Well it's race day here in Martinsville. It dawned clear and crisp; should be a great day for a race. We attended the Truck Race yesterday. The track battled the rain all morning, drying the track in between each rain shower. When all was done, the race was only delayed about an hour.
So how did we get here? Our second day in Atlanta, we visited the Aquarium of Georgia. They have a huge central tank filled with various rays, guitar fish, groupers, jacks, barracudas, reef fish and sharks. It is the only aquarium in the world to have Whale Sharks in captivity and they have four. Immense creatures, the Whale sharks dwarf everything else in the tank. Yes, Christy, you can dive with the sharks. It is a 30 minute dive and the aquarium provides everything but a swim suit. We watched a manta ray doing slow lazy loops as if it were some sort of aviator. It is a very well laid out facility with both fresh and salt water varieties of fish, highlighting species from the Amazon River and Lake Malawi. It is certainly worth a visit if you are in the vicinity.
We left Atlanta and headed to Stone Mountain State Park out side of Elkin, N.C. This is not to be confused with Stone Mountain Georgia, a heavily commercialized area on the northeast of Atlanta. Gasoline had been a bit expensive in the Atlanta area ($2.40 gal) and we assumed we would find it a bit cheaper as we cruised north. We had a half tank which was good for close to 200 miles, and I would want a break before then, so off we went. As we drove along, we watched the price climb by nine cents a gallon, but fairly steady around $2.45. Remembering cheap gasoline prices in N.C. we pushed on. Just prior to leaving S.C. we passed a truck stop advertising $2.39, but we saw it too late to stop. Cruising along, watching for gas stations and enjoying the scenery, we watched the fuel gauge slowly drop. Several exit advertised gas, but it was always only one station and never right next to the highway. Finally, I found an exit with two stations. We exited and went towards the first, actually both as they were across the street from each other. The price was $2.55. Bah Humbug, we can find it cheaper. Another six miles down the road (or just under a gallon of travel), I again exited where there were four convenient stations only to see a price of $2.60. To heck with shopping, we just got 15 gallons and hit the road again. A little farther north, we exited onto the state road which would take us towards Stone Mountain SP. About five miles from the SP was a convenience store which sold gasoline at $2.49; time to fill up. When Carol came back from paying the $145 bill, I remembered we needed milk and maybe beer, so I went in to grab the essentials. It is amazing how nice this people were. Maybe it was the big gas sale, but I think they are just friendly.
We spent two nights at Stone Mountain (more on that in another blog). Then it was off to Martinsville. We had tried to get into one campground in the Martinsville area, but it was sold out. The campground owner provided me with a couple of other local campgrounds she thought might have room. The first one we contacted was available and located just 15 minutes east of the track. She gave me directions in the typical style of the south: Com’n from the south, you’ll want to take the 58 bypass towards Danville; now, when the bypass ends it’ll say Martinsville or Danville, you be sure to take it on to Danville; we’s about 12 ta 15 minutes from the track and it’ll be on your left side. Yes ma’am, but I don’t know where the track is. Whell, it’s about 12 ta 15 minutes from here. Yes ma’am, but where exactly is that? Ya’ll never been here before? No ma’am. Whell, you make sure you take the 58 bypass….. Ma’am, do y’all have a sign in the front? Yes, there’s a small sign in the front yard and it’s a brick house. With that, I ended the conversation and hoped for the best.
As we approached Martinsville from the south on Rte 220, it became obvious where the race track is located. It is right where the 220 and the 58 bypass intersect. We stopped to grab a quick bite at a fast food place and get a feel for the area. There were RV’s parked every where. The Nissan dealer offered RV parking. The local residents all offer RV and car parking. The going rate was $150 for the weekend. We opted to check out our campground; it may be a ways off, but it would at least have services. As I dropped onto the 58 bypass, I made a note of the odometer, figuring 12-15 minutes would closely equate to the miles traveled. About five miles after we entered the bypass, it ended with the signs marking directions to either Martinsville or Danville. Now I should tell you that somewhere just prior to here, Carol called the nice lady to see if she could get an actual address and yes they did have one. But not every address is recognized by the GPS, so it didn’t necessarily do us any good, except, we did have a number to look for on “Martinsville Parkway. Off the bypass and onto a four lane with access, we looked for road signs. We were on A.T. Philpott Hwy. But by now we were eight miles along or ten minutes by C’s watch, so we kept going. We passed through the town of Axton, VA, still on Philpott Hwy. About 12 miles into this trek, I was beginning to doubt my directions, when Carol saw the sign in the front yard of a brick home. I got the RV slowed, made the turn, went up the drive and we were there; or, here.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
October 19, 2009 – Things
On our way into Atlanta today, we were listening to the radio. The commentator remarked that he did not have sufficient access to a chalk board and consequently discovered that dry erase markers work on window glass. I began to think about the term “chalk board”. As I recall it was in the late 60’s that the black boards I grew up with were deemed offensive to black people. It became politically correct to refer to the hard black sheet of slate as a chalk board. I never really understood the rational, but I suspect that none was needed. I mean we still had black ink, black pencils, and black keys on the piano, but now we had chalk boards. Chalk boards were messy. There were always erasers full of chalk dust, sitting in the chalk tray also filled with chalk dust. Your hands got chalky and the dust got all over your clothes.
It took a while, but the chalk board was replaced by another writing surface. A surface that was easier to keep clean. This surface that could be written on with a plethora of colors that came in pens that never broke or became too short to use. This surface could also be used as a screen for overhead projectors or movies. And by what name do we identify this modern marvel? Of course, we call it a “White Board”. It’s only appropriate.
We are going to visit the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Carol was reading the AAA Guide Book entry on the aquarium to see the particulars. Along with the hours and the costs, they list items which are prohibited in the aquarium. Most of the prohibited items are typical: no outside food or beverages and no gum, each understandable. But it was interesting that guns, knives, matches and lighters are verboten as are fishing poles. Fishing poles at the aquarium? Did Zeke wander in one day with a spinning rod and reel looking to hook a thresher shark on a treble hooked feathered popper bug? Imagine that conversation with the gate guard. I guess if you can’t have a fishing pole you really don’t need the matches or lighter. No sense bringing that camp stove either.
We don’t know where to next. Last week we bought tickets to the NASCAR race at Martinsville, VA this coming weekend. We get to see both the truck race on Saturday and the Sprint car race on Sunday. Tomorrow morning, we will have to check to see about staying another day. The bigger problem is going to be finding a campground within commuting distance of Martinsville. O well, K sirah, sirah.
It took a while, but the chalk board was replaced by another writing surface. A surface that was easier to keep clean. This surface that could be written on with a plethora of colors that came in pens that never broke or became too short to use. This surface could also be used as a screen for overhead projectors or movies. And by what name do we identify this modern marvel? Of course, we call it a “White Board”. It’s only appropriate.
We are going to visit the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Carol was reading the AAA Guide Book entry on the aquarium to see the particulars. Along with the hours and the costs, they list items which are prohibited in the aquarium. Most of the prohibited items are typical: no outside food or beverages and no gum, each understandable. But it was interesting that guns, knives, matches and lighters are verboten as are fishing poles. Fishing poles at the aquarium? Did Zeke wander in one day with a spinning rod and reel looking to hook a thresher shark on a treble hooked feathered popper bug? Imagine that conversation with the gate guard. I guess if you can’t have a fishing pole you really don’t need the matches or lighter. No sense bringing that camp stove either.
We don’t know where to next. Last week we bought tickets to the NASCAR race at Martinsville, VA this coming weekend. We get to see both the truck race on Saturday and the Sprint car race on Sunday. Tomorrow morning, we will have to check to see about staying another day. The bigger problem is going to be finding a campground within commuting distance of Martinsville. O well, K sirah, sirah.
October 19, 2009 – It’s Good For What Ales Ya!
A while back, when we were in Bar Harbor, we visited a brewery. While there we bought some root beer, a six pack of their “Real Ale”, some blueberry soda and a six pack of their “Blueberry Ale”. Over the course of our travels, we partook of the Real Ale and the Blueberry Ale. We gave Christy some root beer on our last visit. We had yet to crack open a blueberry soda. Somewhere else, possibly VA or NC, we bought some blueberry ripple ice cream on a grocery shopping trip. It was still in the freezer.
We stopped for a pizza dinner on our way home from the “World of Coca-Cola” museum today. With the excess pizza boxed, the bill paid, the tip left, we were back on the road to the campground. Carol commented we had enough ice cream left to fix a couple of Blueberry floats. That sounded really good; blueberry ripple ice cream with blueberry soda. Once home, I grabbed a bottle from where we had the sodas in storage and brought it into the coach. Carol, returning from walking with Spice, saw the bottle and placed it into the freezer to cool it down quickly. I gave it about 15 minutes then grabbed the ice cream and the now cold bottle to make floats. Two glasses, two scoops of ice cream in each, pop open the bottle and began to pour. As the concoction foamed up in the first glass, I began to pour the second. With both of them foamed, I sipped some of the foam off the first. It didn’t have the blueberry taste I expected. I gave the bottle a quick glance with part of thumb blocking the label. It says “blueberry”, it must be “OK”. I poured some more into the first and then sipped some foam from the second. Again, there was that strange taste. I reexamined the bottle’s label. What I assumed my thumb had covered was the word soda. On second look, the word was Ale. I had just made to Blueberry Ale floats. And if you have any doubts then let me reassure you: Ale and ice cream do not, DO NOT, go together. It was now painfully obvious that we had not consumed all of the Blueberry Ale. Armed with a real soda, we drained the ale off of the ice cream and replaced it with the soda. The soda was sufficiently strong to over ride the flavor of the ale, so no harm done. Other then a good ale went to waste.
We stopped for a pizza dinner on our way home from the “World of Coca-Cola” museum today. With the excess pizza boxed, the bill paid, the tip left, we were back on the road to the campground. Carol commented we had enough ice cream left to fix a couple of Blueberry floats. That sounded really good; blueberry ripple ice cream with blueberry soda. Once home, I grabbed a bottle from where we had the sodas in storage and brought it into the coach. Carol, returning from walking with Spice, saw the bottle and placed it into the freezer to cool it down quickly. I gave it about 15 minutes then grabbed the ice cream and the now cold bottle to make floats. Two glasses, two scoops of ice cream in each, pop open the bottle and began to pour. As the concoction foamed up in the first glass, I began to pour the second. With both of them foamed, I sipped some of the foam off the first. It didn’t have the blueberry taste I expected. I gave the bottle a quick glance with part of thumb blocking the label. It says “blueberry”, it must be “OK”. I poured some more into the first and then sipped some foam from the second. Again, there was that strange taste. I reexamined the bottle’s label. What I assumed my thumb had covered was the word soda. On second look, the word was Ale. I had just made to Blueberry Ale floats. And if you have any doubts then let me reassure you: Ale and ice cream do not, DO NOT, go together. It was now painfully obvious that we had not consumed all of the Blueberry Ale. Armed with a real soda, we drained the ale off of the ice cream and replaced it with the soda. The soda was sufficiently strong to over ride the flavor of the ale, so no harm done. Other then a good ale went to waste.
October 18, 2009 – Headed South
It was awesome. At first we didn’t know what it was. We couldn’t understand why it was so light, and then we saw it. A large orb in the sky, it was bright orange or maybe yellow and so bright. It hurt to look at it directly. And warmth, it actually made you feel warm. Yes, the sun had returned; the clouds and rain are vanquished for at least a couple of days.
We buttoned up the coach and headed south towards Atlanta. Given the choice of using an interstate or a U.S. Hwy, we chose the latter. It was a very nice drive giving us a good impression of southeastern TN and northern GA. The traffic was light and the speed was easy. It’s fun to not have to hurry.
We got a campsite at Allatoona Landing Campground. It is on the shores of Lake Allatoona and adjacent to the Allatoona Pass Battleground. Once settled in, we went to visit the battleground. I expected a couple of memorial stones describing the battle and participants. We were surprised. The battle of Allatoona Pass took place after the fall of Atlanta to the Union troops. The Atlantic and Western RR ran through the Allatoona Pass and was a major supply route for the Union troops. The pass was guarded by a Union force of approximately 900. The Confederates, retreating from Atlanta, elected to attack the Union force and destroy the railway. The Confederates were unaware of two significant changes which took place just hours prior to their attack. First, the garrison had been reinforced with over two thousand additional troops. And second, the troops had the new Henry repeating rifles. In the end, the Confederates fled, but only after massive casualties on each side. It is considered one of the most ferocious battles of the Civil War. The State of Georgia has done a marvelous job in maintaining the park, the trail through the battle ground and the signage.
We buttoned up the coach and headed south towards Atlanta. Given the choice of using an interstate or a U.S. Hwy, we chose the latter. It was a very nice drive giving us a good impression of southeastern TN and northern GA. The traffic was light and the speed was easy. It’s fun to not have to hurry.
We got a campsite at Allatoona Landing Campground. It is on the shores of Lake Allatoona and adjacent to the Allatoona Pass Battleground. Once settled in, we went to visit the battleground. I expected a couple of memorial stones describing the battle and participants. We were surprised. The battle of Allatoona Pass took place after the fall of Atlanta to the Union troops. The Atlantic and Western RR ran through the Allatoona Pass and was a major supply route for the Union troops. The pass was guarded by a Union force of approximately 900. The Confederates, retreating from Atlanta, elected to attack the Union force and destroy the railway. The Confederates were unaware of two significant changes which took place just hours prior to their attack. First, the garrison had been reinforced with over two thousand additional troops. And second, the troops had the new Henry repeating rifles. In the end, the Confederates fled, but only after massive casualties on each side. It is considered one of the most ferocious battles of the Civil War. The State of Georgia has done a marvelous job in maintaining the park, the trail through the battle ground and the signage.
October 17, 2009 – Shorts and Fires
Just an observation, but Carol and I do not seem as hearty as our campground neighbors. Several of them keep a campfire going from daybreak to bedtime. With the fire going, they will sit or stand around the fire in their shorts and jackets. Understand also, it’s raining here. The attitude seems to be: yeah, I got me a 30 foot trailer with all the bells and whistles, but I’m camping, so here I am in the rain with a fire and I’m not goin’ in till I have to!
Yesterday, we ventured into Maryville to see the vet. When that chore was completed, we drove into town and found the fall festival. There were a lot of vendors with their tents and wares. The usually “stuff” that you see at every “festival”. I had found a parking spot and we, with Spice on lead, went to see what was what. It wasn’t crowded as it was Friday, early afternoon. Carol checked out several of the stalls as we easily moved through the area. Several people stopped to pet Spice. One official looking woman asked Carol if Spice was a service dog. It seems that dogs were not allowed. There weren’t any signs or indications that we could find issuing the prohibition, but having been asked to leave, we complied. Maybe it is the rain, but I haven’t seen any thing positive about this area.
We grabbed a bite to eat and then tried to find a visitors’ center in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. We wanted to get a map of the hiking trails hoping the sun would be out today (news flash – it didn’t happen). After fifteen minutes and seven miles of bumper to bumper traffic and somewhat unsure of where we were, I bailed. There was a turnout, so I took advantage of it. We didn’t have a detailed map and the best we could discern was there are two visitors’ centers: one in Cades Cove, about 15 miles south of where we enter the park; and at Gatlinburg, about 15 miles north of the entrance. Having seen an information station in Townsend, we elected to retreat and regroup.
Back in Townsend, the information station had all that we wanted. While Carol did a little shopping, I spoke with the ranger. He said it has been an incredibly busy year with virtually no let up. The visitor traffic certainly didn’t give any indication of any economic slump. And I’m thinking, why live with this big park in your back yard, if you can only use it with a couple thousand of your best friends? One of the problems is the terrain of the park limits access points. With limited access and limited trails, it just winds up congested with people. Yosemite in the spring and summer is a probable comparison. Having acquired the much desired trail map, we headed home for dinner, football/NASCAR and to listen to the rain.
This morning dawned cold, overcast and misting. After breakfast we took a four mile walk, but elected to just walk the trail into Townsend. It wasn’t exciting, but we didn’t have to fight traffic, automotive or pedestrian. We’ve decided, tomorrow we’re off to Atlanta. But we’re coming back to Virginia later this week.
Yesterday, we ventured into Maryville to see the vet. When that chore was completed, we drove into town and found the fall festival. There were a lot of vendors with their tents and wares. The usually “stuff” that you see at every “festival”. I had found a parking spot and we, with Spice on lead, went to see what was what. It wasn’t crowded as it was Friday, early afternoon. Carol checked out several of the stalls as we easily moved through the area. Several people stopped to pet Spice. One official looking woman asked Carol if Spice was a service dog. It seems that dogs were not allowed. There weren’t any signs or indications that we could find issuing the prohibition, but having been asked to leave, we complied. Maybe it is the rain, but I haven’t seen any thing positive about this area.
We grabbed a bite to eat and then tried to find a visitors’ center in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. We wanted to get a map of the hiking trails hoping the sun would be out today (news flash – it didn’t happen). After fifteen minutes and seven miles of bumper to bumper traffic and somewhat unsure of where we were, I bailed. There was a turnout, so I took advantage of it. We didn’t have a detailed map and the best we could discern was there are two visitors’ centers: one in Cades Cove, about 15 miles south of where we enter the park; and at Gatlinburg, about 15 miles north of the entrance. Having seen an information station in Townsend, we elected to retreat and regroup.
Back in Townsend, the information station had all that we wanted. While Carol did a little shopping, I spoke with the ranger. He said it has been an incredibly busy year with virtually no let up. The visitor traffic certainly didn’t give any indication of any economic slump. And I’m thinking, why live with this big park in your back yard, if you can only use it with a couple thousand of your best friends? One of the problems is the terrain of the park limits access points. With limited access and limited trails, it just winds up congested with people. Yosemite in the spring and summer is a probable comparison. Having acquired the much desired trail map, we headed home for dinner, football/NASCAR and to listen to the rain.
This morning dawned cold, overcast and misting. After breakfast we took a four mile walk, but elected to just walk the trail into Townsend. It wasn’t exciting, but we didn’t have to fight traffic, automotive or pedestrian. We’ve decided, tomorrow we’re off to Atlanta. But we’re coming back to Virginia later this week.
October 17, 2009 – Awnings
It took me a while to adapt, but I think I have. Prior to this trip, our camping experiences have generally been in areas with the potential for high winds. Consequently, the awning has been used only sporadically as a sun shade. And, with the uncertainty of the wind, leaving the awning out while you were away from the coach was always a risk. There is nothing more discouraging then returning to find your awning with its arms wrapped across the roof of the coach.
In our travels, I’ve found that you can use the awning to keep the rain away from the door. What a concept. The awning is just not for shade, it can help keep things dry when you’re camped. There hasn’t been any wind of concern, so the awning is out and stays out until we’re ready to leave. The one chore associated with this practice is sweeping the leaves off the awning prior to storing it. But it is a small price to pay for the comfort of a dry stoop.
In our travels, I’ve found that you can use the awning to keep the rain away from the door. What a concept. The awning is just not for shade, it can help keep things dry when you’re camped. There hasn’t been any wind of concern, so the awning is out and stays out until we’re ready to leave. The one chore associated with this practice is sweeping the leaves off the awning prior to storing it. But it is a small price to pay for the comfort of a dry stoop.
Friday, October 16, 2009
October 16, 2009 – Just When You Think it Can’t Get Any Bladder
Spice has been displaying some strange symptoms with regard to her “lady squats”. When we would walk her, she would usually give the grass a good watering and then be ready for an extended walk. But lately, she has been squatting several times after her initial effort, usually with no results. Yesterday morning, the intrepid Carol, armed with a paper towel, did a blot check on Spice’s watering spot and found blood in her urine. Bummer! We inquired about finding a vet when we checked in at KOA and made an appointment for today.
The vet is located in Maryville (pronounced Marvil), which is good as we want to see the town. We were checked in and seated in the waiting room when the vet tech asked if she might get a urine sample from Spice. The vet tech, Carol and Spice are all the same gender, so I thought it best, they conduct this sampling without me. The three of them ventured out to the parking lot; the vet tech armed with what appeared to be a fast food French fry tray. Within minutes they returned. The smiling vet tech commenting on what a “good sample” she got.
The outcome is, most probable, Spice has a bladder infection. The other possibility is bladder stones. And most remote is bladder cancer. The vet put Spice on antibiotics and told us to watch her “habits”. We should see a change back toward normal shortly. If we don’t see a change, we should get her X-rayed for stones.
The vet is located in Maryville (pronounced Marvil), which is good as we want to see the town. We were checked in and seated in the waiting room when the vet tech asked if she might get a urine sample from Spice. The vet tech, Carol and Spice are all the same gender, so I thought it best, they conduct this sampling without me. The three of them ventured out to the parking lot; the vet tech armed with what appeared to be a fast food French fry tray. Within minutes they returned. The smiling vet tech commenting on what a “good sample” she got.
The outcome is, most probable, Spice has a bladder infection. The other possibility is bladder stones. And most remote is bladder cancer. The vet put Spice on antibiotics and told us to watch her “habits”. We should see a change back toward normal shortly. If we don’t see a change, we should get her X-rayed for stones.
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