Steven and Betty RV Adventures

Mt Airy, NC. We came up here for the summer to cool off. Yesterday was typical, heat index of 96 degrees. It seems the whole country is very hot this summer.

Friday and yesterday were laundry days, so we stayed inside as much as possible. We had hoped to get exercise this summer by hiking or at least walking, but we keep inside as much as possible. It was even hot inside church today.

On Wednesday Mary Ann Hayes arrived in town here. She is an old friend who also lives in St Augustine but travels to see friends and relatives in the summer. It was mid-afternoon, so much of Mt Airy's Main Street was soon to close. It was hot, so walking along the sidewalks was not much fun, so we slipped into any shops that were still open.

One place that was still open was an embroidery shop. We got to witness a job in process on the automated machines. It was only one small job embroidering the front of hats. We have seen it when it was full of activity.

CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Two Machines Stitching Away

Closeup of Stitching

Finished Product

We also stopped into a shop for a cold drink and to cool off. All the rest was window shopping. We showed her Floyd's Barbershop, with the Hall of Fame in the window. The Snappy Lunch was already closed.

We got dinner at the local 13 Bones restaurant, which specializes in baby back ribs. Very good! Mary Ann wanted to see our motorhome, so we drove her by to see it. We also drove around the campground showing her all the different kinds of RVs that are here, including some 45 foot motorhomes.

Mary Ann and Betty in Front of Our Motorhome

The following morning we both drove to Old Salem, with Mary Ann following us. She was going to continue on afterward to see friends in Greensboro, NC.

It was a return visit to Old Salem for us. This time we got tickets for entry to some of the craft exhibits.

In addition, we were there early enough this time to visit the local Moravian church that is still in use. We placed photos of the exterior in the blog last year. One of the church members also serves as a guide for visitors to see the interior of the church.

Betty and Mary Ann Speak to Our Guide

Panorama of Pulpit and Choir Area

Our Guide Leads the Discussion

Panorama of Rear of Church

Windows Upper Left Facing Choir Area

The window on the left above is significant due to its reference to the inspiration of the founding of the Moravian Church, Jan Hus. I wrote much about this last year in this blog. Below is a closeup of the bottom of that window. Note that they Anglicize Jan's first name.

Our guide was able to use a computerized organ playing program to play a couple of hymns for us. Here is a sample below.

Some of the literature provided at the entry of the church is displayed below.

Click on the video below to enjoy the 251st Easter Sunrise Service of the Moravian Church. Click on the symbol to enlarge the screen. Highly recommended!

Following is the church bulletin from the prior Sunday's service.

Next we visited the Bakery, which also is a free exhibit, since they also sell baked goods (at an elevated price).

Colonial Bakery

Closeup of Colonial Oven

We next visited the Pottery Shop, which now is located in the basement of the old Single Brothers House along with the Weavers Shop.

There was a worship room for the young men, with its own pipe organ.

Mary Ann Photographs the Old Pipe Organ

Young Men's Music Room

Young Men's Sick Room

The young men's dormitories are located upstairs. The entrance to those stairs was roped off.

The stairway down to the basement was too forbidding for Mary Ann, who elected to pass on going down.

Stairway Down to Basement

Pottery Reenactor at Pottery Wheel

Betty Watching Potter at Work

Finished Pottery

Then we moved over to the Weaver's Shop.

Spinner at the Wheel

Since the Joiner's Shop (cabinet maker) was in the opposite direction in the village, we decided to make a stop at the old cemetery. I wrote much about this in last year's blog.

The cemetery is a short block away from the church.