Day 66 - North Carolina

Day 66

December 16

Siler City, North Carolina

Dear Miss Smith,

         It has been a thrilling day for me and I must tell you all about it. I am enjoying a very quiet and relaxed night here in my lovely room at Celebrity Dairy Inn. My room, which I shall tell you about soon, is located on the second floor, while Katelyn & Kristina enjoy rooms on the third floor. Dogs are not allowed in the Inn here and so we have left Timber and Penelope to enjoy the entire RV tonight. I have no doubt that Timber will be sleeping on my bed and will most likely encourage Penelope to share it with him since I am sure I forgot to shut the bedroom door before we left. I’m half inclined to get up and tramp all the way out to the RV just to make sure that door is shut properly. But I’m only half inclined and think perhaps I won’t since it is a cold night and I am writing this letter from my warm bed.

         But I must tell you about our day.

         Leaving Roanoke, we drove for a while listening to 89.7 FM on the radio. Since we were going to be in the area, I decided that our trip to North Carolina just wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the radio station you listen to all day long. I was wondering, do you have the radio on when you go to bed? I never thought to ask until now. I wasn’t sure what to expect having never been in a radio station before, but those at WCPE The Classical Station were very warm and welcoming.

         Did you know that their tower is more than 1200 feet tall? We could see it for miles and knew where we were heading even before we arrived. Fancy being able to broadcast the marvelous music of the classical composers all around the world. I’m sure Benjamin Franklin would have been pleased, as would Samuel F. B. Morse, Alexander Graham Bell and the rest of those inventors.

         Tara Lynn was so very sweet when we came in and took us on a tour of the station and introduced us to many people who, up to now, have just been names on the radio. Dan McHugh was working that morning and he was kind enough to let me do one of the announcements and send my greetings to you. I do hope you were listening during that time as it’s too late to go back and do it again. You said Dan sounded “cute” on the radio, well he was even better looking in person, but my dear Miss Smith, he was entirely too young for you.

         As much as I enjoyed the tour of the station and getting to be on the air, my most thrilling moment of the morning was when David Ballantyne walked in! As you know, David was born and raised in London, England and his accent is the real thing, not one of those fake accents you hear people try and pass off nowadays. I was wearing my favorite hat and he told me it was the most extraordinarily charming hat he had seen since he was last in London. Imagine my supreme delight at those words.

         Our travels continued after finding a quaint little restaurant in Wake Forest where we ate lunch, followed by a walk around the town with the dogs. I wished it were dark and we could see all the Moravian stars lit up which are hanging in every doorway and window. It must be a lovely sight.

"Aunt Agnes"

         Oh, Miss Smith, guess what I discovered in a quaint little antique shop window. A hat just like my great, great, great, great Aunt Agnes had! I simply couldn’t resist stepping inside the shop and having a better look at it while Katelyn and Kristina held on to the dogs outside. The shop was run by an old man, and he was so kind as to take the hat out of the window so I might examine it more closely. Miss Smith, it was just like Aunt Agnes’s hat. I’ve always admired the picture of my aunt, and how often I have wished for a hat just like hers, since hers became lost in the intervening generations between her and myself, though I never could hope to look as lovely as she did.  I was torn between buying the hat and leaving it there, for I didn’t have a hat box it would fit in. (All those feathers must have some protection or it would be ruined in a week.) I mentioned that I was traveling through the area in my RV and didn’t have a way to keep it safe when I wasn’t wearing it. The man stared at me for a moment and then said, “You’d wear that thing?”

         “Oh, yes!” I replied, turning it around in my hand. “It is just like one my great, great, great, or how ever many greats it was, aunt had.”

         “Ma’am,” he replied, “if you buy that hat and will allow my granddaughter to come take a picture of you wearing it, I’ll throw in a hat box that just fits that hat, for free.”

         How could I refuse such an offer after that? In a few moments the hat was mine. A minute more and the man’s granddaughter (she works for the local paper) came and took a dozen pictures of me with my newest hat, asked many questions, and even interviewed Katelyn and Kristina. It was quite thrilling, I assure you, and my only regret was that we were not going to be around long enough to see the photo and interview in print. I did leave your name and address with the kind man, as well as the price of a paper and postage, and requested that he mail you a copy of the paper. I’m calling this hat “Aunt Agnes.”

         But our travels for the day were not over and we soon set off for the Celebrity Dairy. It is a small family farm, but the Inn is a lovely building. Actually it is two buildings— a modern Greek Revival farmhouse and an 1800 log cabin joined by a two-story atrium. The log cabin was the original settler’s cabin. There are wide porches skirting the farmhouse, and the 250-year-old oak trees are stately and grand even in the winter. I can just imagine what it must be like in the summer when everything is green.

         The dairy is known for its award winning goat cheese and is, as you may have assumed, a goat farm. Their herd is of Alpine and Saanen goats and their cheese is quite delightful. I am glad we chose to visit the Dairy for they do not ship their cheese because it would suffer in the mail.

         When we arrived, we were welcomed and greeted by our hosts Fleming and Brit, along with one of the goats, Kathryn, who is getting along in years but still seems interested in visitors.

         After getting a tour of The Inn and settling into our rooms, we were shown the barn where the goats reside. Kristina and Katelyn would have offered to help milk had there been a chance since they have goats at home, but there were no goats to milk as we came at an off time.

         Supper was delightful and then we retired to our rooms for the evening.

"Katherine's Room"

         Kristina’s room is called “Katherine’s Room” and has light pink walls. Being on the top floor causes the roof to slope down. She has a lovely window seat where one can relax and enjoy the view of the small south meadow.

Bernard's Room"

        Across the hallway from the “Katherine” is  “Bernard's Room” where Katelyn is sleeping. Her walls are also light pink but the bed frame is dark wood and there is no window seat; however, the sheer curtains on the windows were tied back so the north meadow could be seen. Both the upper rooms are quite cozy, and I’m sure the girls will sleep fine.

"Lynan's Room"

         My room is dubbed the “Lynan’s Room” and has blue walls and a quilt with a background of blue. The bed is just lovely, quite unique with its tall pencil posts of a light wood color. The upper parts of the walls, just below the ceiling, appear papered in lace which adds a charm to the room which I can’t describe. When it was light, I could look from my window and see the front meadow and watch the sun setting.

         Now, Miss Smith, as I am quite tired and we will have a busy day before us, I think I will turn out my light and get some sleep. I’m looking forward to our breakfast here on the farm.

Pleasant dreams,

~Priscilla

Day 64 - North Carolina

Day 64

Dec. 14

Outer Banks, North Carolina

Dear Miss Smith,

            On December 14 I woke up with a feeling of great excitement and anticipation. Today would be the first day of our week in North Carolina. I jumped out of bed to go see if my sister Kristina was awake. I found her up and petting the dogs, Timber and Penelope, while she was talking with Priscilla about the exciting week that lay ahead for the three of us.

            We started our travels on the first day of our trip in North Carolina by taking the dogs out for a walk. They seemed to know that they were not coming with us to Shackleford Banks Island, and were trying to make the most of their morning walk. We were not taking them with us because we didn't want them scaring the wild horses, and I don't think they would be allowed on the island anyway.

            Then we went back to the RV for a delicious breakfast. We fed the dogs too. I wonder if they have been to more states than I have? I'll have to ask Priscilla later. After breakfast we took a ferry to Shackleford Banks Island to see the wild horses.

            We arrived after traveling three miles on the water. Then we started on our walk to see the horses. On the ferry ride we were told that these horses are actually called bankers ponies and that they are descendants of Spanish horses that had survived shipwrecks around that area. We asked one of the men on the ferry how long the horses have been on the island, and he said, “As long as anybody can remember.” You might be wondering how they found out that the horses are of Spanish descent if they have been there as long as anybody can remember. We found out later that they had done some genetic testing to discover the horses’ origin.

            We didn't have to walk far to see some horses. They were wading in a pond known as the Mullet Pond, which is one of their favorite places on the island. I should mention that it was a warm day for December. We kept a safe distance away from the horses as we had been told to, but we were still close enough to be able to see what they were doing, and to enjoy watching them. After we had watched them play in the pond for a little while, then we decided to continue our walk.

  

Our favorite horses

          Next we headed to Bottle Run Point on the inland side of Shackleford Banks Island. This was not difficult because we were near there already. We walked up the coast a ways and then arrived at Bottle Run Point. The island is 9 miles long and not very wide. Most of the island is beaches and grassland, but there is a small forest near the Mullet Pond. There is also some fresh water on the island for the horses to drink. My favorite horse was a palomino colored stallion with a flaxen mane and tail. Priscilla's favorite horse was a dark bay mare that was standing right next to it. Kristina's favorite horse was also the flaxen maned stallion.

Getting a drink

            The view from the point was beautiful. From there we could see Harkers Island in the distance. Harkers Island is halfway between Shackleford Banks Island and the mainland. After we had been enjoying the view for a little while, we saw a horse just a short distance further up the coast. It was a bay mare digging a hole in the sand. As we watched, we saw it put its muzzle in the hole. After staying like that for a little while, it lifted its head and walked away. We were wondering what this was all about; so after the horse walked away, we went over to check it out. We looked in the hole and saw some water in the bottom of it, and came to the conclusion that the horse must have been taking a drink. We found out later that the horses do this when they are thirsty and not near any fresh water on the island.

            By now we were starting to get hungry, so we decided to start heading back. We would have to take the ferry back to Beaufort, because the only way to get to and from the island is by boat. When we arrived back at the RV we decided to take the dogs for a quick walk before lunch. We had not eaten lunch on the island because any food you want has to be brought with you to the island; and when you leave you have to take your trash with you. We had a quick lunch and started driving to Cedar Island. Our plan was to drive across Cedar Island and when we arrived at the port on the other end, to take a ferry to Ocracoke Island.

            While we were on our way to Cedar Island I decided to try to teach Penelope (the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) a trick. It wasn't long before I ran out of treats, so I asked Priscilla if we had any more. She said there was some more in the cupboard above the stove. I opened the cupboard; but I never got around to getting the treats, for all of a sudden three hats fell in my face. Priscilla, who was driving at the time, glanced in my direction, and then quickly turned her head back to look at the road. I think she was trying not to laugh. However, my doggy treat adventure did not end there. No sooner did the hats fall on the floor, than the dogs grabbed two of them and ran in different directions. Kristina jumped up to help retrieve the hats before they were ruined. I know Priscilla would have helped too but since she was driving she had to keep her eyes on the road. I know that this was difficult. I decided to chase Timber; the dog that was going into the bedroom; and finally retrieved the hat, but not before I had chased Timber around the bed a few times. Kristina was able to save the other two hats and thankfully they didn't have any tooth marks in them. After that, Kristina put Penelope on her lap; and I put the hats back in the cupboard. It was then that I decided I didn't need the treats anymore.

            As we were driving over the bridge that connected Cedar Island to the mainland, we looked out the windows at the amazing view. After we had been driving across Cedar Island for a while, I decided to take a short nap.

            When we arrived at the docks we began to wonder if we were going to have trouble trying to get them to take the RV across on the ferry, so we looked for the largest one and went to try to have the passage arranged. We finally managed to get someone to ferry the RV across to Ocracoke Island. When they loaded the RV onto the ferry, I thought I saw the ferry sink a few inches. It must be all those hats in there. The ferry ride was very enjoyable, and after two and a half hours we arrived at Ocracoke Island.

           First we went to see the lighthouse. The Ocracoke lighthouse is 65 ft. tall and white. The whitewash recipe that they used to make the lighthouse white, calls for blending lime, salt, Spanish whiting, rice, glue, and boiling water, and to apply the mixture while it is still hot. We were told that this lighthouse is the second oldest lighthouse in the United States that is still in use; and that you can see its beam of light 14 miles out to sea. After this we went to look at the keepers quarters. It was a two-story white house not far from the lighthouse. We found out that the second-story was added to the house later so that an additional keeper and his family could live there, because the duties at the lighthouse had increased. The Coast-Guard operates it now so no keepers live there anymore. We also learned that the keepers and their families went fishing, hunted water-fowl, raised livestock and planted gardens in their spare time. And that the lighthouse service sent a traveling library every six months to light-stations along the coast.

Sunny Green

           After this we went to see the other historic spots in the town and went in and out of a few gift shops looking at their hats. That's when Priscilla bought her hat for North Carolina. It was a straw hat with a green ribbons and sunflowers on it. I'm not sure why they were trying to sell this during the winter, but she did get it for a great price. After Priscilla bought the hat, we got into the RV and drove up the outer banks of North Carolina to visit Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

  

Only there wasn't any snow when we were there.

         After we got there, we went to see the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. It was tall with black and white stripes spiraling upward, and we learned that it is the tallest lighthouse in North America, with 269 steps! This makes the stairs at home seem like nothing. During the summer months they have special night climbing tours weekly, and they also have a full moon climbing tour every month during the summer. Can you imagine climbing a lighthouse at night?

After that we walked along the beach for a little while enjoying the view. We didn't go swimming because it was too cold. Then we went to visit the Cape Hatteras visitors center. While we were there, we found out that it used to be the lighthouse keepers duplex. I thought this was very interesting.

Bodie Island Lighthouse

            After that we drove to Bodie Island Lighthouse. It was 156 feet tall, with black and white stripes. We were told that its first keeper was paid $400 a year! No wonder he's not there anymore. We were also told that it is actually the third Bodie Island Lighthouse. The first one started leaning because of bad construction plans and had to be abandoned. The second lighthouse was destroyed in 1861 by Confederate troops because they didn't want the Union troops using it. The first two Bodie lighthouses were actually on Pea Island.

            After this we were all getting very hungry, so we went to eat at a restaurant. The food was excellent. While we were there the waitress told us something about the Ocracoke Lighthouse that we had not heard earlier that day. She said that, unlike most lighthouses, the Ocracoke Lighthouse actually signals safety. We asked her how the mariners out at sea could tell the difference between a lighthouse signaling safety and one signaling danger. She said that each Lighthouse has a different paint pattern and light sequence so that mariners can tell it apart from other lighthouses even at night.

            After this we went back to the RV to sleep. It was then that I asked Priscilla how many States the dogs have been too. It turns out that I have actually been to more States than they have. I wonder how long that will last? We were ready for bed soon after we arrived back at the RV. After the lights were turned off I noticed something out the window. It was the beam of light from the lighthouse. I’m so glad all three of the lighthouses we visited are still running. And so ends the first day of our trip in North Carolina.

From,

Katelyn

Day 42 - Florida

Day 42

November 22

Perry, FL

Dearest Miss Smith,
    Here we are in Florida. This will be our last southward state for a while, as after this we are heading north. What a thing, to be heading north as winter comes along. Ah well, we would have to spend the winter somewhere and it might as well be up north where we can hopefully enjoy at least a few good snowstorms, whereas down in the south one may forget what season it really is.
    But I digress from our adventures. I must start with last night at the airport.
    Having watched the airplane carrying Susanna and Elizabeth leave the runway and disappear into the sky, Amy and I decided to go to a little cafe there at the airport for a light snack since Mikayla and Grace’s plane wasn’t scheduled to arrive for another hour. To have a conversation with only the two of us was rather a novelty since we have had so many traveling companions. Lest you get the wrong impression, Miss Smith, let me add that they have all been wonderful and we’ve been delighted to have them along. However, there we sat sipping our cups of hot chocolate and munching on delightful pastries while we chatted about everything: how the trip was going so far, what plans we had for upcoming states, what you might be doing at home, how Amy’s family was surviving without her and things of that sort. Suddenly I happened to glance at my watch and then sprang up exclaiming, “Oh, mercy me! Those poor girls!”
    At that, Amy, who had stared at me in astonishment, looked at her watch and said, “Their plane came in half an hour ago!”
    With that we rushed away. Arriving at the waiting area, we found the two girls talking with a man from security and looking rather worried. When they caught sight of us, they rushed over to us and we all talked at once until the security man came over and said, “I’m assuming you are not in need of my assistance anymore?”
    We assured him we did not and then hurried away to the RV.

    But that was last night. This morning we got up early; well, let me clarify, Amy, Grace and Mikayla got up early. I slept in.
    We arrived at the beaches of South Walton mid morning. Did you know that there are fifteen different “towns” in South Walton? We drove through every one of them, stopping here and there to shop, wander along the beach, eat or even get our bikes down and take a bike ride on some of the
paths. I’m not sure which place was my favorite, but we stopped in Blue Mountain,

  Grayton Beach,

 WaterSound

 and Alys.

 The weather was nothing like back home in late November. The water was glorious! We all went wading. I wore my Lady Diane hat along the beach and Grace told me all I needed was a long white dress with pink ribbons about it and I would look as though I had stepped from a history book.

    Oh, I must mention that when we were shopping, the first thing Grace bought was a purse.

Grace's purse

I’m not sure why she is obsessed with purses. Now if it were hats she was interested in I could understand, but purses? As for Mikayla, she bought some postcards to send back to her parents and brothers.
    One time we just had to stop was when we saw Charlie’s Donut Truck parked in Alys Beach. Oh those freshly made donuts just melted in our mouths! We talked about saving a few to send to you, but by the time we finished talking about it, we had eaten every one. Dreadfully sorry, Miss Smith, perhaps another time.

    Amy just reminded me to tell you of our bike ride. I know I mentioned that we took one, but I neglected to tell you about it.

We rode the Timpoochee Trail. It is an 18 mile long trail which was named after an Euchee Indian Chief who was very influential around here.

Don't you just love this Cafe name?

The path was perfect and everyone greatly enjoyed it.

Of course the dogs loved every bit of it since they got to be outside with us.

 Mikayla and Grace made it the 18 miles but weren’t up to riding back. Amy, wanting to give Timber a chance to really run, volunteered to ride back and pick up the RV. To this I agreed at once. The girls and I, along with Penelope, rested and shopped. Penelope was such a good dog, she stayed outside of the shops and watched our bicycles for us.

    We were planning to leave about mid afternoon, but it was late afternoon before we actually got on the road again heading for Forest Capital Museum State Park, which is near Perry, Miss Smith. Sometimes we could see The Gulf from the road.

We talked the entire way. The girls told us about home and mentioned how much they had enjoyed reading about the last two states on the blog. That was such a charming idea. I’m delighted to know that the others can learn about our marvelous adventures as they wait for us to arrive in their state.
    But now I must close, for it grows late, and so much being outdoors in the fresh air off the sea has made us all tired.

Good Night,

~Priscilla

Day 34 - Mississippi

Day 34

November 14

Columbus, MS

Dear Miss Smith,

  It was a two hour drive from the park to Columbus and by the time we got there we were all ready to get out of that RV! I don’t mind traveling much but there are times when I just have to get out and MOVE! 

             Have you ever gone shopping with ‘Cilla? I’m telling you, it can be very entertaining and fun.  The first shop we went in was the Three OaksPottery shop.  Talk about gorgeous pottery! Lydia got a beautiful vase for her mom and Natalie found a darling bowl that she’s going to put nick-nacks in.  The potter was a very nice man named Steve Garner. I’m told he learned the art at the Mississippi University for Women… though that fact does puzzle me. Why on earth did he go to the University for Women?

photo courtesy of: http://scientia1.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/salvemos-al-chocolate-pero-no-a-cualquier-precio/

      As we looked at the map of the area we decided to just walk as there were quite a few shops in that area that we wanted to see. So we parked the RV near the first shop on Main Street that we intended to visit and set out on foot. The dogs would have loved to go with us but none of us felt like staying outside at every store so Timber and Penelope were consigned to remain on guard at the RV.  Our first stop was LeGourmet Cheese. We wandered in there out of curiosity and were enthralled! If you’ve ever had gourmet cheese (which, knowing Priscilla, I’m sure you have), you’ll know what I mean! The shop had every kind of cheese you could imagine and, mixed with their delicious meats and bread, it made a superb sandwich for lunch. After our sandwiches we just had to sample their chocolates and Priscilla ended up buying a box for each of us of what ever we wanted! I chose mostly dark chocolates, of course. ;)

     Next stop was the Gumdrop Fabrics & Interiors. Take my advice, Miss Smith, and never enter a fabric store without money to spend. On this particular trip I did have some and so when I found a lovely piece of dark purple cotton I didn't hesitate to cut a length for Mom. So Mom, if you see this, be warned: you're going to have to pull out that sewing machine sometime in the near future!  I also happen to know that Natalie bought some material for her sister Shannon to use for baby clothes (she has two darling little girls). 

 Joy's Flower and Gift Shop was next so we crossed Main Street where the rest of our shopping would be.  Those flowers were so pretty! And there were quite a few pretty little gifts.  

 The next two shops are right beside each other, the first being Savvy Spaces, which includes a lot of little shops. I think my favorite was probably Fashion Accents. I found a darling green dress (which I'll probably wear as a tunic over jeans). I think, though, 'Cilla and both the girls preferred the Resident Chef shop.

 

 

The Purple Elephant was practically next door. I actually didn't get anything there but Priscilla added to her hat collection.  

Lady Diane Hat

 

  By this time we were getting kind of tired but there were two more stores that we wanted to go to so we strolled down to 5th street to Beard's Antiquities.  I love antique stores! I've now added a new tea cup and saucer to my growing collection.  And 'Cilla no longer needs to worry about having to use a penny for her hat. She found a lovely mother-of-pearl hatpin and decided instantly that that would be Mississippi's contribution to her tourist hat. 

   Holly Hocks Gift Shop was the last on our list. Lydia and Natalie each bought something for their families back home and we found some little snacky things. You might be amazed at how hungry a person can get after shopping all day. 

 We're back at the RV now, which we've stopped in a park outside the city. Priscilla and the girls are at the table going over their purchases from the day while I sit on the steps outside with Timber at my feet. I hear them calling me though so I should probably end this letter. 

Sincerely, 

~Amy~