5/29 Tuesday After a phone call this morning to Beaufort to see if a show we saw on TV was current news or from another year, we decided the extended stay in Wilmington, NC was off the agenda. Instead we headed into Fayetteville and will make a day trip to Wilmington when our friends catch up with us here. There area some things that we are sure they would enjoy seeing and doing, so we will find a dog sitter here and then make a full day trip over there. It is likely we will see what interests us most in one day.
The Lazy Acres campground is especially attractive. They have gone about the park attaching flowering baskets to the trees. Someone is doing a good job keeping these healthy, attractive and very colorful. It turns out that Eddie Montgomery is the driving force to get these plants out and cared for. I talked with him and told him how much of a difference these plants made.
In many ways we hated to leave the North Bay Shore campground because the people were so friendly. With the crowds from the weekend gone yesterday, it was very quiet in the park. Even with the crowds, everyone was on great behavior and noise was not an issue. Even when the septic system alarm sounded around 3:30 this morning, Fred could not apologize enough for disturbing our sleep and possibly making our drive today more difficult because we were likely tired before even leaving. Granny, Fred’s 89-year old aunt was also someone you enjoyed being around. She had more fun telling people this weekend that Fred said no 40’ coaches and Granny maintained it was a full 12” less, so it was okay to stay. She told Fred he could either let us stay at the park or she would put us up in her yard and we could plug into the power on the porch. We hope our travels will bring us back there sometime in the future.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tabernacle UMC
5/27 Sunday We attended the Tabernacle United Methodist Church located a short distance from the park. It is a small church and laid back (more traditional style service). They were a very open and friendly congregation. A woman who turned out to have lived only minutes from us in Houston greeted us at the door. Others there also had ties to the Houston area. They took time to greet one another, then all the time needed to share concerns and celebrate good news. Pastor Jack Davis gave a good message interspersed with stories that made the message more meaningful and not like a well rehearsed presentation. After church it was off to eat at a restaurant the locals recommend that was so close we hardly managed to get our seatbelts fastened before we were getting out.
The back A/C has decided it does not want to work, so I decided to check the unit to see if there was anything I could do to get it back running. While fumbling around with the wires looking for a problem I moved a wire and realized there was a black capacitor hiding under everything in the control box and it had burned up. It looked as if it is the only problem, as the wires don’t appear damaged at all. I will find a replacement part down the road in a day or so at an RV supply center because almost all RV A/C units have been produced under the Dometic brand name and this likely is a part that causes as much trouble on these units as does the starting capacitor on home units.
Much of the afternoon and evening was spent watching either the Indy 500 or the Coke 600 NASCAR race at Concord. This once little town of Concord is now trying to get its own identity as the location of the Lowe’s Speedway vs. Charlotte. The distance to Charlotte is over 20 miles. People unfamiliar with the area that fly in for the race will likely be surprised how far they must drive up I-77 and then I-85 to get there.
The back A/C has decided it does not want to work, so I decided to check the unit to see if there was anything I could do to get it back running. While fumbling around with the wires looking for a problem I moved a wire and realized there was a black capacitor hiding under everything in the control box and it had burned up. It looked as if it is the only problem, as the wires don’t appear damaged at all. I will find a replacement part down the road in a day or so at an RV supply center because almost all RV A/C units have been produced under the Dometic brand name and this likely is a part that causes as much trouble on these units as does the starting capacitor on home units.
Much of the afternoon and evening was spent watching either the Indy 500 or the Coke 600 NASCAR race at Concord. This once little town of Concord is now trying to get its own identity as the location of the Lowe’s Speedway vs. Charlotte. The distance to Charlotte is over 20 miles. People unfamiliar with the area that fly in for the race will likely be surprised how far they must drive up I-77 and then I-85 to get there.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Norfolk, VA - Eisenhower Aircraft Carrier
The Eisenhower back from tour
This is the Cole that was attacked killing 11 sailors
BB WisconsinBow damage ship suffered in fog. They took the bow from a ship of the same class during construction and put it on the Wisconsin
One of many ships in a floating dry dock for repairs
This is the Eisenhower that has just returned from 7-1/2 month tour supporting troupes in Iraq.
5/24 Thursday Our day was planned around go to the aquarium and IMAX. However, Mom did not get rolling early, so being retired and flexible, we were of to Norfolk to see the Battleship Wisconsin and vessels that were in port. The carrier Eisenhower (Ike) is one of those best known ships in port, so we wanted to see her while we were in the area. Of course she had another four ships with her, but everyone is talking about the Ike being home.
The Wisconsin is basically on loan from the Navy to Norfolk. This ship was commissioned I late 1944 and saw service until 1991 when it was used to support the troupes fighting in Desert Storm. They also thought there was a possibility that she could be put back into service recently. She is kept in a condition where she must be ready to go back into full fighting service within 6-months of being activated. As you toured the decks, the main and two desks above, men who have been on ships during their Navy careers greet you. One man was especially knowledgeable and ready to give you the details from his 13 years of experience. There were others around the ship also ready to give you information. We did find one man who had been volunteering only for 3-weeks. He said they had a huge manual to digest so they could be better guides and it was really a lot of work considering this was his “second job”. He was well past retirement age, but he was involved in post-secondary instruction and having a great time teaching.
Heading from the Wisconsin over to the naval base cruise ship, we took a 2-hour run up past the Naval ships. We saw a few ships that could take on water in their ballast tanks causing the ship to sink low in the water, and then they would float small vessels inside. When they emptied these ballast tanks bringing the ship back up, they were ready to transport the smaller ships anywhere in the world. Private companies who contract to the Navy own these ships. They are also painted gray like the Naval vessels they travel with, but they have colored horizontal stripes on the stack that denotes the company. This is true of one ship our captain likened to a floating 7-11, another that was a refueling tanker, and several that were supply vessels. The tanker holds about 7 million gallons of jet fuel. It you were to assume the government pays $3.00 per gallon for this jet fuel (likely it is a lot more) then the cargo value would be about $22.5 million dollars.
One ship we passed was the USS Cole that was bombed several years ago. She is back in full service and they say she shows no signs of the attack. The attack was on the port side and my picture is of the starboard side. A little beyond was the Eisenhower with the red-white-blue bunting on the bow. She is big and sleek in her design. The decks appeared to be clear of aircraft and sailors. We understood from two female sailors that were on our harbor cruise that family members were able to board the Ike the previous two days, but now it was very quiet around the ship.
To avoid some of the circumstances surrounding the attack on the Cole, there are white buoys now placed about 400’ around the ships. Anyone crossing these buoys becomes immediate live target practice. There are also boats that are patrolling who could radio if anything looks suspicious.
Although this Norfolk area was known for ship building in the WW-II, it is only a repair facility today. They have many floating dry-docks they submerge, then float the ship into before pumping the water out until it is again dry. They have a floating ‘hotel’ that the necessary crew will live in while their ship is in dry-dock next door. It has all the facilities they need to live in full-time, but it lacks room service.
One of many ships in a floating dry dock for repairs
This is the Eisenhower that has just returned from 7-1/2 month tour supporting troupes in Iraq.
5/24 Thursday Our day was planned around go to the aquarium and IMAX. However, Mom did not get rolling early, so being retired and flexible, we were of to Norfolk to see the Battleship Wisconsin and vessels that were in port. The carrier Eisenhower (Ike) is one of those best known ships in port, so we wanted to see her while we were in the area. Of course she had another four ships with her, but everyone is talking about the Ike being home.
The Wisconsin is basically on loan from the Navy to Norfolk. This ship was commissioned I late 1944 and saw service until 1991 when it was used to support the troupes fighting in Desert Storm. They also thought there was a possibility that she could be put back into service recently. She is kept in a condition where she must be ready to go back into full fighting service within 6-months of being activated. As you toured the decks, the main and two desks above, men who have been on ships during their Navy careers greet you. One man was especially knowledgeable and ready to give you the details from his 13 years of experience. There were others around the ship also ready to give you information. We did find one man who had been volunteering only for 3-weeks. He said they had a huge manual to digest so they could be better guides and it was really a lot of work considering this was his “second job”. He was well past retirement age, but he was involved in post-secondary instruction and having a great time teaching.
Heading from the Wisconsin over to the naval base cruise ship, we took a 2-hour run up past the Naval ships. We saw a few ships that could take on water in their ballast tanks causing the ship to sink low in the water, and then they would float small vessels inside. When they emptied these ballast tanks bringing the ship back up, they were ready to transport the smaller ships anywhere in the world. Private companies who contract to the Navy own these ships. They are also painted gray like the Naval vessels they travel with, but they have colored horizontal stripes on the stack that denotes the company. This is true of one ship our captain likened to a floating 7-11, another that was a refueling tanker, and several that were supply vessels. The tanker holds about 7 million gallons of jet fuel. It you were to assume the government pays $3.00 per gallon for this jet fuel (likely it is a lot more) then the cargo value would be about $22.5 million dollars.
One ship we passed was the USS Cole that was bombed several years ago. She is back in full service and they say she shows no signs of the attack. The attack was on the port side and my picture is of the starboard side. A little beyond was the Eisenhower with the red-white-blue bunting on the bow. She is big and sleek in her design. The decks appeared to be clear of aircraft and sailors. We understood from two female sailors that were on our harbor cruise that family members were able to board the Ike the previous two days, but now it was very quiet around the ship.
To avoid some of the circumstances surrounding the attack on the Cole, there are white buoys now placed about 400’ around the ships. Anyone crossing these buoys becomes immediate live target practice. There are also boats that are patrolling who could radio if anything looks suspicious.
Although this Norfolk area was known for ship building in the WW-II, it is only a repair facility today. They have many floating dry-docks they submerge, then float the ship into before pumping the water out until it is again dry. They have a floating ‘hotel’ that the necessary crew will live in while their ship is in dry-dock next door. It has all the facilities they need to live in full-time, but it lacks room service.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Cape Henry, Virginia Beach, VA
Cape Henry Lighthouse 1791
The old and the new
Cross where the first colonists landed at Cape Henry before moving to Jamestown. Original cross was wood.
Map of the battle
5/22 Tuesday After one of the best nights sleep in awhile; we were wakened by the thunder of jets taking off at 8:30. From then on there are jets in the air almost all the time. The Eisenhower has returned from the Persian Gulf, so they were sending the planes back to Oceana Naval Air Station until they go back out to sea in July. They had been on tour for 7-1/2 months, so everyone aboard ship is happy to be home. They retuned the fighters in formations ranging from 10 to 16 planes. They were launched from the Eisenhower about 40 miles off shore for the estimated 6-minute flight. These pilots must have found it so relaxing to land on something that was wide, long and not moving! Along with the Eisenhower, four other ships returned with her as part of that fleet.
Upon leaving there, we headed up to Fort Story to see the lighthouses. That was our first experienced going onto a military base, in this case a Coast Guard base, and they went through and around the car just like you see on TV in Iraq. There were six men that checked the car including four who checked under the car with mirrors. We had to open the glove box, get out and open the hood, and stand there while they went around and through the car. Both of us had to show our driver’s license. On the way out, a FedEx truck was waiting to come in. I imagine that driver hates making deliveries on base because it is likely they take so long to clear him he would otherwise have made 10 or more deliveries outside the base in the same time. Unfortunately, with the recent attempted attack on Fort Dix, the military cannot be too careful and good citizens must accept what the bad guys have shown they can do.
There two lighthouses on the grounds. The Cape Henry Lighthouse dates back to 1792. It has now been replaced by a newer facility that is higher and automated. This newer facility is not open to the public. We walked up in the old lighthouse and had a very good view of Chesapeake Bay. The day was quite clear allowing us to see part of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel system.
The Cape Hope lighthouse was authorized by the First Congress and was the first pubic works project of the government. The bid set the stage for all federal projects that followed. General George Washington even reviewed the bid before it was awarded. This lighthouse was very important to the shipping traffic safety in the Virginia Capes.
We visited the Holy Cross location originally erected by the British settlers when they first landed in April 1607, before they moved up the Chesapeake to Jamestown and established the first permanent settlement in May 1607. They named this area Cape Henry after Henry, Prince of Wales. Currently this area is sponsoring events over 15 months to celebrate the 400th anniversary of this original Jamestown settlement.
This area has added history when the Americans war for independence from Britain was not going well because the British were so disciplined and trained and the Colonists lacked both. George Washington recognized the war efforts needed a substantial victory, so he contacted French Captain Francois deGrasse in 1781 to sail his fleet of 19 ships and meet at Cape Henry where the French would block British ships bringing men and supplies bound for Yorktown, the area the British were fortifying to fight the Colonists. Washington’s whole plan depended on deGrasses’ fleet arriving on time and defeating the British. The battle went on for four days, but in the end the French had severely damaged or destroyed multiple British ships causing them to retreat. This broke the British defense and gave the Colonists the success they needed to revitalize their fighting efforts against the British.
The old and the new
Cross where the first colonists landed at Cape Henry before moving to Jamestown. Original cross was wood.
Map of the battle5/22 Tuesday After one of the best nights sleep in awhile; we were wakened by the thunder of jets taking off at 8:30. From then on there are jets in the air almost all the time. The Eisenhower has returned from the Persian Gulf, so they were sending the planes back to Oceana Naval Air Station until they go back out to sea in July. They had been on tour for 7-1/2 months, so everyone aboard ship is happy to be home. They retuned the fighters in formations ranging from 10 to 16 planes. They were launched from the Eisenhower about 40 miles off shore for the estimated 6-minute flight. These pilots must have found it so relaxing to land on something that was wide, long and not moving! Along with the Eisenhower, four other ships returned with her as part of that fleet.
Upon leaving there, we headed up to Fort Story to see the lighthouses. That was our first experienced going onto a military base, in this case a Coast Guard base, and they went through and around the car just like you see on TV in Iraq. There were six men that checked the car including four who checked under the car with mirrors. We had to open the glove box, get out and open the hood, and stand there while they went around and through the car. Both of us had to show our driver’s license. On the way out, a FedEx truck was waiting to come in. I imagine that driver hates making deliveries on base because it is likely they take so long to clear him he would otherwise have made 10 or more deliveries outside the base in the same time. Unfortunately, with the recent attempted attack on Fort Dix, the military cannot be too careful and good citizens must accept what the bad guys have shown they can do.
There two lighthouses on the grounds. The Cape Henry Lighthouse dates back to 1792. It has now been replaced by a newer facility that is higher and automated. This newer facility is not open to the public. We walked up in the old lighthouse and had a very good view of Chesapeake Bay. The day was quite clear allowing us to see part of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel system.
The Cape Hope lighthouse was authorized by the First Congress and was the first pubic works project of the government. The bid set the stage for all federal projects that followed. General George Washington even reviewed the bid before it was awarded. This lighthouse was very important to the shipping traffic safety in the Virginia Capes.
We visited the Holy Cross location originally erected by the British settlers when they first landed in April 1607, before they moved up the Chesapeake to Jamestown and established the first permanent settlement in May 1607. They named this area Cape Henry after Henry, Prince of Wales. Currently this area is sponsoring events over 15 months to celebrate the 400th anniversary of this original Jamestown settlement.
This area has added history when the Americans war for independence from Britain was not going well because the British were so disciplined and trained and the Colonists lacked both. George Washington recognized the war efforts needed a substantial victory, so he contacted French Captain Francois deGrasse in 1781 to sail his fleet of 19 ships and meet at Cape Henry where the French would block British ships bringing men and supplies bound for Yorktown, the area the British were fortifying to fight the Colonists. Washington’s whole plan depended on deGrasses’ fleet arriving on time and defeating the British. The battle went on for four days, but in the end the French had severely damaged or destroyed multiple British ships causing them to retreat. This broke the British defense and gave the Colonists the success they needed to revitalize their fighting efforts against the British.
Raleigh - Bay Leaf community
Bay Leaf VFD station
Extra engine that did not fit
Here is a really good idea
A very busy place and most knew what they were there for and how to not waste time
Kids having fun. Wonder how many PFDs they were short? Bet it was a lot as 2 boats had 14 people on them
5/20 Sunday I attended the Bay Leaf Baptist Church today. Looking at the church from the outside a few days ago, it appeared not that large. When I entered, it was a long way to the front. This church is able to boast a large number of active youth including 18 who were the choir today. This congregation also includes at least five members of the Southeast Baptist Seminary staff. One of these five men provided the sermon that sounded more like a seminary lecture than a sermon.
On the way home, I went past the Bay Leaf Volunteer Fire Department. They have three engines, but they built a two bay fire station. Apparently they bought the third engine after the firehouse was built. The firehouse is only large enough to park the equipment. The garage doors have glass panels so you can their equipment. There are many stations in this area that incorporate these glass doors, but none of these are as small and attractive as was this station. I took some pictures of the firehouse because it was so unique. I am sure the insurance rate on the homes next door is one of the very best rates possible. I suspect one of the homeowners provided the land needed. This community is rather small, but some of the homes are quite attractive and expensive, so having their own firehouse close by was advantageous for everyone.
Later in the day we went to a boat launch to watch the boaters launch and trailer their watercraft. We ended up there quite awhile as a couple came up and started a conversation. They were from New Jersey but moved about 5 miles from the launch point about a year ago. Now they wanted to get a boat but were attempting to determine if they could launch and retrieve a boat. We give them encouragement, but I am not really sure if our information sealed a boat purchase or not. They have boys 11 and 14-years old, so they were looking for something they could do with them and the lake was so close.
On the way home, I went past the Bay Leaf Volunteer Fire Department. They have three engines, but they built a two bay fire station. Apparently they bought the third engine after the firehouse was built. The firehouse is only large enough to park the equipment. The garage doors have glass panels so you can their equipment. There are many stations in this area that incorporate these glass doors, but none of these are as small and attractive as was this station. I took some pictures of the firehouse because it was so unique. I am sure the insurance rate on the homes next door is one of the very best rates possible. I suspect one of the homeowners provided the land needed. This community is rather small, but some of the homes are quite attractive and expensive, so having their own firehouse close by was advantageous for everyone.
Later in the day we went to a boat launch to watch the boaters launch and trailer their watercraft. We ended up there quite awhile as a couple came up and started a conversation. They were from New Jersey but moved about 5 miles from the launch point about a year ago. Now they wanted to get a boat but were attempting to determine if they could launch and retrieve a boat. We give them encouragement, but I am not really sure if our information sealed a boat purchase or not. They have boys 11 and 14-years old, so they were looking for something they could do with them and the lake was so close.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Raleigh, NC
Saturday 5/9
Our plan is to drive into Raleigh and see the state capital buildings. Traveling through multiple country roads with the aid of our GPS computer program, we arrived in downtown Raleigh. The country around here change names at intersections and there are no signs to assist you get downtown. Sometimes the turns onto new roads came so quickly that the GPS did not have time to print out instructions for the next turn.
Arriving downtown, we were greeted by a festival that had many blocks closed and traffic. The traffic was almost like getting out of Houston on Friday afternoon. We moved to the other side of the Capital Building and found free street parking, yes in Raleigh they have plentiful free parking downtown, and this spot was well shaded. This was great as we had the dogs with us. The temperature was just under 70 with a breeze, so the conditions were great for their staying in the car. We did not think we could convenience anyone in the capital building that they were seeing eye dogs.
We walked about a block to the capital. Upon arriving, we learned this was the capital until 1960 when they moved from this building to another a block away. The capital building we were in was used from 1833 until 1960. This building replaced one on the same site that burned in 1832. This building is not especially impressive in its design, but you can feel the history when you walk through. There are plaques and monuments recognizing their proud Confederate history and attempt to secede from United States. When you walk in they hand out a copy of the “Ordinance of Secession”. The large monument in front of the Capital (the west side) recognized those lost in the states’ fight while serving as Confederate soldiers. One monument recognizes Private Henry Lawson Wyatt who is the first North Carolina Confederate soldier to die in the War Between the States.
Other plaques recognize those from the state who signed the Declaration of Independence and those who had been lost in all the other wars before and after the War Between the States. Before we were able to enter the building, I had to produce my driver’s license, the result of 9-11 and things brought on average citizens. Even though no government officials are housed in the building, nor is any government meeting held here, this is a requirement.
Today Confederate soldiers in uniform were all over the grounds. They moved in last night and spent the night in tents. When we arrived they were having an early lunch that had been prepared on the BBQ pit behind one tent area. For sure, they were prepared for some cold weather based on the amount of firewood they had stacked up. Of course each man had his musket in hand. Many had bayonets in place ready for hand to hand combat.
Leaving there, we went to the Museum of History across the street. They had displays on two floors related to all the wars fought in this country up to the Gulf War on display as well as equipment from Colonial farming days. Included in the display was a car driven by Junior Johnson who was one of the first winners in what we now know as NASCAR racing. Junior had made his living for years delivering with moonshine and running from the ‘revenuers’. Some of the uniformed ‘Confederate’ soldiers were in the museum telling the stories of many displays. This complex is well worth visiting when in the area.
From there it was off to the Botanical Garden. This facility has plants from around the world as well as providing a very large experimental garden, about the size of a football field, for new varieties of flowers. The dogs enjoyed walking around in the grass, but by the end of the walk they were both ready to get in the car and take a nap. This garden was not the showy place that the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden was that we enjoyed on 5/16 in Greensboro. This is more a practical experimental facility but very much worth visiting.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Piedmont Environmental Center - North Carolina
Heading off into the woods
Good map of the area - should not get lost
Map showing the area - we should not get lost
Thank goodness, we found our way out
Map you walk on showing the Revolutionary battle fields
5/16/07
We have now traveled to High Point, NC. According to the information, the area derived its name because it is the highest area in the state. It is a nice little city with a real interesting downtown. I took pictures of some of the more recent architectural examples of their extreme engineering projects. One building appears to be the port side of a large, old ship. Another is the vehicle waiting area fully covered in thick Plexiglas but very nicely decorated with flowers. In the background is the convention center that is very attractive because it is not the normal straight front building so typical of these structures.
Backing up a little, we had dinner Monday night with good friends Joe and Francis Clayton in Charlotte. These folks worked with us last year at Carowinds Amusement Park in Charlotte. They are back for their 3rd summer – they are TOUGH! They have a daughter and grandkids not very far away, so this gives them a great place to stay and work while seeing family. We had dinner together. This was our first experience eating a chain that led us through the kitchen on the way to our table. The restaurant is made up of small rooms, so if you head out to the restroom and don’t remember in which room you were seated, a mistake Joe made one time, you can be in trouble. The meal was good, or maybe it was really good due to the company; we had a great time with them!
We did visit the Piedmont Environmental Center today. Generally this is a large forest area that has paths cut here and there. It appears the Boy Scouts have also had a hand in development of this facility. One project was a large plywood board showing the various trails and their names. We confidently headed out to walk the Dogwood trail, but to get there we had to walk another trail until the Dogwood trail which was the second trail intersection and turn right.
In theory this should work, but some of the trails that we encountered were not marked while some of the marked trails had their markings fade to the point you could not determine if the color you were checking was red, orange or more silver (the paint had almost totally faded or come off the base metal). Before it was over we were lost. In addition, we were the only people out on the trail. A few of my unused Boy Scout skills (even I find this questionable) came out and I remembered we had crossed a little creek on the way in. Finding ourselves at a lake, we kept following trails that stayed close to a creek. In awhile we topped a hill and found the bridge that had originally carried us over the creek. With that excitement, it was time to head for the house for the evening.
Good map of the area - should not get lostMap showing the area - we should not get lost
Thank goodness, we found our way out
Map you walk on showing the Revolutionary battle fields
5/16/07
We have now traveled to High Point, NC. According to the information, the area derived its name because it is the highest area in the state. It is a nice little city with a real interesting downtown. I took pictures of some of the more recent architectural examples of their extreme engineering projects. One building appears to be the port side of a large, old ship. Another is the vehicle waiting area fully covered in thick Plexiglas but very nicely decorated with flowers. In the background is the convention center that is very attractive because it is not the normal straight front building so typical of these structures.
Backing up a little, we had dinner Monday night with good friends Joe and Francis Clayton in Charlotte. These folks worked with us last year at Carowinds Amusement Park in Charlotte. They are back for their 3rd summer – they are TOUGH! They have a daughter and grandkids not very far away, so this gives them a great place to stay and work while seeing family. We had dinner together. This was our first experience eating a chain that led us through the kitchen on the way to our table. The restaurant is made up of small rooms, so if you head out to the restroom and don’t remember in which room you were seated, a mistake Joe made one time, you can be in trouble. The meal was good, or maybe it was really good due to the company; we had a great time with them!
We did visit the Piedmont Environmental Center today. Generally this is a large forest area that has paths cut here and there. It appears the Boy Scouts have also had a hand in development of this facility. One project was a large plywood board showing the various trails and their names. We confidently headed out to walk the Dogwood trail, but to get there we had to walk another trail until the Dogwood trail which was the second trail intersection and turn right.
In theory this should work, but some of the trails that we encountered were not marked while some of the marked trails had their markings fade to the point you could not determine if the color you were checking was red, orange or more silver (the paint had almost totally faded or come off the base metal). Before it was over we were lost. In addition, we were the only people out on the trail. A few of my unused Boy Scout skills (even I find this questionable) came out and I remembered we had crossed a little creek on the way in. Finding ourselves at a lake, we kept following trails that stayed close to a creek. In awhile we topped a hill and found the bridge that had originally carried us over the creek. With that excitement, it was time to head for the house for the evening.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Kings Mountain, NC
Kings Mountain 'train station' from another era.
More of the complex
They still post the station sign
One of the little fuzzy people at Freightliner waiting for service to be completed
With rains Friday and Saturday, the wildflowers along 74 came out in profusion.
5/7 Monday Another week has slipped away from us; how time does fly! We went to the Freightliner chassis assembly plant in Gaffney, SC and took the tour there. Having been to plants such as Chevrolet and Alfa RV, my expectations were set way too high. Although the tour had only 5 people and the guide knew all were owners of RVs set on Freightliner chassis, he focused on the truck and bus line and all but raced past the RV line. By the way, the guide, although he appeared rather knowledgeable of the products due to the years he had worked there, was the security guard employed by a plant contractor. I would have anticipated Freightliner would assign an articulate employee this duty. Even the guides at the Jack Daniels Distillery were company true, experienced employees.
Pictures were not allowed, however, I did not see anything that could have been deemed proprietary. The group all agreed the tour was disappointing because so little included related to RVs and the guide was not much into taking questions. Anyone who pressed a question was given a very general answer. For example, I pressed him on when the 2007 Mercedes engine was first installed? His answer was, “A few months ago and if you had one, you would already know it”. Turns out I do have a 2006 engine (meets 2006 EPA requirements) but a 2007 coach produced on the 2007 year design.
One thing I did notice was the noise level in the plant and the apparent lack of ear protection used by the workers. Dealing with large pieces of metal, some of which are occasionally dropped, the use of air tools, the running of equipment that operates the lines that carried the chassis’s through the assembly, the running of many delivery vehicles often running with the back-up horn sounding, and the noise of engines running in one area, the facility is quite loud. As visitors, we were wearing headphones so we could hear our guide over all the noise. I must say this was a real help. These headphones did muffle some of the noise, but I personally found the noise level to be excessive / uncomfortable. Over years, it would seem this would have an impact on the worker’s hearing.
We have been the ‘guest’ of Young RV in Kings Mountain, NC getting warranty work completed. I must say that Tommie Young has a nice dealership and some nice technicians. We were fortunate to have Greg working on our unit. JB, the service manager, worked to make us happy and did a good job. As we stayed around several extra days waiting for a part to come in from Mandalay (yes, it arrived and it was the wrong size and the replacement took another week), the list of “things” became longer. Still, JB and Greg worked to handle everything. We are likely a bit more demanding on the way things work and whether something looks right or not, so our list of warranty is undoubtly greater than most owners who only use their coach in the summer. If you need service on Mandalay or a line they market, we would recommend your letting them handle things if you are going to be in the area.
We did take advantage of the time in Kings Mountain to do some sightseeing. The locals have worked hard to retain the old flavor of their town. Although many buildings have found new business adventures inside, they have tried to keep the exterior the same. In the case of the train station, instead of abandoning it, they have used part as a museum and part as office space for two different businesses. The station is a pleasure to look at.
Hopefully, tomorrow will see us traveling to Charlotte. The weather is running between 47 and 70 with sun and blue skies, so it is really a nice time to be here. The weather to the north appears to be warm, so we are ready to head north with a stop in Williamsburg. I know it will be different from the time I was there about 55 years ago. I hope I am not disappointed!
Pictures were not allowed, however, I did not see anything that could have been deemed proprietary. The group all agreed the tour was disappointing because so little included related to RVs and the guide was not much into taking questions. Anyone who pressed a question was given a very general answer. For example, I pressed him on when the 2007 Mercedes engine was first installed? His answer was, “A few months ago and if you had one, you would already know it”. Turns out I do have a 2006 engine (meets 2006 EPA requirements) but a 2007 coach produced on the 2007 year design.
One thing I did notice was the noise level in the plant and the apparent lack of ear protection used by the workers. Dealing with large pieces of metal, some of which are occasionally dropped, the use of air tools, the running of equipment that operates the lines that carried the chassis’s through the assembly, the running of many delivery vehicles often running with the back-up horn sounding, and the noise of engines running in one area, the facility is quite loud. As visitors, we were wearing headphones so we could hear our guide over all the noise. I must say this was a real help. These headphones did muffle some of the noise, but I personally found the noise level to be excessive / uncomfortable. Over years, it would seem this would have an impact on the worker’s hearing.
We have been the ‘guest’ of Young RV in Kings Mountain, NC getting warranty work completed. I must say that Tommie Young has a nice dealership and some nice technicians. We were fortunate to have Greg working on our unit. JB, the service manager, worked to make us happy and did a good job. As we stayed around several extra days waiting for a part to come in from Mandalay (yes, it arrived and it was the wrong size and the replacement took another week), the list of “things” became longer. Still, JB and Greg worked to handle everything. We are likely a bit more demanding on the way things work and whether something looks right or not, so our list of warranty is undoubtly greater than most owners who only use their coach in the summer. If you need service on Mandalay or a line they market, we would recommend your letting them handle things if you are going to be in the area.
We did take advantage of the time in Kings Mountain to do some sightseeing. The locals have worked hard to retain the old flavor of their town. Although many buildings have found new business adventures inside, they have tried to keep the exterior the same. In the case of the train station, instead of abandoning it, they have used part as a museum and part as office space for two different businesses. The station is a pleasure to look at.
Hopefully, tomorrow will see us traveling to Charlotte. The weather is running between 47 and 70 with sun and blue skies, so it is really a nice time to be here. The weather to the north appears to be warm, so we are ready to head north with a stop in Williamsburg. I know it will be different from the time I was there about 55 years ago. I hope I am not disappointed!
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