Today we took it easy and relaxed some. When we got hungry we decided to go out the Sunflower Restaurant – a Chinese Buffet. It was really good and cheap! $5.99 a person.
After eating we went to Wal-Mart to pick up stain and sandpaper. Our plan was to finish the TV cabinet and the crown molding that David had built in the RV. We also picked up a few other supplies and then headed back to the RV.
We did more of what we are getting good at – just relaxing!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
November 11, 2010 - Thursday Happy Veterans Day
We planned to leave for Atlanta about 8:30 am so we would miss the rush hour traffic. Our plan worked really well – there wasn’t too much traffic and we could use the HOV lanes. (In Georgia HOV are 2 people in the vehicle!) We followed the signs to the Aquarium without any problems. We had read on line that parking was $10. So when we saw the parking garage at he hotel across the street from the Aquarium for All Day parking for $5. we took it. The walk to the Aquarium was a block but we got a parking spot right next to the elevator.
We rode the elevator with a young couple and their 2 year old son. It ended up that they were from Towson. She attended Towson University and had been VP of NASA. She knew Scott Zoltak’s name but she was there right after he left. Small World!
We got our tickets at a kiosk and went straight into the Aquarium – didn’t have to wait in line! The Aquarium is set up really interestingly. There is a section of Georgia Waterways and fish native to here. (Also some that have become invasive and are destroying some of the habitats. Mostly ones that were brought for home aquariums and then when the fish got too big are dumped into the lakes and streams.
Then there are other places where fish live – there is a river area that you walk thru. There are exhibits on each side of you and even some right over your head so you can see what the life that lives on the bottom of rivers.
One of my favorites was the area with 2 Beluga Whales. The area we were in was dark and had classical music playing. It was as if the whales were performing and underwater waltz. So peaceful and calming. They should record it so people could play it and watch just to lower their blood pressure.
There was this funny place with penguins. Not only were they funny but there were tubes that kids and people with better knees than mine could crawl thru. Then along the tunnel were places with clear plastic bubbles you could stick your head up and be in the middle of the penguins. I don’t know which was funnier the look on the penguins or the look on the human “floating” heads!
We then ate a quick snack – I had a hamburger and Sam ate a hot dog – no fish meals here!
Then it was time to go to the exhibit that was one of the main reasons we were here – the walk thru aquarium tank. There are more than 8 million gallons of water in the entire Atlantic Aquarium. AND more than 6 million gallons are in this one exhibit! Amazing doesn’t even begin to cover the feelings. It is even bigger than I thought! You stand there and hundreds, maybe 1000’s, of fish are swimming on each side of you and over your head. Whales Sharks – 4 huge ones, Black Tip Sharks, Manta Rays, Grouper – just to name a few. You keep going around and different views and angles, caves, ceiling circles – all kinds of effects.
Then you walk into a huge darkened room where there are benches – like stadium seating. One wall – maybe 40 feet high and 150 feet long – floor to ceiling was the tank wall. Made from Plexiglas 2 feet thick! You could sit and become mesmerized by the beauty, size and grace of the fish. There were 2 divers in the tank and a Manta Ray was playing in the bubbles – curving, flipping, and sailing thru the bubbles. It was easy to tell it was doing it just for the fun. We were told that all these fish could live together without eating each other is because they are all fed.
After we left that area we still had smaller exhibits to see. The Asian Seas had so many small fish but there were fish of every color of the rainbow – so pretty! Even the kind of angel fish that Monique had to make a report on when she was in the 5th grade!
There was a whole section on different jellyfish! What a great trip – I even touched a ray and a shark!
I went ahead and took the tour. Kind of cool – kind of hokey. When you walked in in you had to stand and wait for the next tour to begin. The area was full of huge decorated Coke bottle – my favorite was a beaded one! The first room was full of memorabilia from all over the world. Then the next room was a theater where a commercial was shown. Then you could go to a small bottling line – it is the smallest and slowest in the world! No really it is!
Then onto another room of memorabilia. Then into a 3-D theater. We were shown a film about people trying to figure out the recipe for Coke. The seats were rigged so they shook – wind blew in your face – you were sprinkled with water and the seat punched you in the back. Very weird – but interesting. They did have seats in the back that didn’t move. But my favorite part? The tasting room! 60 flavors of soda from all over the world! It was all self serve – you could taste any and as many as you wanted. I really liked Bitter Lemon from England. It was also great to taste coke, diet coke and coke zero! As I left Coke World I was give a 7 oz. souvenir bottle of Coke. The kind that was made in the tiny bottling room!
When I exited the building into Pemerton Park, named, by the way, after the man that invented Coke a Cola, I was in a totally different area than were I entered the building. After finding my way back I had to find Sam. He was on the other side of the park where he had found some shade. All day long we kept commenting on how many Ravens fans we saw – lots & lots of dressed in purple.
When we were walking to the Aquarium we walked by the lounge –restaurant, Legal Seafood, in the hotel and decided when we were done we would each there. We ordered our meals. Sam had blackened Trout and I ordered a crab cake with orzo. While we were waiting we found out there was going to be a football game at the stadium and the Ravens were playing. Oh, now I get it!
Sam’s food came and he was almost done and I still hadn’t received mine. – the waitress came over and realized I hadn’t gotten my food. After checking she found out they had run out of crab cakes and were making more. Finally after another 15 minutes my food came – it was really good and made better because I had to wait we weren’t charged for my meal.
We pulled out of the parking garage and followed the signs back to 85N and 985N. We must have missed a sign and we ended up in a residential area – and not a very nice one! We just kept heading in the direction we felt would take us where we needed to be – it didn’t help that it was rush hour traffic. But Sam made it back to the interstate and home to the RV.
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| Lion Fish |
We got our tickets at a kiosk and went straight into the Aquarium – didn’t have to wait in line! The Aquarium is set up really interestingly. There is a section of Georgia Waterways and fish native to here. (Also some that have become invasive and are destroying some of the habitats. Mostly ones that were brought for home aquariums and then when the fish got too big are dumped into the lakes and streams.
 |
| Beluga Whales |
One of my favorites was the area with 2 Beluga Whales. The area we were in was dark and had classical music playing. It was as if the whales were performing and underwater waltz. So peaceful and calming. They should record it so people could play it and watch just to lower their blood pressure.
There was this funny place with penguins. Not only were they funny but there were tubes that kids and people with better knees than mine could crawl thru. Then along the tunnel were places with clear plastic bubbles you could stick your head up and be in the middle of the penguins. I don’t know which was funnier the look on the penguins or the look on the human “floating” heads!
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| The Tunnel! |
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| Sam and "Friends" |
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| Just for FUN! |
After we left that area we still had smaller exhibits to see. The Asian Seas had so many small fish but there were fish of every color of the rainbow – so pretty! Even the kind of angel fish that Monique had to make a report on when she was in the 5th grade!
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| Cool Jellyfish |
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| Pemerton Park |
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| World of Coke |
After leaving the Aquarium we headed across the park called Pemerton Park.
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| Beaded Huge Coke Bottle |
We were headed to the World of Coke. After taking our tickets we had to go through the metal detectors. They wouldn’t let Sam in because he has the knife as a necklace. Well I guess he could have given them the knife – but he chose not to.
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| Coke used to be bottled by States |
When I exited the building into Pemerton Park, named, by the way, after the man that invented Coke a Cola, I was in a totally different area than were I entered the building. After finding my way back I had to find Sam. He was on the other side of the park where he had found some shade. All day long we kept commenting on how many Ravens fans we saw – lots & lots of dressed in purple.
When we were walking to the Aquarium we walked by the lounge –restaurant, Legal Seafood, in the hotel and decided when we were done we would each there. We ordered our meals. Sam had blackened Trout and I ordered a crab cake with orzo. While we were waiting we found out there was going to be a football game at the stadium and the Ravens were playing. Oh, now I get it!
Sam’s food came and he was almost done and I still hadn’t received mine. – the waitress came over and realized I hadn’t gotten my food. After checking she found out they had run out of crab cakes and were making more. Finally after another 15 minutes my food came – it was really good and made better because I had to wait we weren’t charged for my meal.
We pulled out of the parking garage and followed the signs back to 85N and 985N. We must have missed a sign and we ended up in a residential area – and not a very nice one! We just kept heading in the direction we felt would take us where we needed to be – it didn’t help that it was rush hour traffic. But Sam made it back to the interstate and home to the RV.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
November 10, 2010 - Wednesday
We had finished wrapping gifts and getting two boxes ready to mail back to Edgewood so after eating breakfast we headed on to the Post Office. The woman working in the Post Office was from Severn, MD. She and her family are getting ready to move back there after the first of the year. Tier, the woman we met at Prairie Trails had sent a message about a place that she really likes to visit. She felt that since it was on “Wild Cat Creek” that it would be appropriate for us to visit. We wrote down the directions and headed on out. It was quite a drive – but it was pretty. We turned on to the road and drove down about a mile and then realized we went West when the directions said East. We turned around and found East Wild Cat Creek. You would think it would be right across the highway but this is Georgia and none of the roads seem to be where I think they should be. We drove the entire road – a gravel one lane road that went around a lake with multi-million dollar homes. (One of the real estate books showed one – which we saw – for sale for 10 million dollars.) Beautiful Lake but we never found the waterfalls on the creek that we were looking for. (We talked to Tier later and she had meant to tell us West Wild Cat Creek. Oh well – I guess we weren’t meant to see the falls!)
On the way back we stopped at Old Batesville General Store and Restaurant. We had seen signs saying it was the best restaurant in Batesville. The food was good but really they could have made the claim no matter how the food was. Not only was it the only restaurant in town but it was the only building!
When Sam bought his rifle they gave him directions to a free gun range and we had planned to go there. After not finding the falls and then almost all the way back to the RV we headed to the range. However when we had gone a couple miles we saw a sign that our first turn, of many, was 16 miles down the road we decided just to go back to the RV.
We knew tomorrow would be a lot of driving and walking so we just decided to stay home and relax for the rest of the day.
We knew tomorrow would be a lot of driving and walking so we just decided to stay home and relax for the rest of the day.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
November 9, 2010 - Tuesday
On Sunday one of the TV shows we watched was “Georgia Traveler”. They talked about Dahlonega, the site of the first gold rush in the United States. The Smith House was also talked about on the show. Because of that show we decided that would be the goal for the day.
First we had to stop at the Mountain Gun Shop. Sam had found a rifle for $100. and he decided he wanted to get it. It ended up being a really good deal – it came with bayonet, sling and all kinds of accessories. Because he was a Veteran, Sam got 10% off and 2 boxes of free ammunition. We took the rifle back to the RV before heading to Dahlonega.
It was a very pretty drive to Dahlonega. We found The Smith House just off the square. The Smith House is a hotel and restaurant. One of the interesting things about it is a few years ago when they were remolding, they found a gold mine that one of the previous owners had dug. He wasn’t able to continue the mine because the vein ran into the center of town. The town would not allow digging on his property. So he went as far as he could in secret!
The Georgia Traveler also talked about how good the food was at The Smith House. Everything was served family style. On the table was a jar of squash pickles – good. Made me think of the ones I canned a few years ago. Then the food parade began! Fried Chicken, sliced ham, rice, black eyed peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits, greens, creamed corn and that was only what I can remember. It is family style but it was only Sam and I at the table. If you wanted more all you had to do was ask – but we couldn’t finish what we had! Oh and then there was dessert – Strawberry Shortcake – we got one and split it! They were right, the food was good and there was way too much!
There is an area by the restaurant downstairs where you go to the gold mine and can look into the 30ft. hole. There were displays of all the items found at the base of the shaft. And pieces of quartz with gold. Also lots of information on what to look for when hunting gold. We then looked around the gift shop and headed outside. The outside of The Smith House was in the process of being decorated for Christmas. We were greeted by the owner – what a nice guy.
We drove to the town square and started window shopping. The building in the middle of the square used to be the Court House and is now a Gold Mine Museum. There were a lot of interesting shops around the square. There was a jewelry store that specialized in making jewelry from the gold that is found in Dahlonega – very pretty and very delicate.
Sam sat on the bench and smoked his pipe and enjoyed the day as I shopped! One of my favorite places was the General Store. There were lots and lots of rocks of every kind!
One of the things I had discovered was that I had only brought one t shirt. I’m not sure how that happened but I needed more! I had winter shirts and summer tops but I needed some in between shirts. So we headed to the Wal-Mart in Dahlonega. Not very good luck – I found only one shirt on a clearance rack but that was it. (I did get it for $1.00 so that was good.) There was a Cato in the same Shopping Center, so I got four shirts there.
It was late in the afternoon when we decided to head back to Yonah RV Park and to our RV to relax for the night.
First we had to stop at the Mountain Gun Shop. Sam had found a rifle for $100. and he decided he wanted to get it. It ended up being a really good deal – it came with bayonet, sling and all kinds of accessories. Because he was a Veteran, Sam got 10% off and 2 boxes of free ammunition. We took the rifle back to the RV before heading to Dahlonega.
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| The Smith House |
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| Gold Ore |
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| Gold Mine Shaft |
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| Gold Mine Museum |
Sam sat on the bench and smoked his pipe and enjoyed the day as I shopped! One of my favorite places was the General Store. There were lots and lots of rocks of every kind!
One of the things I had discovered was that I had only brought one t shirt. I’m not sure how that happened but I needed more! I had winter shirts and summer tops but I needed some in between shirts. So we headed to the Wal-Mart in Dahlonega. Not very good luck – I found only one shirt on a clearance rack but that was it. (I did get it for $1.00 so that was good.) There was a Cato in the same Shopping Center, so I got four shirts there.
It was late in the afternoon when we decided to head back to Yonah RV Park and to our RV to relax for the night.
November 8, 2010 - Monday
We knew it would take about an hour and twenty minutes to get to Patty and Bill’s house in Lawrenceville, GA. But I was a little nervous about the directions – go South then go back North to go south! Not Kidding!
We made it at about 10:02 with only 1 u-turn and then we drove past the house when we realized the house numbers were going up by 10’s not by 2’s.
Lots of hugs and then time to check out the clean bathroom. (Really it was just the coffee had kicked in and I had to go!) Bill came up from his office downstairs. Patty and I left Bill and Sam to talk while she gave me a tour of the house and yard. Very nice with a nice cozy feel.
After the tour Patty, Sam and I left for Stone Mountain. Patty drove and after we told her of our u-turn, she explained that’s how they learned to drive in GA – lots of u-turns. She likened it to someone dumping out a bowl of spaghetti – AND it is so true!
We walked up to the area in front of the mountain where the stone relief is carved. It’s like an optical illusion. It just doesn’t seem that big – but then when you start reading the statistics you are shocked! A sit down meal was served on Lee’s shoulder for 18 people. The carving is 47 feet deep at that point. I’m not sure but I think I might have wanted a seat belt on my chair. The carving is taller than the Statue of Liberty!
Even though Patty is a bit afraid of heights she braved the tram and rode to the top with Sam and me. Once at the top there is a building with a small gift shop, a snack bar and lots of pictures with information on them. There is an area on the side of the mountain that a Yellow Daisy Festival is held each year. There are also plants growing around the area that are endangered. (Patty told me about an endangered trillium that grows in her back yard that smells like rotten meat when it blooms. I think I understand why people got rid of them whenever they could!)
The top of Stone Mountain is incredible and you can see views for miles and miles! After we went inside we sat at a table in the snack bar and talked. At some point Sam decided to go ahead and look around some more. Patty and I just kept talking! We finally realized he had been gone for awhile and we decided to head on down the tram and go to the museum. We caught up with him for a few minutes at the museum – he was finishing as we began. After Patty and I viewed everything in the museum we caught up with Sam, who was outside reading his book.
We then did the 5 mile drive around the mountain. Patty recalled when they first moved to the area taking the kids and going for a Sunday afternoon drive around the mountain – they did it only once – way too much traffic and too slow! We then went for lunch at Zaxby’s. It’s a fast food chicken restaurant – we all had chicken strips served with a slice of texas toast. Sam and I had the Zaxby sauce – a little spicy. After eating and more talking we went back to Patty’s house. We were trying to get there as close as possible to Mary and her five kids getting there.
They weren’t there yet so we went back out to Barnes & Noble. Sam had mentioned to Patty that he had been looking for one to get the latest book in The Wheel of Time series. We went back to the house and shortly after that Mary came over. Then Michael & Kimberly and their 2 daughters and then Daniel all came over. Bill went to pick up pizza. It was a nice noisy time – just like home. Sam and I left about 7 or so – we still had about 1 ½ hour drive to find our way back to the RV. Patty gave us route with fewer turns and we made it back without any problems.
It had been a nice day but we were both tired so sleep came early.
We made it at about 10:02 with only 1 u-turn and then we drove past the house when we realized the house numbers were going up by 10’s not by 2’s.
Lots of hugs and then time to check out the clean bathroom. (Really it was just the coffee had kicked in and I had to go!) Bill came up from his office downstairs. Patty and I left Bill and Sam to talk while she gave me a tour of the house and yard. Very nice with a nice cozy feel.
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| Lee is in the center |
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| "What caught their eye?" Patty and Sam on top of Stone Mountain |
Even though Patty is a bit afraid of heights she braved the tram and rode to the top with Sam and me. Once at the top there is a building with a small gift shop, a snack bar and lots of pictures with information on them. There is an area on the side of the mountain that a Yellow Daisy Festival is held each year. There are also plants growing around the area that are endangered. (Patty told me about an endangered trillium that grows in her back yard that smells like rotten meat when it blooms. I think I understand why people got rid of them whenever they could!)
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| Maybe it was this - View from the top! Atlanta Skyline |
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| Yellow Daisy |
They weren’t there yet so we went back out to Barnes & Noble. Sam had mentioned to Patty that he had been looking for one to get the latest book in The Wheel of Time series. We went back to the house and shortly after that Mary came over. Then Michael & Kimberly and their 2 daughters and then Daniel all came over. Bill went to pick up pizza. It was a nice noisy time – just like home. Sam and I left about 7 or so – we still had about 1 ½ hour drive to find our way back to the RV. Patty gave us route with fewer turns and we made it back without any problems.
It had been a nice day but we were both tired so sleep came early.
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| Sisters at Zaxby's |
November 7, 2010 - Sunday
We slept late. We didn't have too much planned. One of the things I had gotten at Wal-Mart was Christmas wrapping paper and a shipping box.
We watched TV, wrapped Christmas presents and ate whenever we got hungry.
A good down day!
I called Patty about 8:00 pm and told her we would be at her house about 10:00 in the morning. She told me she had stayed home from Church that night to clean her bathroom. I knew she was as nervous as I was about the next day.
AND again when we know we have to get up and get moving early the next day we have a hard time getting to sleep!
We watched TV, wrapped Christmas presents and ate whenever we got hungry.
A good down day!
I called Patty about 8:00 pm and told her we would be at her house about 10:00 in the morning. She told me she had stayed home from Church that night to clean her bathroom. I knew she was as nervous as I was about the next day.
AND again when we know we have to get up and get moving early the next day we have a hard time getting to sleep!
November 6, 2010 - Saturday
Today we needed supplies so we went on the search for Wal-Mart. Sam had looked one up and had put the directions into his phone GPS. I don't know what it is about Georgia but the roads don't make sense to me and apparently not to GPS or Mapquest either. Anyway we followed the GPS and ended up out of town and were told to turn on a "local road - no name" which was a gravel drive to nowhere. Sam ended up calling Wal-Mart and got good directions. We picked up lots of supplies - broom, dustpan, water, boxes - just to name a few. We then headed back to the RV to put everything away.
We had planned on going to Helen to eat a late lunch at Hofer's - Sam wanted Schnitzel. We had made arrangements to skype for Victoria and Dave's birthday party. We decided to leave the RV about 2:00pm. That was a mistake - Helen was packed - it took us more than 1/2 hour just to get to the restaurant once we got to Helen!
One cool thing was they have horse drawn carriages on the weekend! We saw one that looked like a white wire pumpkin and had seats going around the edges for probably 10 people.
The food at Hofer's was good, I had a butcher's platter with a smoked pork chop and 2 different kinds of wieners. One tasted just like a regular hot dog. I really liked the red cabbage - hot but a little sweet. I wasn't crazy about the regular sauerkraut with rye seeds. Sam liked the schnitzel and I agreed, with the one bite I got, it was yummy!
We were worried because of the time so we didn't buy any deli or bakery "stuff" because we didn't want to be late to the birthday party!
Skyping is one of those thing that's amazing because you can do it and view people in real time but also a little creepy for the exact same reason! The picture has to focus on one thing so when there is a lot of movement or a lot of people - like at a birthday party - there is lots of freezing and restarting, freezing and restarting - you get the idea. But with the choice of not "being there" at all it's a good thing.
After the party we just relaxed, I did some beading and we watched TV and movies until it was time for bed.
We had planned on going to Helen to eat a late lunch at Hofer's - Sam wanted Schnitzel. We had made arrangements to skype for Victoria and Dave's birthday party. We decided to leave the RV about 2:00pm. That was a mistake - Helen was packed - it took us more than 1/2 hour just to get to the restaurant once we got to Helen!
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| Part of downtown Helen, GA |
The food at Hofer's was good, I had a butcher's platter with a smoked pork chop and 2 different kinds of wieners. One tasted just like a regular hot dog. I really liked the red cabbage - hot but a little sweet. I wasn't crazy about the regular sauerkraut with rye seeds. Sam liked the schnitzel and I agreed, with the one bite I got, it was yummy!
We were worried because of the time so we didn't buy any deli or bakery "stuff" because we didn't want to be late to the birthday party!
Skyping is one of those thing that's amazing because you can do it and view people in real time but also a little creepy for the exact same reason! The picture has to focus on one thing so when there is a lot of movement or a lot of people - like at a birthday party - there is lots of freezing and restarting, freezing and restarting - you get the idea. But with the choice of not "being there" at all it's a good thing.
After the party we just relaxed, I did some beading and we watched TV and movies until it was time for bed.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
November 5, 2010 - Friday
Before we went to bed last night we decided we would get up and go straight to Helen, GA for breakfast. Helen used to be a logging town and now it is a tourist town. I'm not sure what the buildings looked like originally but now it looks like an Alpine Village - the mountains really help. It really is a very pretty town and the fact that the leaves were at their best really made it look like a picture postcard. Even the Wendy's has the gingerbread trim keeping with the "Village" look.
We found "Hofer's German Restaurant". I had a cold plate breakfast which came on two separate platters. One was just different breads, 2 each of 3 different rolls and 5 slices of rye bread. The meat platter had probably 9 different slices of German cold cuts. There were also small scoops of a cheese mix. As close as I could figure out there was butter, cheddar cheese and blue cheese mixed together. So yummy on the bread!
Way more food than one person could eat. We bought a bag of brioche rolls and some Bavarian liver sausage to take back to the RV.
Since we had passed the Naocoochee Indian Mound on the way to our RV Park we were curious about it and wanted to go back. There is a historical marker but I'm really glad we got the book about it. There is a legend around here about Naocoochee and Sautee, two Native Indians from different Tribes. When Naocoochee's Father refused to allow them to be together the legend says they jumped from the top of Yohan Mountain. Then their bodies were buried at the mound. The book talks about there being a lot more mounds in the area than are left now. But it is believed the mound was a sacred grounds that was built slowly over time and it could be as much as 1000 years old. It's believed that it was at one time about 3 feet higher than it is now.
James Hall Nichols has been credited for saving the mound because he built a gazebo on top of it somewhere around 1875. The family used to have picnics on the top.
We continued down the road to a small group of stores called Sautee Village. The first one we stopped at was Prairie Trails - as the name says Native American art and jewelry. Sam found a leather mountain lion wall hanging. Very cool. We also met Teir, who was working there that day. We ended up having quite a conversation with her. I only got postcards - I just kept repeating my mantra - "I'm going to Earl's in Gallup" - "I'm going to Earl's in Gallup"! We looked in the other stores - each had lots of interesting items. I went into one that made soaps - way too many strong smells - had to leave after only a couple of minutes.
Then I walked across the street to the "Old Sautee Store" - boy has it been there for awhile. The whole front room is really a museum of the way general stores used to be! We went further into the store and met one of the clerks selling cheese, crackers and "Glogg". First you taste the cheese on a garlic cracker. When you are done with that you eat a slice of cheese on a thin ginger cookie but before you swallow you take a drink of warm glogg. Oh my - so good both ways! We bought cheese, garlic crackers, ginger cookies and two bottles of glogg. Good
sales technique! I think IKEA may sell the ginger cookies and glogg.
I hope so! The bottle of glogg says 1 part glogg to 1 part water but the clerk says 1 part glogg to 2 parts water. I think she is right - too strong the other way.
We found "Hofer's German Restaurant". I had a cold plate breakfast which came on two separate platters. One was just different breads, 2 each of 3 different rolls and 5 slices of rye bread. The meat platter had probably 9 different slices of German cold cuts. There were also small scoops of a cheese mix. As close as I could figure out there was butter, cheddar cheese and blue cheese mixed together. So yummy on the bread!
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| Inside Hofer's |
Since we had passed the Naocoochee Indian Mound on the way to our RV Park we were curious about it and wanted to go back. There is a historical marker but I'm really glad we got the book about it. There is a legend around here about Naocoochee and Sautee, two Native Indians from different Tribes. When Naocoochee's Father refused to allow them to be together the legend says they jumped from the top of Yohan Mountain. Then their bodies were buried at the mound. The book talks about there being a lot more mounds in the area than are left now. But it is believed the mound was a sacred grounds that was built slowly over time and it could be as much as 1000 years old. It's believed that it was at one time about 3 feet higher than it is now.
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| Naocoochee Indian Mound |
We continued down the road to a small group of stores called Sautee Village. The first one we stopped at was Prairie Trails - as the name says Native American art and jewelry. Sam found a leather mountain lion wall hanging. Very cool. We also met Teir, who was working there that day. We ended up having quite a conversation with her. I only got postcards - I just kept repeating my mantra - "I'm going to Earl's in Gallup" - "I'm going to Earl's in Gallup"! We looked in the other stores - each had lots of interesting items. I went into one that made soaps - way too many strong smells - had to leave after only a couple of minutes.
sales technique! I think IKEA may sell the ginger cookies and glogg.
I hope so! The bottle of glogg says 1 part glogg to 1 part water but the clerk says 1 part glogg to 2 parts water. I think she is right - too strong the other way.
We decided to head back to the RV. Relaxed, ate liver sausage with brioche for supper, watched TV and then to bed.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
November 4, 2010
When we were at Wade's Mill in VA we had gotten a bag of grits and Sam had been asking for them. So breakfast was grits, scrambled eggs and sliced country ham. One of my goals while traveling in the "South" is to have Cheese Grits with Shrimp!
After breakfast I went to the laundry room since the last one had been closed to us for the season! When I got back we headed out - first in search of food! We went to Yonah burgers which is just up the road from the RV park. Sam had a cheeseburger and I tried the vegetable burger. As far as veggie burgers go - it was one of the best I had had. We also got a peanut butter shake to share and fried pies for later.
We then headed to Babyland General. What a fun place! This is a new building built in a Southern Style Home on 650 acres. When you walk in there is a nurse sitting at a reception desk that greets you and asks you to sigh in. Then you walk through the "museum" displays of some of the original cabbage patch kids. It lists the original adoption fee and the value now. Oh my gosh - who would have thought! There was one of the original fee was $30. and in 2006 she was readopted for $36,000.!
Then you walk through the Nursery rooms. One in all pink, one in all blue and one in just cute! There are baby sounds - cooings in every room. I don't know how but you could smell the sweet baby smells too! After the nursery you go through the school area, hairdressers and then you come to the Mother Cabbage and the patch. there are CPK growing - heads surrounded by leaves - sounds creepy but is cute. Some turn and some go up and down. There a huge crystal and crystal clusters in the patch with all the babies. Some even light up and change colors. It was special seeing the Cabbage Patch Baby Boy born on David's birthday!
Babyland
General is free but we had been warned we wouldn't be able to leave without spending money. Sooo true - way to CUTE!
On the way back to the RV we stopped at a Pawn & Gun shop - that's where Sam went - and a local Artisan shop - where I went. Sam saw several "things" he would like to bring home. I got some cute postcards and bought a signed by the author book called "Distant Voices". It is all about the Nacoochee Indian Mound. We had passes the mound on our way to the RV park on Tuesday and want to know more about it.
We went back to the RV and relaxed for the night.
After breakfast I went to the laundry room since the last one had been closed to us for the season! When I got back we headed out - first in search of food! We went to Yonah burgers which is just up the road from the RV park. Sam had a cheeseburger and I tried the vegetable burger. As far as veggie burgers go - it was one of the best I had had. We also got a peanut butter shake to share and fried pies for later.
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| Babyland General |
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| My picture - taken in the Reception Room |
We then headed to Babyland General. What a fun place! This is a new building built in a Southern Style Home on 650 acres. When you walk in there is a nurse sitting at a reception desk that greets you and asks you to sigh in. Then you walk through the "museum" displays of some of the original cabbage patch kids. It lists the original adoption fee and the value now. Oh my gosh - who would have thought! There was one of the original fee was $30. and in 2006 she was readopted for $36,000.!
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| David's Birthday Brother |
General is free but we had been warned we wouldn't be able to leave without spending money. Sooo true - way to CUTE!
On the way back to the RV we stopped at a Pawn & Gun shop - that's where Sam went - and a local Artisan shop - where I went. Sam saw several "things" he would like to bring home. I got some cute postcards and bought a signed by the author book called "Distant Voices". It is all about the Nacoochee Indian Mound. We had passes the mound on our way to the RV park on Tuesday and want to know more about it.
We went back to the RV and relaxed for the night.
November 3, 2010
It rained ALL day, making it the perfect day to relax - watch cable TV - pay bills - work on my blog and finally do some BEADING!
Before I left home I had wanted to put together a beading kit. I didn't really have time so I just grabbed 4 of my bead cases. Way too much but fun!
It was such a nice day!
Before I left home I had wanted to put together a beading kit. I didn't really have time so I just grabbed 4 of my bead cases. Way too much but fun!
It was such a nice day!
November 2, 2010
We stowed everything away and moved the RV and hooked up the car dolly. then we got in to the bug to met a friend to get some NC liquid sipping refreshment.
We went back and hooked up the Bug and left the RV park at about 10:30 a.m. We only had about 120 miles to drive so we weren't in a big rush.
Boy it ended up being our roughest trip so far! There were lots of steep climbs and steep descents with sharp twists and turns! Narrow roads with bad directions from Mapquest. (Turn right when we needed to turn left - ended up in a tiny little parking lot. Sam got us out! Needing gas when the stations weren't set up for a large RV - Sam got us out!
Then when we finally found Yonah Mountain RV Park in Cleveland, GA we got a pull thru spot -good news. BUT when we took the Bug off the dolly one of the metal bars had snapped and was standing up and took the lower front grill off the Bug.
We decided to go get a sandwich - to make sure the Bug was alright. It was! After eating we came back and just relaxed. Shortly after getting to the RV it started raining. It was still raining when we went to sleep.
We went back and hooked up the Bug and left the RV park at about 10:30 a.m. We only had about 120 miles to drive so we weren't in a big rush.
Boy it ended up being our roughest trip so far! There were lots of steep climbs and steep descents with sharp twists and turns! Narrow roads with bad directions from Mapquest. (Turn right when we needed to turn left - ended up in a tiny little parking lot. Sam got us out! Needing gas when the stations weren't set up for a large RV - Sam got us out!
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| Our view of Yonah Mountain |
We decided to go get a sandwich - to make sure the Bug was alright. It was! After eating we came back and just relaxed. Shortly after getting to the RV it started raining. It was still raining when we went to sleep.
November 1, 2010
Sam got up this morning and got everything together and headed to the bath house only to find it closed for the season. We later found out there were new owners and they weren't going to stay open year round. It would have been nice to know in advance. Also so much for my plan to do laundry!
We realized that we had met several people on this trip that we would like to stay in touch with and we came up with an idea for a travel card. After designing it we went on the search for card stock or business card paper.
Once again Waynesville drew us in - round a bout and do si do. But we found a restaurant that looked good - Sagebrush Lodge Steakhouse. It must be good - even on a Monday at 1:30 in the afternoon the parking lot was packed. there was even a waiting line inside - not long - only about 10 minutes. I got a combination of ribs, chicken breast and pork barbecue. Mine came with 2 whole sweet potatoes! The food was so good and enough for supper too! I don't remember what Sam had I was too busy enjoying mine!
We realized that we had met several people on this trip that we would like to stay in touch with and we came up with an idea for a travel card. After designing it we went on the search for card stock or business card paper.
Once again Waynesville drew us in - round a bout and do si do. But we found a restaurant that looked good - Sagebrush Lodge Steakhouse. It must be good - even on a Monday at 1:30 in the afternoon the parking lot was packed. there was even a waiting line inside - not long - only about 10 minutes. I got a combination of ribs, chicken breast and pork barbecue. Mine came with 2 whole sweet potatoes! The food was so good and enough for supper too! I don't remember what Sam had I was too busy enjoying mine! We then went down the street to Staples and got the paper we needed for cards. After getting back to the RV we did all we could to get ready to leave the next morning.
October 31, - Sunday
After we slept late and having breakfast we started the planning for leaving. We know we wanted to get more gallons of water (In case I haven't explained we only drink and cook with bottled water while we travel. We've learned from experience not to count on the water at RV parks. You just never know what you are going to get!) We also wanted to make sure we had some food that we could make quickly.
After going to Wal-Mart I had a taste for ice cream. Of course we had already left Waynesville so we drove past our RV park and drove to Maggie Valley. We went to Herndon's Cafe and Creamery. Boy it was smelling so good in there! I had a pumpkin shake and Sam had a butter pecan shake. Sam and I were the only customers so we got to talking to Michelle and Jimi, who are the owners. They had lived in FL and had honeymooned in Maggie Valley. So when the economy got bad in FL they moved to NC and bought the ice cream place, fixed it up and added sandwiches and soup. They are creating a border of pictures of Veterans and they wanted to take Sam's picture.
We ended up talking for 2 hours. When we finally got ready to leave we went out and got pictures. One for their wall of Sam and I took one of Jimi and Sam.
Once we got back to the RV we had to put the food away - which we had forgotten all about white we were talking with Michelle & Jimi. They had also wanted us to friend them on Facebook and Sam sent a copy of the picture I took to their e-mail site.
After a little while we started getting hungry and decided we should go back to the Cafe and Creamery. Jimi was making his bar-b-que sauce when we were there and it smelled so good. We both had bar-b-que pork sandwiches - Sam's with chicken noodle soup and I had potato salad. the food was good. We spent another couple hours talking before we left with a quart of Bar-B-Que Sauce that Jimi gave us. We did have to promise to give it 2 more cooking times.
Good Food - Good Conversation - Good People!
Who Could Ask For More
After going to Wal-Mart I had a taste for ice cream. Of course we had already left Waynesville so we drove past our RV park and drove to Maggie Valley. We went to Herndon's Cafe and Creamery. Boy it was smelling so good in there! I had a pumpkin shake and Sam had a butter pecan shake. Sam and I were the only customers so we got to talking to Michelle and Jimi, who are the owners. They had lived in FL and had honeymooned in Maggie Valley. So when the economy got bad in FL they moved to NC and bought the ice cream place, fixed it up and added sandwiches and soup. They are creating a border of pictures of Veterans and they wanted to take Sam's picture.
Once we got back to the RV we had to put the food away - which we had forgotten all about white we were talking with Michelle & Jimi. They had also wanted us to friend them on Facebook and Sam sent a copy of the picture I took to their e-mail site.
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| Jimi and Michelle |
Good Food - Good Conversation - Good People!
Who Could Ask For More
Friday, November 19, 2010
October 30, 2010 - Saturday
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| Everywhere you look in Maggie Valley you see "these people" sitting on bales of hay! 100's of them! |
We entered the Cherokee Reservations about midway down the mountain. From the direction that we came into town after just a few homes, the first big thing was the Casino and a huge parking garage that is being worked on. There was construction with flagmen working even on Saturday! Once you get to the other side of the Casino you come to more parking for the Casino.
One of the fun parts of Cherokee was the fact that there were bears statues. Everyone had been painted differently. So we went on a "Bear Hunt"! We were able to get quite a few pictures- which says quite a bit because there are only 2 lanes with sooo much traffic.
We ate at Newfound Lodge right on the main street. The real reason was the sign for "Fresh Mountain Trout" which Sam ordered. The fish was very good - breaded with panko so light and crunchy with a good mild taste. I opted for the buffet and had salads and fried chicken.
After eating we drove to "BearMeat Indian Den" which was just outside of Cherokee. Interesting place to look around. They have a stuffed immature Bald Eagle. It died when it got caught in electric wires and was gifted to the owners of BearMeat. There was a plaque explaining where it came from and the fact that it was not for sale. It also explained that the eagle will be passed down in the family according to their traditions.
My find at BearMeat was frog jam and moonshine jam. They also had toe jam but I just couldn't do it! I know I can make moonshine jam but I'm not sure about frog! (It's a blend of fruit but fig and tangerine are the main fruits.) I also got Corn Beads which are tear shaped seeds that are gray. They are used in jewelry and medallions and are said to represent the Trail of Tears.
When we drove back through Maggie Valley we saw a bead shop called "Beadstro". Of course I had to stop! I also noticed that they sold gourmet coffee - which turned out to be the same coffee that we have in the RV made in the Keurig coffeemaker. They were charging $2.
a cup! It was a tiny bead shop but had some beads I hadn't seen before. I got some turquoise sugar beads.
We then headed back to the RV and relaxed for the night.
Hope you enjoy the "Trophies" from our Bear Hunt!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
October 29, 2010 - Friday
Our best laid plans of going to Cherokee today were put on hold. We were too achy and just didn't feel like getting in the car again.
We stayed in and did a few things around the RV and finally finished all the food from Snappy's. Late in the afternoon we did go out because we wanted to get a Megs Millions ticket and to go to the office and check on our mail. We got the ticket and boxes that Crystal had sent. Sam's robe and boots AND pictures and cards from Leah Cindy and Edie.
We stayed in and did a few things around the RV and finally finished all the food from Snappy's. Late in the afternoon we did go out because we wanted to get a Megs Millions ticket and to go to the office and check on our mail. We got the ticket and boxes that Crystal had sent. Sam's robe and boots AND pictures and cards from Leah Cindy and Edie.
October 28, 2010 - Thursday
We slept late and just took it easy. Shortly before noon we decided to go find "Mast General Store" and Wal-Mart - both of which were in Waynesville. Somehow we ended up bypassing Waynesville and ended up back on 40 headed to Asheville. We only had a drawing - not a map. So somehow we went to the next town and kept driving. It wasn't too bad - we found a Sonic! We stopped and ate and then headed on with the search. After several changes trying to find Main St. - Mast General Store and Main St Loop -
Wal-Mart we finally found the historic downtown Waynesville area.
Very quaint - old fashioned downtown Main Street with lots and lots of people and little parking. We were lucky as we pulled up a car in the handicap parking pulled out. There were lots of Art stores with beautiful pictures. Of course because it was tourist area - very pricey!
We found Mast and explored all 3 floors. There was a little bit of everything - top floor was camping, hiking supplies - main floor was mostly clothes. I thought the third floor was the most interesting. about half the size of the are was covered with big wooden barrels of candy! They claim there are more than 500 varieties. Lots of old fashioned and hard to find candies.
They also had an area of toys - also old fashioned ones - made me think of the ones we had when we were young. All the floors in Mast were the old wooden ones and when you were downstairs you could hear the constant "creak, creak, creaking". Kind of a weird sound especially this close to Halloween!
After we left Mast we kept following Main Street and finally found Wal-Mart. We needed a few frozen meals, milk and water. Sam also needed more socks - it gets cold at night!
We went back to the RV and enjoyed the fact that we had cable and could watch TV and see what was going on in the world. When we got hungry we heated up leftovers from "Snappy's. Still couldn't eat it all! But just as good heated up!
TV - Bed - reading a good book - yup - this is the life!
Wal-Mart we finally found the historic downtown Waynesville area.
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| Court house in Waynesville, NC |
We found Mast and explored all 3 floors. There was a little bit of everything - top floor was camping, hiking supplies - main floor was mostly clothes. I thought the third floor was the most interesting. about half the size of the are was covered with big wooden barrels of candy! They claim there are more than 500 varieties. Lots of old fashioned and hard to find candies.
They also had an area of toys - also old fashioned ones - made me think of the ones we had when we were young. All the floors in Mast were the old wooden ones and when you were downstairs you could hear the constant "creak, creak, creaking". Kind of a weird sound especially this close to Halloween!
After we left Mast we kept following Main Street and finally found Wal-Mart. We needed a few frozen meals, milk and water. Sam also needed more socks - it gets cold at night!
We went back to the RV and enjoyed the fact that we had cable and could watch TV and see what was going on in the world. When we got hungry we heated up leftovers from "Snappy's. Still couldn't eat it all! But just as good heated up!
TV - Bed - reading a good book - yup - this is the life!
October 27, 2010 - Wednesday
It had rained really hard during the night but had stopped by the time we got up. We did a few last minute things getting ready to leave after having our coffee. Disconnected everything and brought in the slides. We decided to go dump, then turn around in the parking lot so we could be on the right side to get propane filled and then we would go back to our site and hook up the dolly and the bug and then hit the road.
When we got to the dump site and got out of the RV it started to rain. When we got to the office to have someone come for the propane it started to pour! When we got back to hook up the bug it was still pouring! After we were ready to leave we both had to change into dry warm clothes and then we finally hit the road. We still had to stop and fill up with gas for the RV. We went to Fuel City - easy in and out - to fill up. While Sam pumped gas I bought chicken for us to eat while we were traveling.
After 6 hours of travel - up and down mountains - in the rain, then sun, more rain and more sun we finally arrived at Pride RV Park outside of Waynesville, N.C. When we checked in we were given a gift certificate to Snappy's Italian Restaurant. After setting everything up we headed out to find food!
Oh my - the food was good and way too much! The waitress was explaining the special - Italian Meatloaf - "the chef starts with a pound of ground chuck...". We brought the leftovers back to the RV.
Seems like it was a long day - I fell right to sleep but Sam was sore and had trouble getting to sleep.
When we got to the dump site and got out of the RV it started to rain. When we got to the office to have someone come for the propane it started to pour! When we got back to hook up the bug it was still pouring! After we were ready to leave we both had to change into dry warm clothes and then we finally hit the road. We still had to stop and fill up with gas for the RV. We went to Fuel City - easy in and out - to fill up. While Sam pumped gas I bought chicken for us to eat while we were traveling.
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| The Great Smoky Mountains and our welcome to North Carolina |
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| The view from our RV at Pride RV Park in NC. |
Oh my - the food was good and way too much! The waitress was explaining the special - Italian Meatloaf - "the chef starts with a pound of ground chuck...". We brought the leftovers back to the RV.
Seems like it was a long day - I fell right to sleep but Sam was sore and had trouble getting to sleep.
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