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Our last Blog finished with Laura and I, for the first time since beginning our 'Motorhome Adventure Tour" some 11 months ago, were heading in two different directions (departing on the friendliest of term, of course!). Laura drove to Mississippi from Asheville, NC (flying there was just to discumberating) to see a friend and attend her daughters wedding. Gary was meeting up with his four childhood buddies (see last blog) for a week bike riding and daily Frisbee tosses in the Southern Outer Banks of North Carolina.
First, if you're like me, I had heard of the Outer Banks ("OB") but didn't know the first thing about what they are. So, here goes: The OB is a 200-mile long string of narrow barrier islands off the coast of NC and a small portion of Virginia. The OB is a major tourist destination and home to the famous Cape Hatteras National Seashore. BTW, the Wright Brothers' first flight in a controlled, powered, heavier-than-air vehicle took place in the Northern OB in Kitty Hawk, NC. The treacherous seas off the OB are notorious having caused many shipwrecks and as a result this area is nicknamed "The Graveyard of the Atlantic."
Our Bike Ride actually started on the Mainland, in the charming seaside town of New Bern, NC. Founded by the Swiss, first dog I saw as we were cruising through town was of course a Bernese Mtn. Dog. There were also "Pepsi Cola" banners on every light pole in town, it appears New Bern takes great pride as the birthplace of Pepsi Cola thanks to the pharmacist, Caleb Bradham, who concocted the drink in 1898. The following day, we rode through the back roads to coastal Beaufort, NC, part of the "Down East" mainland. Spent the night in a seaside lodge, then rode onto a ferry and through the Pamlico Sound to Ocracoke Island in the Southern OB. A planned kayak tour had to be cancelled due to bad weather. Then rode up to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, saw some wild horses, rode through the Cedar Island Nat'l Wildlife Refuge and then two days later ferried back to the mainland and rode to the "Sailing Capital of NC," another charming town, Oriental. There was much more but this was some of the highlights. We rode about 50 miles a day, all "da boyz' did great, played Frisbee a lot, even with a lighted nighttime Frisbee and ate really great meals, some home cooked. After a long day of riding you can imagine our appetites. "Da Boyz," close friends for over 55 years (!!!) take a vacation yearly, usually involving hiking or biking. There's always lots of laughs, jabs, and just kidding around - like kids… Bodies aside, brains remaining functional, we will always remain kids together and take our childhood secrets, boat loads full, to the g….
Well...Laura here. One thing I can say about the South, everywhere... the people are the most polite people I have ever met in my life!!! I find myself saying "Yes Sir" and "Yes Ma'am"! I like it and I love the accent. I had a blast at my friends daughters wedding. Lots of dancing and lots of helping! It was so much fun! On the way driving there, I met my high school friends Colleen and Barbara who live in Atlanta, Georgia. Had a wonderful lunch with them and it is so funny how our personalities stay the same over the years. They are as sweet as ever. Same with my friend Nancy who I saw when we were last in Miami. It was so much fun seeing all three of them! They still are friends and I found them on Facebook! So cool! I haven't seen them since college. I also met my dear friend Amy from high school for a beautiful concert by Snatam Kaur. We had 2nd row seats and sang and danced with everyone. Another wonderful evening. Came back to Asheville with barely a day and Gary was back from his trip. Heeers Gary:) :
After 10 days, Laura and I again were together in Asheville > You are!?! Who you!?! It's funny, you really miss each other because we have become soooo dependent on each other>> it really takes a team, actually a teammate to pull this adventure of ours off and to just keep our motorhome chugging forward…. BTW, early July will mark our 1-year anniversary on the road, and believe us when we say it takes a team to pull off what we have called our "Planned Irresponsibility Tour" (more in an upcoming blog). We'll also be thanking many of you individually in our blog, YOU know who you are!! You are the ones that have helped us, you otta know it takes a village, to successfully pull this wonderful trip of ours off. But, for now, an early Thank you to YOU!!
After saying a fond farewell to Asheville, looooved this place, we headed south into South Carolina and first stop, Congaree National Park. Through a real grassroots effort, in 2003 it became a Nat'l Park. It preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the USA. Loggers wants to get their axes on these trees… We, along with 1000's of our mosquito friends, ventured out for a nice 5-mile hike under the lush and very moist canopy of trees.
LAST, FAST & LOOSE THOUGHTS….
Asheville, NC
Green, green everywhere and Trees, trees everywhere!!! Never, we repeat never, did we see even one brown leaf, anywhere. And, never saw any irrigation/sprinklers and we were looking. Being from So. Calif. it was really weird, but really beautiful and the air really felt clean and every breath seemingly rich in oxygen…
Frisbee on the Bike Adventure
Is alive and well; felt like a bunch of kids when tossing the disc. Try it in the pitch dark, when you can't see your partner, only the lighted flying saucer. Really a hoot!! We could still run and even jump up a few inches to pick the disc out of thin air.
The laughs, jokes, and childhood reminders never stopped on this trip!
Congaree Nat'l Park
Saw our first "Mosquito Meter" which, like fire danger risk meters, tells the hiker the "density" of these pesky little rascals. Snapped a photo of this meter and thought it really funny, but also a good head's up. Knew we weren't still in San Diego...
Wild Pig encounter. While trekking through this rich, humid forested canopy we happened upon a Sow and about 8 or 10 of her piglets. BTW, pigs are omnivores, highly social and very intelligent. When I was practicing, I really enjoyed treating 'pet pigs,' more specifically pot-bellied pigs. The pig owners LOOOVED their pigs, and they were NOT being groomed for consumption!!
Charleston, SC
Now a real cosmopolitan vibrant seaside city, rich in history and folklore > home to the first shot fired in the Civil War! To be visited in our next blog.
Never, we repeat Never, did we think we'd spend so much time in the Southern States- almost 7 months now.
Next month we'll be heading up the East Coast.
Grits, Grits (in every flavor) Everywhere…
Long Live the South (and yes, you did lose the Civil War...)
Ladies and Gents, ya'all come down for a visit, ya hear!
Best Regards,
Laura & Gary
- comments
Nancy Rubin Sounds wonderful! I hope to see pictures of you and Colleen and Barbara!
Pattie Keller Great idea to have an annual adventure with friends. Keeps you grounded. ENJOY!!!
Diana Acton I'm heading to Chalotte NC tomorrow morn for a big southern wedding! U have got me in the mood for that famous hospitality!! Hope the BDay girl is celebrating every day!! LUV U & MISS U LAURA ;-D