Once again, I am back! Life has been busy these past couple of weeks! Lots of changes. Sept. 27th, I left for a much anticipated vacation. Since I was driving by myself, I split my trip up over a couple of days going and returning. In total I drove around 2500 miles in one week!
West Virginia is beautiful. One warning though...if you are planning to drive through WV on I-64/I-77 make sure to have cash on you. I was not aware that it would cost me $6.00 in tolls each way! Well, actually I did make sure to have $6.00 for the way home once I knew from the trip out.
Along the Blue Ridge Highway, I discovered Mabry Mill (ok, so I knew I would come across it). Growing up my family had a clock that had a picture of this mill in the background. I had fun taking pictures and I also talked to one of the park rangers and she gave me some history of the Mill and the surrounding area.
After visiting Mabry Mill in VA, I crossed the border a short distance and visited the town of Mount Airy, NC a.k.a. Mayberry. This is the town where Andy Griffith grew up and "The Andy Griffith Show" was based.
The house where Andy Griffith grew up is now owned by the Hampton Inn. You can reserve the house just like you would reserve a room at the hotel.
This is the squad car that gives tours of "Mayberry" for $30 a tour. I didn't want to pay that much for just me, so I stopped by the Visitor's Center and recruited two ladies to join me. Billie (red shirt) and Joy (white shirt) had never knew about Mount Airy until Joy's son (if I remember correctly) told them they should check it out. I asked them if they would like to join me on the tour and they said yes. By the time we had walked the half mile to Wally's Station to catch the tour, another lady (I can't remember her name) decided to join us. We only had to pay $7.50 each!! We had a lot of fun discovering the area and little tidbits about the show.
Here I am "locked" in Otis cell in the replica of the show's courthouse.
After being released, I took a turn at pretending to be sheriff before heading down the street to have lunch at Snappy Lunch.
Next door to Snappy's is Floyd's Barber Shop. This is the barber who cut Andy's hair and who Floyd (the character) was based. He takes pictures with the tourists who come in to visit and basically wallpapers the walls with the pictures. He gave me a t-shirt that he has the slogan "2 chairs, no waiting" printed on them. He also offered to take me to lunch, but I told him I had already eaten. I guess he likes to flirt with the girls who come in. He asked me where my husband was. When I told him I didn't have one yet, he said that he was surprised and that whoever finds me will be really lucky.
The statue of Andy and Opie outside the museum.
I finally made it to South Carolina on Monday evening just in time to attend a small group get-together with my best friend, Laura and her husband.
On Tuesday, while Laura was at work, I visited her hairstylist for a haircut. When I had her schedule me an appointment, I was intending to get my normal trim. However, when I got there I was feeling a little gutsy and decided to totally change my hairstyle. I didn't know the style I wanted, so I had her come up with a style. I didn't have a clue what style she was cutting until it was finished. When I saw how much hair was on the floor, I had to take a picture! Yes, that is all my hair! I have had so many wonderful compliments on this new style.
Laura's grandma took us to Redbone (a local restaurant) for lunch on Wednesday. I ordered the buffalo chicken garden salad. It was so big and at least half of it was buffalo chicken!!! It was so good and filling that I didn't eat supper and didn't realize it until bedtime when Laura's husband asked what we did for supper.
Laura was able to have Thursday off, so we decided to go to Myrtle Beach. After going to the beach for a few minutes, we went shopping at the outlet mall. I was happy to find a Columbia winter coat in my size for under half the cost in a department store. I also have not been able to find my size at a department store! I also found a new outfit at Lane Bryant.
On Friday morning, we had brunch at Laura's parents' house with her grandma, mom, sister, and two nephews. It was a very tasty brunch. I love sitting on the enclosed deck; it is so peaceful and pretty. After brunch, I left for Richmond, VA to attend the wedding of my other best friend, Sarah Ann.
Me with the then Bride-to Be, Sarah Ann. I was invited to attend a pre-wedding party for family the night before the wedding.
Sarah Ann & Billie opening their gift from me. This was after Sarah Ann opened up her gifts from me and explaining them to Billie. Sarah Ann & I have these pranks and traditions we have done to each other in college and some have even continued to this day. I had different items that represented these pranks and traditions. The tradition of brushing our teeth together while walking up and down the hallway, we did that night before going to bed.
The new couple just after being pronounced husband and wife.
I helped one of Sarah Ann's cousins build the cake tower. This was my first time and I was a little nervous, but it worked out...and without any fingers getting into the frosting!
This is one of my favorite pictures of the reception! I love the look on Sarah Ann's face!
Look at the size of that piece of cake! I can't believe that it didn't get any frosting on them, just because of the mere size of it!
This is me with Sarah Ann's Aunt Arlene. We were room-mates the night before the wedding. I've met her several times before, and we have fun hanging out together. I first met her when I visited her with Sarah Ann in MI.
As the couple left, we blew bubbles and tossed flowers. They were off to the Pacific NW and I was off to my journey back home.
On my way home, I needed to take a rest stop. I didn't realize it until I pulled into the McDonald's that I was in Ripley, WV. Believe it or not, I didn't know this place existed! (Pun intended!)
While driving across Ohio, I noticed all these sunbeams poking through the clouds. It looked even more cool in person!
Finally, I have reached my state line! I am almost home after being on the road for 8 days!!
The sun setting marking an end to a wonderful trip!
The following day at 7 A.M. I began my new position as the circulation coordinator and student worker supervisor at a local university. That was a week ago yesterday. I am now adjusting to my earlier start of the day. I now have to be at work earlier than the time I used to wake up! My new bed-time is now around 9-9:30 P.M. If you know me, you know how hard it is for me to go to bed that early. I am a night owl by nature. I am enjoying working with people and students again rather than working in accounting with a computer.
Another life change (not mine) that I am excited about and anticipating is the arrival of my cousin's son who could be born any day now.
