North Carolina / Travel

Things Not to Forget in September

ShirleyjdietzLeave a comment

I have just finished unpacking after our recent trip. There have been almost nonstop activities after our 18 hour drive on Wednesday. Today I have a doctor’s appointment two hours away, followed by an evening banquet – the second in as many days. There are many things I want to remember about our recent trip to Nashville and North Carolina so I need to write them down while I can. 

On the drive home, Kevin and I talked about the most memorable moments of our trip. I was a little surprised by what his were, but I totally agree. I have to write about our night at a hotel previously owned by Microtel. This hotel chain was started in Europe, from what I read. Europe is smaller and more crowded than we are across the ocean and it shows in the way they put their motels together. It was a small room. Lots of motel rooms are small, after all, not much is needed for a night’s sleep. Our room at this establishment was even smaller than that, noticeably smaller. 

On top of that, it was a room with a theme. It was the Johnny Cash room. More specifically, it was the Johnny Cash and June Carter room. They were everywhere on the walls and the bed. It was interesting at first, but got a little eerie and overwhelming by the time we went to sleep. It was a little like being watched, in the dark, by a hundred eyes. 

A decorative pillow featuring a black and white image of a woman holding a microphone and a man playing a guitar, with the text 'I WANT A LOVE LIKE JOHNNY & JUNE'.
They were everywhere, even on the pillowcases, throw pillows and blankets.

However, I soon forgot about the walls because the air conditioner kicked in and the smell took over. Maybe I am more sensitive to smells like this because I know what barns smell like. They smell warm, musty and like mouse nests.  I did get to sleep and we didn’t get sick, but I won’t forget the place. Nope. 

I also won’t forget the time with my daughter Julia and her family. My granddaughter Gwennie always fills my camera with her funny antics so there is no danger of forgetting her. We spent one day on an excursion to Pilot Mountain and Mt. Airy. It was a little over an hour to get there. Mt. Pilot sticks out, literally, like a sore thumb in the landscape.  On my trips it has been the dividing point between the Blue Ridge mountains and the Piedmont plain, but until now I had never hiked in the park. 

Plaque marking Pilot Mountain as a Registered Natural Landmark, highlighting its exceptional natural heritage value, established in 1975 by the National Park Service.
A prominent mountain peak with a flat top rises above the surrounding landscape, set against a cloudy sky.
We hiked around the cap, at the tree line.
A family stands together at a rocky formation, featuring layered stone structures. The group includes an adult man, an adult woman, and a young girl, all smiling and enjoying the outdoors.
A woman and a young girl playfully hold hands on a rocky outdoor setting, surrounded by fog and trees.
A steep rock formation rising into a foggy sky, featuring rugged textures and moss-covered surfaces.
The view up was dizzying
Aerial view of a lush green landscape with fields and wooded areas, featuring a winding road through the fields in a rural setting.
The view down was also dizzying
A woman and a young girl smiling while holding a menu at Barney's Café, showcasing sections for salads, burgers, lunches, sandwiches, beverages, and ice cream.
Lunch at Barney’s Cafe
A smiling woman and a young girl pose next to a life-sized cardboard cutout of a man in police uniform in a museum setting, showcasing a black and white checkered floor and framed photographs on the wall.
Photos with Andy Griffith in his museum

Mt. Airy was our lunch stop and added a bit of nostalgia and whimsy. The home of Andy Griffith and a museum of his life and career was fun and informative. Since getting home we’ve watched several of his movies. I kind of miss that old fashioned, sweet and innocent humor. 

That’s all for this travel post. We are getting ready for a very busy October but I hope to record more of life at Casablanca.

A hand holding a packaged adhesive medallion featuring Pilot Mountain State Park, showcasing mountains and a sunset graphic, with text indicating its suitability for wood and metal hiking sticks.
Of course, I bought another badge for my hiking stick. Of course.

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