Day 69 - North Carolina

Day 69

Dec. 19

Chimney Rock, NC

Dear Miss Smith
    Today we drove to Chimney Rock State Park to spend the day. After we arrived, we picked up a trail map and decided to start on the Four Seasons Trail. We packed a picnic lunch, and got the dogs ready to accompany us on our hike. Then we started on the trail.

    Priscilla was wearing her new Sunny-Green Hat, and walking Penelope. Katelyn was walking Timber, and I was carrying the picnic basket. One time when we stopped to rest because the trail was quiet steep, we saw some deer, but Timber and Penelope started barking and scarred them away. When we were about two-thirds of the way through the Four Seasons Trail, we saw some large rock formations, and stopped to take a picture and enjoy the scenery. Then we continued our hike.     Eventually the Four Seasons Trail joined up with the Hickory Nut Falls Trail, so we started hiking on that trail. While we were hiking down the trail we saw three different types of wood peckers, and we even saw a purple finch. Priscilla stopped to take a quick picture of it before it flew away. After we had been hiking for a while we came to a footbridge. We knew from looking at our trail map that Hickory Nut Falls was not far away. We crossed the bridge, and after walking a short distance we came to Hickory Nut Falls. It was 404 feet tall! It is one of the highest waterfalls in North Carolina. We were able to get close enough to the waterfall to feel its mist. It was quiet a sight. There was a picnic area close by, so we decided to stop and eat lunch.

    We set the picnic basket down on the picnic table, and pulled out the sandwiches we had made earlier that day, and started eating. From where we were eating, we could hear the roar of the waterfall, and see it cascading down the cliff. After we finished eating we walked back down the trail. Priscilla saw a Golden Crowned Kinglet and stopped to take a picture. She also had taken some pictures of the waterfall. This hike has sure been well photographed. After a while we came back to the spot where the Four Seasons Trail meets up with the Hickory Nut Falls Trail. We decided to continue on the Hickory Nut Falls Trail. Eventually we turned off the trail and headed up several flights of stairs to get to the Outcroppings Trail. Once we got to the Outcroppings Trail we headed to Vista Rock. When we got there, we took a short rest and enjoyed the view. Then we hiked over to Pulpit Rock to see the view from there. Timber and Penelope really seemed to be enjoying the hike so far, and they still seemed to have plenty of energy left, so we headed up to Chimney Rock. We climbed the 44 steps from the trail to the top of the Chimney Rock and as we were climbing, I noticed that the wind was starting to pick up.

    When we got to the top we saw an American flag waving in the wind. From the top of Chimney Rock we could see 75 miles away, and in the distance we could see Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village. We were at an elevation of 2,280 feet. The view was breathtaking! Priscilla took several pictures. It was about then that a sudden strong gust of wind blew Priscilla's hat right off her head, and hurled it somewhere down below. She was taking a picture at the time it blew off, and I wonder if you can see her hat flying away in it? We watched the hat until it was out of sight, but there was nothing we could do about it, so we continued our hike. We were hoping we would find it when we hiked back to the RV. The Outcroppings Trail has over 500 stairs and we were starting to get tired, so we decided to stop at the Sky Lounge and take a look at their gift shop. While we were there, Priscilla bought a black bear key chain for her Fifty-State-Hat.

    Then we headed out on the Skyline Trail. Our first stop was the Opera Box. At this point the trail was covered by a rock overhang. From here we could see Hickory Nut Gorge, and Lake Lure. The view was great. After that we hiked to Exclamation Point, the highest point of the park. It was at an elevation of 2,480 feet, which is 200 feet higher than Chimney Rock. From here we could see the entrance of the park way down in the valley below. After taking in the view and resting, we started heading back. It was so nice to finally be going downhill again.

    After a while we arrived back at the Sky Lounge. There was a 26-story elevator here that we would have liked to take down, but they don't allow pets on the elevator, so we had to hike back down the stairs. The stairs didn't seem any shorter the second time. When we got to the base of the stairs, we decided to take turns going up and down the elevator, to experience the fun of going 26 story’s in only 30 seconds. Katelyn and Priscilla went up first, while I stayed with the dogs. After they went up in the elevator, and I had been standing there for a little while, the elevator door opened and a lady stepped out. When she saw me her face grew puzzled, and she asked me how I had managed it. I thought that she must be talking about me handling two dogs at once. I told her that they were usually well behaved dogs and that I could easily handle both of them. Her face grew even more puzzled than before. She looked down at the dogs, then she looked back up at me. She asked me how I had gotten down before her, because she hadn't seen me in the elevator, and I didn't look like I had just run down the stairs. It was my turn to look confused. I was trying to figure out what she was talking about. Then I realized what had happened. She must have seen Katelyn and Priscilla up by the Sky Lounge and then taken the elevator down. When she saw me she must have thought that I was Katelyn and that I had somehow gotten down before she had. When this occurred to me, I had to try hard not to laugh. When I explained to her that I was an identical twin she started to laugh, and I could not help joining in. After that she asked me what the dogs names were, and what kind of dogs they were. I told her, and then she leaned down and patted them on the head. After we talked a little more, she said she hoped that we would have a great afternoon, and then she left. It wasn't long before Priscilla and Katelyn came back down the elevator. Then it was my turn to go up. Priscilla said she would stay with the dogs, so Katelyn went up with me. After we came back down, I told Priscilla and Katelyn about the lady's mix up, and they found it very humorous. Then we started heading back to the RV.

   While we were heading back we kept a lookout for Priscilla's hat, but we didn't see it anywhere. Then all of a sudden while we were walking back through the Four Seasons Trail, a deer ran across the path right in front of us! The dogs lunged forward, and Timber managed to pull his leash right out of Katelyn's hand! He started to chase the deer, but Katelyn called him and he came back over to us. Katelyn quickly grabbed his leash again. When Katelyn called Timber, I noticed two people who were walking a little further down the trail, suddenly jump and look around nervously at the trees. Then they looked at us, and we explained to them that one of the dogs name's was Timber, and that they didn't have to worry about any trees falling on them. They looked relieved, and we continued on our way. We made sure to keep a tight hold of the dog's leashes after that.

    When we got back to the RV we could hardly believe our eyes. There was Priscilla's hat hanging on the rear view mirror! After retrieving the hat, we got into the RV. There was just enough time before supper for Priscilla to show us her hat collection. Katelyn and I liked her Miami Hat the best. After Priscilla showed us her hat collection, we all had supper and are now heading to bed to rest up for our big day at Biltmore Estates.

From,

Kristina

Day 63 - South Carolina

Day 63

December 13

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

My Dear Miss Smith,
    It has been a few days since I last wrote you though the girls assured me that they have faithfully kept you updated on our travels. It is truly wonderful that I have others to help with all my correspondence, for if I had to keep it all up myself, I would either not get to see much, spend most of my nights writing, or you wouldn’t hear anything! I do hope things have been going well at home. Be sure and tell Amy when you see her next that Timber is getting along just fine and Penelope and I would feel alone if we had to part with him.

    This morning the girls and I took the dogs for a last romp on the beach outside our cottage before we left. Timber has no fear of the ocean waves even in this chilly weather and seemed to enjoy himself tremendously.

We were all a little sad to leave that lovely little cottage by the sea and return to life in the RV, much as the RV feels like home. Getting out of Charleston wasn’t too hard since we waited until the morning rush of traffic had dissipated.

    The drive to Conway, South Carolina was only a few hours and we passed the time with talk of all the places we had been and what Abigail and Susanna were going to do when they arrived back home, since this is their last day. I am just thankful that when I take the girls to the airport, I can pick up the next travelers and don’t have to spend the night alone in the RV. I know, Miss Smith, when I was following the Marshmallow Thief I traveled all over with only Piccadilly for a companion, but this trip is different. It was meant to be shared. But I must get on with our day or I will never get to bed!

    Arriving at the L.W. Paul Living History Farm, we met several members of the farm and began our experience on a “one horse family farm.” This farm was begun by Larry Paul who offered to fund its construction. The goal was to create what a family farm would be like between 1900-1955. I must say it was quite interesting.

We got to help make butter and grind grits and visited the smokehouse to bring some hams to the house for cooking.

They have a darling little wood stove in the kitchen that they cook on.

And you should have seen the front room, Miss Smith; you would have fallen in love with it.


    Abigail and Susanna tried their hand at spinning and did a remarkable job!

I had the job of washing some clothes. Dear me, what a job washing days must have been back then.

They have some darling little speckled hens and of course the other animals you’d expect to find, such as a cow named “Daisy.” Why is it that most cows seem to bear that same name?



    Well, we couldn’t stay too long, as they were starting preparations for tomorrow’s Christmas at the Farm Day. It would have been fun to stay, but we must keep going. Since there were still several hours left in the day, we decided right then to head over to Myrtle Beach State Park.

    Oh, the delight of the beach again! We have gotten so used to hearing the sounds of the waves as we drift to sleep, that we unanimously voted to spend the night right here, since they have hookups for RVs, instead of trying to find a place down the road. The dogs were delighted to be out and we had a campfire this evening. We roasted marshmallows and ate s’mores while I told the girls about my experiences with that elusive yet sticky marshmallow thief.

    Now it is quite late. I let Abigail drive the RV from Conway to Myrtle Beach today. She did a good job, and I was delighted to be relieved from driving. That’s another reason I miss Amy. The girls are in bed and as I don’t hear anymore whispering, I imagine they are asleep, so I should join them.
    Good night, Miss Smith.

Sweet dreams,

~Priscilla

Day 59 - South Carolina

Day 59

Dec. 9

St. George, South Carolina

Dear Miss Smith,
    This morning we got up and quickly ate breakfast. We were eager to be on our way and finish our drive to Redcliffe! The Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site is near Beech Island. It wasn't too long of a drive until we arrived.

    The Redcliffe Plantation was finished in 1859 and was once the home of James Henry Hammond and three generations of his descendants. The mansion is a tall house, but it didn't look quite like what I think of when I think of a Plantation house. I guess it's more box shape than spread out. I'm not sure quite how to describe it, but it was pretty in it's own way: white with dark green trim.

    We decided we wanted to take the tour of the mansion, so looked around a bit while we were waiting for the next tour to start. The wide open front porch had a really cool view. It would be a really relaxing place to sit and unwind! Especially in the spring or summer!  It was kinda breezy and cool today so we didn't spend too much time out there.

    The tour of the house lasted around two hours. Plantation houses are so cool! Especially all the wood floors! The square grand piano in the parlor looked so tempting to play.:)

    After the tour, we headed outside to check out the slave quarters and the magnolia lane. Redcliffe Plantation has one of the few surviving 19th century slave quarters in the state. The magnolia trees were larger than I expected! It must be so pretty in the spring when they're blooming!

    We're now on our way to Charleston and spending the night at, you guessed it, another RV park ;) Not that I mind, it's been fun spending evenings with Priscilla and Susanna!

-Abigail

Day 49 - Florida

Day 49

November 29

White Springs, FL

Dear Miss Smith,
          Today we spent a whole day at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park near the Suwannee River. We almost got lost trying to find our way there, we all tried to find where we were to go but soon we had to admit that we were lost, I will tell you this though, we really enjoyed trying to find our way there.

Suwannee River

 Anyway,  we did arrive and we rented some bikes and took the dogs with us down the trial. The trail is not more 70 miles, but as you can guess, we did not go all the way there and back. We enjoyed the splendor of it all, the trees full of chattering squirrels, and the birds calling to one another.   It actually wasn’t that cold and it wasn’t that hot, with a gentle breeze brushing our faces.


 We decided to go the Stephen C. Foster Museum hisorical place and see the desk where Stephen C. Foster finished writing the song, "Old Folks at Home." He actually never saw the Suwannee River, but he needed a two-syllable word, so a friend told him to use the Suwannee River.

Bell Tower

            We then listened to a concert of bells playing some of Stephen Foster's songs. It was actually quite lovely. 

            Also we went to a gift shop with one-of-a-kind things inside, like baskets, purses, children’s toys, jewelry, Leather works, and a few blacksmith stuff. Grace exclaimed that the purses were exquisite, Amy admired the artwork of the many workers, and I ought a beautiful woodwork with wolves. Personally, I like wolves, so it fit me. Grace bought a pink purse with a gold chain. Priscilla decided that she didn’t need any more hats so she didn’t buy anymore. I couldn’t believe that some many things were handmade, though, many of the workers there were experienced and stuff, so I guess, they could make such lovely things.

We are heading for home now, We have said goodbye to Amy and Priscilla, and they promised Grace that they would ship her six purses to her. The things I bought weren’t many so I just packed them into my bag. I can’t wait till I am home again!

Sincerely yours,

Mikayla

Day 43 - Florida

Day 43

November, 23

Dear Miss Smith,
       I just wanted you to know what we have been doing. As Priscilla said in her last letter, they did forget about us for the time being. Mikayla and I were very worried but were so relived when we saw them coming.
      This morning we were at the Forest Capital Museum. There was so much to see.


    The museum is a structure made from Cypress and Pine wood with high beamed ceilings that are topped with a glass dome. I know I wouldn't want to be under that when it is storming outside for fear it could break.
     We saw the old Smokehouse and the Cracker House from the 1970's.

 Amy and Priscilla spent time looking around while Mikayla and I read the signs about each site. Mikayla and I loved the map that was carved with each out the counties on it. I think Priscilla was intrigued by the map and hope there was a picture of it.
    We also visited the gift shop where I found another purse. This time it had the Forest Capital Museum logo on it. I also found a pin for Priscilla's collection. Mikayla found some postcards to buy.

    After the museum, we headed to the Bok Tower Gardens. On the way we listened to Gilbert and Sullivan's "H.M.S. Pinafore". Amy didn't seem to enjoy it as much as Mikayla and I did.

    When we reached the Bok Tower Gardens we listened to a Carillon Bell concert. That was so much fun. I really enjoyed it. Everyone else loved it too.

    It is almost Thanksgiving. This time in the gift shop I found some postcards. I will send a couple home to my family for Thanksgiving. Priscilla found a cute, small bag and bought it for me. I will use it to hold my sock knitting project I brought along with me.
    Miss Smith, we did have a very enjoyable day but I am tired so I will end this now.

With Love,

Grace Mae

Day 33 - Mississippi

 Day 33

Nov. 13

Clarkco, MS

My Dear Miss Smith,
    I realize that I wrote a letter to you last night, but Amy said that if I would write you this evening, she would write you tomorrow.

    It has been a lovely day. We got on the road early in spite of the lateness of the preceding night. Our first stop of the day was in Biloxi to see the last home of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America. The house was shrouded in a light fog when we arrived, but that quickly burned off when the sun came up a little more. We all loved the outside of the house with its pillars and high veranda. Inside was just as lovely. The house is called “Beauvoir” which is French for beautiful view because the third owner of this house loved the view of the Mississippi Sound from the front porch. I had wondered why it had that name.

    There is a statue of Jefferson Davis with his son Joseph and another boy, Jim Limber behind the house. I believe it was dedicated in 2010.

    After spending much time wandering around the gift shop, we purchased a few things and then went on our way. Each of us now has a penny with Jefferson Davis’ head on it instead of Lincoln’s. I’m contemplating the idea of attaching a pin to the back of mine and adding it to my 50-States hat. I have not decided for sure, however.


    Heading on, our next stop was just north of Lucedale. There we visited the Palestine Gardens.

Oh, Miss Smith, everyone of us enjoyed this stop immensely. The gardens are a miniature replica of the Holy Land. It is a one yard/one mile scale and we were able to see the Dead Sea, Bethlehem and Jerusalem and took a journey to Ceasarea Philippi.
Getting to see what everything looked like, the hills, the streets, the walls around the cities, all made the Bible much more real. There has been a lot of hard work put into this garden and it was well worth our visit. I’m sure we could have remained there much longer, but we had to continue our trip.

    It was several hours later before we reached Clarkco State Park where we had decided to spend the night. It is near Quitman, if you would like to find it on your map. Oh, it is a lovely place. Quiet and peaceful after the noise of the cities. There is a lake and our RV is parked under tall trees.

It wasn’t quite dark when we arrived and everyone was glad to get out of the RV. The dogs were no exception. We have been so busy in cities that this place is a delightful retreat.

    We all agreed to build a fire and roast hot dogs for supper with s’mores afterwards for dessert. It was chilly, so warm jackets were welcome. Penelope couldn’t decide if she wanted to lie down beside Lydia and Natalie or over near me. There was no indecision with Timber; he was overjoyed to be outside with Amy once more.
    Now I have retired to the RV to write as the light of the dying campfire is not bright enough to see. It was with a great deal of giggling and excitement that Amy, Natalie and Lydia came in to get warmer jackets and for Amy to get one of our lanterns. They said they were going to go for a walk with the dogs. I have no fear for them since Timber went along, and I imagine it will be a while before they come back for the novelty of such a walk in the dark with only the light of a lantern will no doubt keep them energized for some time.

    Now, Miss Smith, how are things back home? Is Bekah helping you at all? Are the dogs doing all right without me? I do hope Patches and Perky are staying out of trouble. You haven’t re-organized all my books again, have you? I know I will be gone for a year, but how I will ever find my books on my return remains to be seen. Amy tells me that Bekah had told her that for each state we visit, you post the map of it on the bulletin board and put a colored pin in each place we visit. That is a charming idea and I wish I had a place to do that here. I will just keep my notebooks going, however. I have a feeling they will be full long before we complete our trip. If that is so, I will simply mail them to you to be filed until my return and create new ones.
    But I am growing sleepy. The girls and dogs have not returned yet, but I am going to retire. I’m sure I will hear all about their adventures in the morning. Sleep well, Miss Smith.

With love,

~Priscilla

Day 28 - Louisiana

Day 28

Nov. 8
Natchitoches, Louisiana

Dear Miss Smith,

Well, we’re finished in Louisiana. This week has been great! We'll be switching Grace and Mikayla for Natalie and Lydia tomorrow. We'll miss our LA girls but it'll be fun having the other two with us again.

Today we got up early and set off for Hodges’ Gardens.

It was beautiful! That’s all I can say! It's amazing what people can do with a barren, ruined land! Back in the 1800's the Gardens and thousands of acres of land around it was cleared of all of the trees. Then the Hodges bought 107,000 acres (the actual park was built on 4700 acres in the '50s) and began the process of rebuilding the beauty.

I wish we could have stayed longer but we had a several-hour drive to our next spot so had to hit the road after only and hour or so of wandering about the area.

Our next stop was Lasyone's Meat Restaurant but we had a long drive to get there. I gave up my front seat to Grace (who switched with Mikayla half-way along) and curled up in the back for a nap. I'm not sure why I was so tired but I was. So if you want to know what happened then you'll have to ask one of the other girls. I didn't wake up till we were just a little way away to Natchitoches and from what I've seen, that's when the trip got exciting.

Don't ask me how she managed it but 'Cilla got us LOST! The town isn't even very big! But after a little while of driving around we realized that she didn’t know where we were! Thankfully it wasn’t hard to find someone to give us directions and get us back on the right track. So we finally reached the Lasyone’s Restaurant.

I think that would have to be one of the cutest restaurants I’ve ever seen! 

We had an early supper there. Being in a meat pie restaurant, I didn’t feel right not getting the famous Lasyone’s meat pie so I got the Lasyone’s Famous Meat Pie Platter. 

Along with the meat pie there was salad and creamed potatoes. Grace got the Crawfish Pie platter. She says it was good but I’m not sure I could’ve gotten past the fact that I was eating CRAWFISH! Priscilla was feeling in a “steak mood” as she termed it (can you imagine that? ‘Cilla wanted STEAK!) so she got the Steakburger. I must admit it looked very good. Mikayla got the Homestyle Club. Club sandwiches are delicious, as I’m sure you well know. 

For dessert we tried the Cane River Cream Pie. That pie alone made the trip worth it! It was sooooo good!

After supper we found a good place to park the RV for the night before taking the dogs on a walk around town. This time we did not get lost but arrived safely back at the RV by dark. Right now the other girls are curled up on ‘Cilla’s bed laughing over some of the pictures we got on our walk. Priscilla says to tell you she will send them to you when we have internet so be prepared. Some of them are quite outrageous!

Sincerely,

~Amy