Gettysburg

They say "The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain"....BUT Mike and I know it really falls in Gettysburg!!!!!! We had a horrendous storm last night that has carried into today. Lost electric in the wee hours and finally got it back early this AM. But despite the weather it has been an interesting week. We started out at the new visitors center, which has a great display, outlining the civil war from its beginning, and of course focusing on the Battle of Gettysburg. Next came the driving tour..which takes you through each day of the battle..close to 1400 monuments and markers dot the landscape of the 6,000 acre battlefield..165,000 soldiers fought here and more than 51,000 were either injured or killed...it is unimaginable, to see where and how these men fought, and the question that runs through my mind is "what about the civilians caught up in this town " when you look at the fields of battle....they run through farms and lands that were occupied by the townsfolk...Unfortunately, not much has ever been written or followed through on that aspect of the war. We spent a day wandering through the downtown area, and seeing many of the buildings that are still standing from that era. Mike took me to dinner at Dobbins House, a wonderful period restaurant, that was the home of the Reverend Dobbins and his 2 wives and 19 children!!!! It was also one of the stops on the underground railroad for fleeing slaves, and during the battle served as a hospital for both Union and Confederate troops. We are camping at Artillery Ridge Campground, which was actually the rear of the Union lines, and it is the home of the National riding stables...and before you ask NO WE DID NOT RIDE THE HORSIES!!!!!!
Tomorrow we head back to Biglerville to get the tire replaced...and hopefully that will be accomplished with a minimum of angst!!!!! Then off to Kinzers, PA and the Amish countryside..
From the road,
Jan and Mike

Virginia

Mike and I have spent the last 3 weeks meandering through Virginia.Wytheville was our first stop, in the mountains of southwest VA. A beautiful area surrounded by mountains and farm lands that are amazing..We drove through the Jefferson National Forest, named so because Thomas Jefferson's father surveyed the land,he did so with his constant companion Max..that is how the town of Max Meadows got its name..LOL.Okay not really but it makes a great story..:)

We went to Virginia City Gem Mines,and found some great gems, real honkers (worth undetermined but who knows!!!). Next stop was Louisa, where we camped in another of our out of the way places...alright not a field, but pretty close!!!! Mike pups and I went to Monticello, Michie Tavern and Ash Lawn-Highland. But the best stop (at least in my opinion) was the Jefferson Vineyards!!!! Thomas Jefferson brought grapes back from France and started a winery on his property...The grounds are incredible and the wine ,superb. Okay, so I'm becoming a Wino!!!! A trip to Charlottesville, was interesting..it is a college town, having grown up literally around The University of Virginia...Our next and finally stop has been Madison..a small town nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley. Mike took me to the Luray Caverns, I have a suspicion he planned to leave me there..LOL..BUT..they don't allow anyone down without a tour guide..:) To say it is absolutely awesome, only touches on the beauty of the caverns. A drive to the Shenandoah River was a must and we enjoyed watching the lazy river just roll by. Next was a day in Culpeper..a town wrought with Civil War history, and a drive to "Belmont Farm Distillery"..they have the only LEGAL STILL in the United States producing Moonshine!!! The owner Chuck Miller and his wife run the place..it was passed on from his Grandfather. The Still was built in 1933 and is still in use. He took us on a tour and showed Mike how White Lightening is made..Of course Mike is now the proud owner of a bottle of Virginia Lightning Whiskey and a bottle of Kopper Kettle Whiskey, which is aged in barrels for 2 years before bottling. To quote Mike "smooth very smooth"...Today we went to the Madison County fair..what a hoot...Tomorrow we are off to Gettysburg, PA..Oh the furry crew had another meeting and have reached an accord, Dusty chases, the pups run and everyone is happy!!!

From the road

Jan and Mike

Mount Airy, NC

What can one say, when one has been in Andy Griffith land..LOL.. Mt Airy is a small town at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The show Mayberry RFD, was based on this town, as Andy grew up here, it is really quite a hoot!!!! They have all the shops and eateries that were on the show, and many touristy shops where all sorts of memorabilia can be purchased for a price..but of course!!!!! Mike and I and the pups took a stroll along main street and wandered into the "Old North State Winery", which is a working winery in the middle of town. They have a restaurant upstairs, "Scuppernongs", where we had lunch and, yours truly had to do a wine tasting!!!!! Lunch was excellent and they allowed the pups to join us at our table..(in their doggie coach). Saturday took us on a ride to find the "Shelton Vineyards" ( are you getting a trend here..LOL).
What a beautiful spot, the Vineyard opened in 1999, and the area is just amazing. Mike and I enjoyed a wine tasting, and we are now the proud owners of a case of mixed "Shelton Wines", some red, some white. After all we are equal opportunity wine drinkers..:).
Ah, the "Mayberry Campground", what can I say, Mike put me in the middle of a field AGAIN !!!!! But no banjo's, so that was a relief. Actually it's not a bad spot, and it is on the site of the original house where Eng and Chang Bunker, ( the Siamese Twins) lived. The house is still standing and we met one of Eng's great granddaughters. Very nice people and the Campground is still a work in progress.
We are off this morning to Ft. Chiswell, VA...and the adventure continues.
From the road,
Jan and Mike

Meet our traveling Companions

I know, Mike and I have mentioned "the pups", and "the cat" in many of our blogs. We would like to introduce them to everyone. We have Sydney the wonder dog...Misty the pup who could... and of course Princess Dusty, the cat who rules !!!!! Sydney is a longhaired Doxie/Chihuahua mix, who was a rescue. When he joined our family, he wieghed a mere 1 lb 3 oz. Today he is 6 months old and his fighting wieght is 3 lb 8 oz!!!!!!!!!!!! Next is Misty, she is a Purebred longhaired Piebald Doxie. Misty will be 4 months old on July 3rd, she believes she is Sydney's BIG sister and watches his back...Dusty is a grey Barn cat, she has been with us for 7 years, and hasn't decided if she likes having to share her home. At anytime you can find, the dogs rough housing, Dusty swatting the annoying beasts or Mike and I, smiling at the antics. All have been traveling well and enjoying all the new smells and views.

Hope all have enjoyed meeting our family.

From the road

Jan and Mike

Asheville,NC

We spent the last 5 days at Wilson's RV Campground in Asheville. Now Wilson's is not what you (or I) would call a state of the art stop. But the Park backs onto the Broad River, and is a nice place to sit and relax, while watching the kayak's and canoes roll by. No stop in Asheville would be complete without a trip downtown and to the Biltmore area. Mike and I along with the pups, took a walk around the area (Dusty cat opted to stay in the air conditioning..now that's one smart cat!!!). We took off for a day trip to Sheffield Mines, so I could find some more gems, in the car went Mike and I along with the pups, after finding the Mine (not an easy task), we were told there was a 3 hour wait!!!!!!!!..suggest if anyone decides to go,be sure to arrive at 10 am when they open. So not being ones to be put off, we got back on the road and traveled to Cherokee,NC.

Alright now, in the middle of Cherokee, there is a CASINO!!!!!!!!!!!...Harrah's Cherokee, beautiful hotel and great casino. While Mike (bless his heart) entertained the pups, yours truly hit the slot machines. Actually walked away with $300.00!!!!!!! On the ride back to Asheville we took the Blue Ridge Parkway, what an incredible drive. The mountains and the valleys are breathtaking, and the views from the overlooks are amazing. Next day we were off to Black Mountain,NC. A great stop, an old town with great shops, and old architecture. The town is very pet friendly and we actually had lunch , with the pups sitting next to us.

We left Asheville this morning and are in Mt Airy, NC. Tomorrow MAYBERRY!!!!!!!!!!!

From the road

Jan and Mike

Camp Freightliner Gaffney, SC

We spent two days at the Freightliner Service Facility in Gaffney, SC. While there, the motorhome received its first service and Mike attended Camp Freightliner on both days. This was a great experience. It is an intensive and in depth learning experience, and one I highly recommend for anyone that has a motorhome built on a Freighliner chassis. Mike Cody, the instructor for Freightliner, knows the ins and outs of these pieces of equipment and shares it all with the class. Not only is Mike Cody a wealth of knowledge but he is also a great person to be with. The class costs $100.00 but they give you a great lunch each day and in the evening of the first day they invite you and all in your party to a great BBQ dinner catered at the training facility. The additional manual given to each attendee is excellent and follows the course as taught. In addition Mike Cody has a CD that he gives to each attendee that is specific to their chassis that has more information than you ever thought you would want to know.
From the road
Jan and Mike

Gaffney, SC

We have been in Gaffney,SC to get the coach serviced and for Mike to take a course at Frieghtliner. The only tourist attraction in Gaffney is the Peachoid, now what might that be you ask....well, it is a water tower painted to look like a Peach !!!!! We did hit some good eating places, of course we had to try "Harold's" in downtown Gaffney, we had seen it on "Diners,Drive-ins and Dives". It was very good and quite a hoot, its part restaurant, part Bar, part poolhall. The other stop was incredible, "the Highway 11 Restaurant is in Chesnee,SC. Approximately 6 miles West of the Frieghtliner Service area. The food is excellent and portions enormous, the service friendly and with a great southern smile. Gaffney is a stop along the road, not really a destination, however, most of us stop here for service at Frieghtliner ...so we will be back next year or so, to see our friendly service people and eat at Highway 11 once again.

Tomorrow we are off to Asheville, NC...

On the road

Jan and Mike