North & South Carolina

Sept 19 - 22.…We day in Mt. Airy, NC was fun. The much of the town is a replica of Mayberry from the Andy Griffith show. “Mayberry Days” are this weekend so we were able to catch the preparations for that. Our first stop was to the emporium where there is a big display of memorabilia. This display is owned by Emmit Forester, a good friend and classmate of Andy’s. He happened to be there so we talked with him at length. Remember Emmits Fix-It Shop & truck on the show? -- well he was the Emmit (however he didn’t own a fix-it shop). He said that Andy’s wife had just called him that morning as Andy had hip surgery and she was calling to give an update. He told us several stories about his days in Mt. Airy and his singing and acting career! It was really quite interesting. From there we walked down the historic town. We had lunch at “Snappy Lunch” referred to by Andy on the show - they are famous for their “pork chop sandwich’. Of course that is what we had - it was a bargin at $3.65. Next door is “Floyd’s City Barbershop”. The owner, who looks like the Floyd from the show was busy working. He’s working with all the original equipment from the 50’s/60’s - no update made there! Down the street was Sheriffs office/jail, squad car and “Walley’s Service Station” complete with the tow trucks! Last stop was Andy’s home (now a bed and breakfast). His family lived there until 1966 when he moved them to CA. Andy lived in this home until he went to CA.

Next stop - Gaffney , SC and the Freightliner Oasis Service Center. It was time for our initial maintenance on the motor home. We were able to park & stay in the motor home on Tue and Wed nights in their lot. They even had electric hookups. While there Dixie had to find a doctor - had a bad itchy rash/hives for 10 days. The Dr. thought it was Poison Oak (guess it happened on our hike in PA). After a steroid shot and more steroid pills it’s finally starting to get better. Still looks bad - not a part of the body that is not covered with red dots/bumps!

Today we are off to Ft. Bragg, NC to see Katherine and the Grandkids. Brandon is still off speaking to different groups around the USA. He hopes to be back around the 28th. We will hopefully be able to see him before we have to leave.