Heading South - 2017

August 10 - Wednesday

It started raining as we left the campground and a lumber truck blocked the dump station, so we neglected to dump the van, and it needed dumping.

We drove through Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. We ate a a Cracker Barrel for lunch. They had Patriots gear for sale. We arrived at Mike's at 6:30. We ate a nice meal of sea bass cooked on the grill. We sat on the front porch and swatted mosquitoes. We talked with Mike, Cathy and Rob until late. We had a good laugh when Rob made a reference to Al, which led us to watching talking animal videos on youtube (Daytime/Nighttime; Steve/Al)

August 11 - Thursday

Everyone else went to work. We saw Cathy before she left. We drove to DAR State Forest to dump, then stopped at Big-Y and the local coop and CVS. We spent time at the Button Box, playing pricey concertinas. The fellow at the store was very friendly and helpful. He took apart the concertina to see what repairs it needed. He also priced it for us. He gave us an estimate for fixing a few things and tuning the concertina. He let Tim sit and play concertinas while he was assisting another customer. The room for the concertinas was about 12x12 and contained over fifty concertinas.

Back at Mike's, we rested until Karen arrived. Bobbi taught a Yoga class to Cathy and her neighborhood friends, while Mike, Karen and Tim walked the dogs at DAR. We had a nice time reminiscing about old times.

We all drove to Northampton and Mike treated us to dinner at the Eastside Grill. It was a fun evening.

The big meteor shower was that night, but it was cloudy and raining. Just before bed, the clouds broke. Tim watched for meteors with Karen and Cathy on the back deck. We saw a few, then the clouds and rain rolled back in.

August 12 - Friday

Saw Cathy and Karen in the morning, before they took off. We went back to the Button Box to leave the concertina to be repaired and tuned. They will ship it Miami when it is done.

Arrived in Pittsfield State Forest around 3. We took the Berry Pond Loop by mistake. It is a narrow, one-way, steep and winding road. The campsite we wanted was all the way back down the mountain, on a side road to the way we drove in. We camped on the side of a hill in a field. No dump station.

Arrived at Tanglewood at 6, then meditated. We enjoyed the concert, especially Bolero.

Back to the campground by 11.



August 13 - Saturday

Drive, drive, drive. Drove from Pittsfield to Shenandoah. We missed a campsite by an hour. We stayed at a Jellystone Resort for $97. Kids love it.

August 14 - Sunday

Drive, drive, drive. We arrived in Brevard. Went into town and drove around. We ate at the Sora Japanese restaurant. Every time we visit Brevard, we have at least one dinner at this restaurant.


We rented Bridge of Spies at a Red Box. We didn't finish watching it.

August 15 - Monday

Went to town to walk around. Tim bought a bumper sticker, Bobbi bought a dish, and a surprise guitar magnet for Tim.

Next, we went to the guitar store. They had a resonator guitar for sale for $500. Bobbi liked the sound too, so she bought it for Tim. Tim had been looking for a resonator, ever since he played one at the Gibson factor in Memphis. This is the same store where Tim bought the mandola, several years back.




Finished the movie and went back to town, so Bobbi could buy the spoon bracelet that she had seen earlier in the day.

August 16 - Tuesday

Drive, drive, drive. Over 500 miles on the slate today. On the road by 8:15.

In Columbia, SC, we needed propane. On the way to the store, the truck starting vibrating. We thought it was the road. Got off the highway for propane and drove on US 1. Same problem. Let air out of tires. Same problem. Went to Lovey's Service. They were busy. Went to Automotive Experts. They diagnosed a bad tire with separated steel belt. They replace the tire and we were on the road within a few hours.

Ate at Cracker Barrel again (poached eggs and pancakes). Arrived at Flagler at 9 pm. Met Steve, Mary and Briana. Talked for an hour, then went to bed.

August 17 - Wednesday

Breakfast in the morning with the whole gang. Mary and Briana headed North to Ga Tech. Dropped Steve at Enterprise, then headed home.

Tim was surprised at 6 lanes of 95 at Palm Beach. He remembers when it was only two lanes, 25 years ago. Heavy traffic. Arrived home at 3 pm. We traveled 6000 miles.