Then and now….

I enjoy coming to this part of the country. Some parts take me back.  I liked the stories of mama and dad talking about some tough times, plowing and planting using the mules, and times that they did not know were hard because they were in the same boat with thousands of others.
I remember an uncle who talked about hearing about a poor family that lived on the same road on which they lived, he learned it was his family .
The Amish (as a whole) are not poor by any measurement, but they do live and work in a world that matches life over 70-100 years ago.


The farms in this area are impressive, but so are the farms in Ohio, Indiana and most states. It is just the fact that in this area you may happen by a field still being plowed by horse or mule.


The Amish go to town and travel by buggy or wagon as most folk know.

We were hoping that corn was already for the market and it is. They pull one of these trailers in and within an hour or less, it is empty.  Today they sold for 13 ears for $3.

We also bought peaches and blue berries.


We had another mission today, try to get tickets to see Moses. So we drove to Sight and Sound Theater where Moses is playing.

Sherry as we head in to find out they are sold out for the next three weeks.


Inside they have this 12’ likeness of Moses.

When we first started passing thru Sight and sound was a small local production. Now it is huge and also big in Branson, MO.  The plays and stories are good even if one is not a believer.
The first play we saw in the big theater was Noah, and it was good. I had never seen a huge production, I was impressed,
Okay, Sherry lets me cook sometimes. She says, “You are good at that!” (She majored in psychology). I came home shucked two ears of corn, cut it off the cob and cooked it, to add to the left over veggie soup.  We had to eat some before adding it.

MMMM good.

I made a fruit bowl to snack on.  Then for dessert we had corn on the cob. Ever do it in the shucks in the microwave? Easy as pie and no silks. Four minutes per ear.

My kind of dessert!
Thanks for coming this way.
Nite Shipslog
PS:
We will be tourists for two days then off.
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I don’t know what it is, but I am sure it is one of the Big girl toys.

Friends and this area is great

Truth known, some of our best friends are in this area. When we pass thru we usually lean on them and visit. This time we will just relax and not bother anyone.  We know folks have their own lives and many times we interrupt. Our life style (away from homeport) is a free-style.  We do not like for folks to feel obligated to entertain us.

(Joan and Dan took us to Wheatland, the home of President Buchanan just a few block from where they live. What a great tour. They also took us to the Harley Davidson Factory.)

Dan and Joan, who live here in town, are friends from the USN. Dan was my boss and a great guy. We fished  and had  family outings together. Joan taught Sherry to swim and cook some fabulous ‘lasagna’, it has been a hit at our family get together for years.  Dan was one of the best as a boss. He became an officer leaving the enlisted ranks.

One story that always sticks out. Sherry and Joan were in Key West before Dan & I. they went down to the festival called the “Blessing of the Fleet”. The girls were touring a shrimp boat when they found themselves on a boat underway. They rode the boat thru the blessings before returning to shore.

Dallas and Marian are friends from 1956. I met Dal in USMC Boot Camp and we became good friends at Camp Geiger, NC. Dallas and I could spend hours talking about our girl friends, and our plans to marry.  We both did marry and our wives became life long friends. We do visit at times, but are mostly phone and card exchanging friends.

Lots of stories between the two families, and I know if I really needed something, either guy would be there.  I think that is something of which to be proud.

Friends? You are fortunate if you know someone like these guys.

The Amish bicycle. They do not believe in the pedals and gear arrangement. It is propelled like a scooter, pushing with one leg. Of course below is the chosen transportation of the Amish.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

I am not sure what veggies are in season here, but I hope one is corn.

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1928 Studebaker President. Sister Shirl had a ‘38 president methinks.

VA to PA & Jennie Wade

(Everyone knows the lady, no,she is not Jennie Wade, But what is the kid’s name on the wall? The date on the picture is almost a year ago, Picture taken in Nebraska!)

Leaving Lexington, VA  is the burial place of Stonewall Jackson. Washington and Lee University and VMI.  Much to see and do here, but we did the tourist thing here as we hiked the AT in this area. yeah, we hiked those Mts.

This is beautiful country of course and we enjoy every mile of it. And as was mentioned before, it is fun to look over at the Shenandoah's and know we walked that mountain range. The trail runs parallel with the Skyline drive and crosses it many times. It is a beautiful walk or drive.  Going South west the Skyline Drive becomes the Blue Ridge Parkway.

My girl reads her Bible a lot (You can’t blame her with my driving. She also has a prayer list, you may be on it.)

(Leaving W. VA into Maryland)

There was a couple funny incidents. I was about 70 yrs old when we hiked thru here and camped at one of the state parks. I learned what a hammered dulcimer is. I heard it all my life but did not know it was played with small wooden hammers. The guy we camped beside, made  and played them.

Then one day we were on a very narrow trail and thick brush on either side, Sherry leading. She sees a huge Buck with at least 12-15 points walking toward her. She turned to me and said, “What do I do?” Of being brave and behind her, I said, “Keep on walking.”  she did and when he got about 10 feet from her he flatfooted jumped the brush on the side of the trail, and walked off mad.  I got a tough wife, huh?

The other thing was as we walked casually on a fairly  clear area with some under growth. Sherry pointed to her right, just a few feet off the  trail and there lay a Doe, she did not jump up but just watched us go by like we were on display.

Pennsylvania is an absolutely beautiful state. We hiked thru PA (below are two hikers and their dog just off the Appalachian Trail where it crosses hwy #30.

This my friends is the site of an American Tragedy.  This starts the area of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Having been here several times, I know this field. it is south of #30. at the very far end is where hundreds of North Carolina men came to die, and die they did.

The Civil War.  Proof that politicians cannot be statesmen and discuss their differences and come to a rational end. We killed more or our own than have died in any war outside our borders.

Downtown Gettysburg where Jennie Wade lived. She baked bread and served bread and water on the line to the Union soldiers. Jennie was killed in the kitchen, and was the only civilian casualty of the battle.

Crossing the famous Susquehanna River.  To get to our latest home for a few days, Lancaster.

The Shenandoah's and the Great Smoky Mountains each have about 100 miles of Appalachian Trail. The Shenandoah’s are the easiest because there is a lot or Ridge running instead of up and down mountains.

If our experience is any indicator, there are more Bears in the Smoky’s but more deer and other wild life in the Shenandoah’s.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Today was a good day. Also, Hikers say Pennsylvania is where boots come to die. The rocks are tough on shoes.

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Pretty Mercury 1955-57

Head ‘em up, Move ‘em out!

This morning was a leisure break in camp.  No hurry because we only plan on traveling 2-300 miles today.

The coach is out from under her cover and Sherry is backing it in place for me to hook it up for towing.

I tell you, when a person dies (or leaves) the body ain’t cold before someone wants your parking spot. Mark has already backed his truck under the carport

Saying good by to his mama.  Shirl also came over but I did not have camera in hand. She  brought  some bugs (off her squash) and some jokes. for our traveling entertainment.

I have made a spot for Stella’s entertainment stuff: Clicking lawnmower, red wagon, bike and her Disney characters. She will be living here when we pass back thru headed for Florida. (To the left is Luke’s Studio efficiency)

Car is ready to tow. all umbilical's loose, step in, Antenna down…..

And we are on the road….My captain Bear and Sailor jack leading the way on the dash.
I bought cherries for the trip. I love cherries in season, and they are easy to eat as you drive.

Leaving NC on I-77 into Virginia some great valley views.

As always scanning for a great view or a classic car.  Barns are also a ‘thing’ of mine.  I love rustic or distinctly different ones.

Looking down at another bridge over the New River.

All of a sudden the traffic came to a crawl So I had a chance to snap a dam I had never seen traveling this road.

Below is the point where we crossed under    I-77 to get get over to the Shenandoah's. If you look closely you will see a white blaze on the telephone pole in the center. The white blaze marks the AT.

Oh the hold up for about 15 miles we traveled at less than 10mph. Here is the blockage.

Those look like chicken cages, but they were for turkeys.  Evidently the driver lost control they had brought in a crane to try to right things. I hate to see these things, you know a lot of folks days are ruined. Just hope there were no one injured badly.

We drove only 250 miles, coming to rest in Lexington, VA.  Home of The Virginia Military Institute.

There was definitely time to relax at 5 mph. This is our home for the night.

As I have said before, there are NO bad views or ‘uninteresting’ drives. We love them all whether plains, desert, coastal or mountains, there is always ‘that’ part of the trip that says, man this is it.

We consider every trip an adventure, so this trip to the northeast is one more.

Thanks for coming along with us, I love the company.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Although we have traveled these same roads many times, the NC and VA mountains are always a thrill.

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We enjoyed one of these, except ours was pink (or earth) and white.  Also a great family car.

We were passed by Hendricks racing team. I could have taken them easily, but I did not want to show off, they might need another driver soon.