Bill and Barb … where to next?

Today was a travel day into Virginia. It’s a very scenic drive but,,, being the nervous passenger I am,,, a bit scary.  The mountains are very high especially through Fancy Gap in VA and then through the Shenandoah Valley but, saw a lot of cows which made me happy! 🐃🐄🐂

We arrived at Candy Hill Campground in Winchester, VA finally. This is the CG we always stop at. It’s close to I-81, clean and friendly. The sites are level and big.

Relaxed and rested up this afternoon/evening.  Took some time to talk to my plants and give them some lov’n (yep… know I’m crazy).

Today ended with a shower and a beautiful rainbow. Yes, life is good.  Looking forward to visiting with my Aunt Helen tomorrow.

Wow!  That was a quick 2 weeks in North Carolina.  So happy to have been here.  Learned more of our way around Denver, Mooresville, Charlotte, Concord, Kannapolis and Lincolnton (as well as all the other little towns we went through).  So much to love about this area … so many people to love in this area.  Tomorrow ~ Virginia to visit Aunt Helen.

Today Bill & I went for lunch in Denver to “Untouchables Burgers Bakers”.  We had the pizza/salad bar buffet.  Had plenty of pizza, hot wings, soups and salad available.  Not as good as Hungry Howie’s in Florida; but, it was ok.

After lunch we drove to downtown Lincolnton.  This was an older sort of quaint little town.  It was the site of the first textile mill built in NC.  It was the first cotton mill built south of the Potomac River.  Cotton processing became a major industry in this area.

Better yet though, they had this neat little dairy bar that served real New Orleans style SnoBalls.  “Pelican’s SnoBalls” have over 100 flavors to choose from.  I had cream cheese flavor topped with vanilla cream and Bill had coffee flavor topped with vanilla cream.  Soooooo  delicious!  I highly recommend this place for all visitors to the area!

What better way to end our visit!  Thank you North Carolina for your southern hospitality, your famed Nascar country, your southern drawls, your rich history, the Cove Church and delicious foods!  More over, thank you Ray-Ray and Pam for accommodating us and our RV.  Having 50 amp and water was great! We both will miss you and,,, Bill will surely miss “Thunder, Boots & Lucky”.

P.S. Ray-Ray is still in Washington D.C. at Rolling Thunder.  ‘Have seen many photos he has posted online.  Has been a very moving and emotional weekend for him I’m sure.  Safe travels back to NC tomorrow Ray-Ray.  Loving you forever and always.  XOXO

A day late on the blog as deferred by events of yesterday evening.

Yesterday started out enjoyably.  We first took a ride into the countryside and came across “Murray’s Mill” in Catawba.  Preserved intact was the 1913 mill itself, the 1890s Murray & Minges General Store, the 1880s Wheathouse and the 1913 John Murray House.

              

From Catawba, we traveled to Claremont and found the “Bunker Hill Covered Bridge”.  It is one of two covered bridges left in NC.  It is nestled in the woods along a foot path.

        

  “I spy with my little eye …….”   this “TINY” “LITTLE” frog  along the path.  It was about the size of my thumbnail!!  I’ve never seen anything so little!

                                                                            

The afternoon ended well and we grilled up some chicken breast with sweet potatoes and steamed green beans.

And then,,,,, Bill had an accident.  He was checking the tire pressure in the the motorhome and bumped the top of his head on the slideout.  Of course he bled profusely and, being on blood thinners, more blood than probably should have been.  So off to the ER we went.  They did a Cat Scan and put staples in his head which, apparently, was quite a painful process.

                                

Today we met up with some relatives from Northfield, CT who arrived yesterday for the Nascar Coca Cola 600 this weekend.  We had a great breakfast at their camper and enjoyed seeing them again  (been 8 months).

We took them to DEI (Dale Earnhardt Inc) to see the museum.

 

We then all went to Charlotte for “Speed Street”.  Lots of vendors. Lots of Nascar driver cars.  Lots of music.  Lots of food.  LOTS of people!

 Tonight Bill had to go back to the ER and have a followup Cat Scan to ensure no post process hemorrage.  All is good!

 

 

Today we visited Hendrick Motors.  We followed Jeff Gordon since he was a rookie so only fitting we visited there. Driver # 24 is now Chase Elliot.  Other drivers are Dale Earnhardt, Jimmy Johnson and Kasey Kahne.

There is a memorial pool in front of the complex in tribute to the ten Hendrick folks who lost their lives in a plane crash in VA in October of 2004. Very impressive.

From there we headed over to Joe Gibbs Racing in Huntersville.  Home of Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Carl Edwards.

We also experienced “Bojangles” for lunch. Had some of that awsome southern style fried chicken!

Back to the RV for a little R & R.  Ray returned from his business trip and Pam grilled up some ribeyes along with taters and corn on the cob. Delicious! Thanks Pam!

Tomorrow, Ray heads to Washington DC for “Rolling Thunder”.  Safe travels Ray-Ray (and “watch that center line”). Lov’n you always!

 

 

Today we went to the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte.  The USNWC’s 1100 acres offers a wide variety of outdoor activities for all ages and skill levels. Guests can enjoy whitewater rafting and kayaking, flatwater kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, rock climbing, zip lines, ropes courses, a canopy tour, and mountain biking on our 25+ mile trail system.  It’s an awsome place to visit!

 Here we both are on the Zip line!  I’m the one waving to Bill!

And, here we are rafting.  I’m the one in the wall!  Bill did awsome!  I didn’t!

This facility is where the olympians train as well.  While there we had some lunch and refreshment while we watched other rafters go by.

Bill decided to try his luck at rock climbing.

He started out with the most difficult ledge to climb and did great!!

After our day on the courses, we met Pam at “Shiki Four Seasons Restaurant” in Mooresville.  Had an awsome suppah and brought home leftovers as well!

  Back at the RV….. Bill is still having his fun with “Thunder, Boots & Lucky” while I helped Pam with some special cards she’s making!    So, that was our day!  Ray-Ray will be back tomorrow.  Looking forward to seeing him again.  He leaves this weekend to join millions of other motorcycle riders at “Rolling Thunder ~ Ride for Freedom” in Washington D.C.  Won’t see him once he leaves as we hit the road again early Monday morning for our trek further north.

P.S. For all you gullible folks who were excited to see Bill and I zipping and rafting …. we “didn’t” do any of that!  Still have fear and needed more encouragement.  Just kidding y’all!  Maybe next time!!  🙂

 

We started the day yesterday by going to Team Penske garage. This is home to Joey Logano, Brad Keslowski, Kurt Busch and David Blaney. They have an overhead catwalk where you can walk above the garage area and watch the mechanics work.

Our next stop was Kyle Busch Motorsports.  Home to Kyle Busch only. He is another grandson’s favorite driver.

This one truck we saw at KBM was in need of a tire fix ! Who woulda thought that ?!

While in our travel today, we went to a Big Lots store and ,,, this little friend jumped in my cart!!

We returned back to the RV and Ray’s neighbor brought over some fresh turnips just dug from his garden! He had planted them in March!!  Can’t wait to eat ’em!

 

 

Started out the morning watching Ray leave to do a business trip to SC. Work doesn’t stop just because Mama is here! Totally understandable.

So Bill and I took off to explore the area. First stop ~ Stewart-Haas Racing in Kanapolis.

This is home to Tony Stewart, Kevin Harwick  (my grandson’s favorite driver), Kurt Busch and Danica Patrick. Amazing how clean and organized the garage area was!

While in Kanapolis, we stopped by to visit the large bronze statue of Dale Earnhardt. A nice tribute to a great man.

Left Kanapolis and drove to Concord. Found a “Cook Out”! If ever in NC, must try this burger joint. Good burgers … great price and, they have 70 milkshake flavors!!

Came back to Denver and had a little R & R before cooking a cheesy chicken casserole and steamed broccoli for suppah.

Pam drove us to Cold Stone again for dessert.

NO CALORIES … right?

I was raised a Baptist and went to church every Sunday, sang in the choir, attended Sunday school … all because that was the routine.  Bill was raised a Catholic and attended Catholic schools. When I married Bill, I converted to Catholicism. This was my decision as he is Catholic and in order for him to be in Heaven with Lynn, I needed to convert (to make a long story short).

Today we both went to a new church with Ray & Pam… “The Cove”.  I sat next to my son and we sang together and we prayed together and,,, I even shed a few tears.  I needed that.  “The Cove” is a non-denominational Christian Church where God’s message is delivered in a relaxed atmosphere in words understandable to today’s life and shared with a live band playing and singing Christian rock music.  So different yet so rewarding

After church we had brunch at the “Butcher Boy”.  Good food at a good price.

It was great weather and the sun was shining, so Ray & Pam jumped on their bikes and Bill and I followed behind.  We went to the Webb Road Flea market in Salisbury, NC.  Lots of bargains to be found there!

A great day.  A happy day.  Life is good.

Went to the race last night (thanks to Ray’s bday gift)! They had to cancel the qualifying due to rain…. and rain… and rain. Race finally got off at 10:00pm. What a strange race with the rules, pit stops and cautions; but, that’s All-Stars for ya! Joey Logano came through the winner of the million dollars!!

Great night with family!  Great night at the race!

For those who read my face book page, y’all (Carolinas are rubbing off on me!) know of our journey today.   Bill & I were invited to participate with my son Ray on the “Ride of Pride” trip today.  The truck manufacturer Freightliner selects a trucking company to design a truck to be a rolling tribute to members of the United States military past and present.  This military themed truck also participates in the annual Ride for Freedom, a procession through Washington, D.C. each Memorial Day.   Today, the truck was rolled out from Freightliner and was accompanied by the NC Patriot Guard Riders on a 94 mile trip through select NC cities to be displayed.

          

I was moved by the spirit and meaning of this movement and decorated truck.  The veterans who came to visit at each stop were testament to all our heroes (past and present).  Moreover I was impressed with the PGR who accompanied this truck.  These men and women are dedicated to their missions and are well respected.  They stand guard at fallen heroes funerals as well as visit local veteran communities and volunteer services.

      

Above all though, getting up at 5:00 am, riding in the rain, Bill helping out with staging and setting up display areas … the most rewarding part of this day was riding on the back of Ray’s Harley and feeling so proud of my son for wanting me to share this day with him.

Thanks Ray-Ray !