Little Guy Teardrop Trailer Travels--Biltmore Estate Revisited

My afternoon started, with beautiful sunshine, at another Biltmore Estate attraction: Deerpark. I had mistakenly thought it was a "deer park" but actually two restaurants--and carrage rides (for a fee, of course). In a wooded area near the parking lot, I ate salad greens (purchased the day before at Earth Fare, and preserved in the ice chest). Then I drove to alternate attractions, the gardens and conservatory, and deliberately parked there for another walk to the Biltmore House.

I had a ticket (from Tuesday) allowing me to obtain the audio tour again (free of charge). I had my pedometer and wanted to retrace my route. Tuesday I had freedom of movement in the corridors; Wednesday was a single-file mass of visitors. The number of steps (on the pedometer) was 703 and I believe it isn't a true reflection of all the climbing and descending of stairs. Only .28 of a mile inside the house. I walked 1342 steps from the car!! Oh well, my curiosity was satisfied by the return... and I feel "I got my money's worth."

There was torrential rain in this area of North Carolina. At Biltmore Estate there were hundreds of wet visitors!! I was inside the house before the storm but spent two hours waiting for rain to stop so I could get back to my car. Two hours that I would have spend leisurely strolling the gardens and the conservatory!!

Hundreds gathered near the pastry and ice cream shops, and in the corridors near gift shops hoping the rain would stop. Some visitors paid $3.50 for a light-weight plastic pancho. Call me "cheapskate"; I had already spent enough money at Biltmore!! Can you see the water pouring off the roof?

It did not appear the rain would ever stop!! Finally, at 4:15, I took a shuttle to the Conservatory and Garden Shop. I browsed there until 4:55--when the sky cleared and I walked to my car.

Left the Estate at 5 (arrived at noon) and encountered "getting off work" traffic. At 5:45 I was at my next scheduled event: Laundromat (about 5 miles from camp). That took one-and-one-half hours and cost $3.50. Back at camp at 7:30. I had walked a little over 5500 steps so only two-and-one-half miles all day (and health experts say we should walk over 10,000 steps per day).

The campground hosts said "torrential rain"--and it was apparent from the mud and broken tree limbs.

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To follow my trip chronologically--to see the next blog--click Little Guy Teardrop Trailer Travels--Folk Art Center.
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Little Guy Teardrop Trailer Travels--Sunday Worship

On Sunday, August 2nd, we enjoyed a wonderful worship service, and music, under the "tabernacle" (AKA the pavilion). I'm so blessed by the messages of Tim Greene. Special music by the Freemans.

Because I did not have WiFi, I wrote in a loose-leaf notebook: "I'm blessed with a good memory (PTL!!) but want to write the events of the day while fresh in my mind.

It rained last night--but a gentle rain and did not enter the trailer (although a window was open about four inches). Up at 7:30; dressed in the trailer then headed for Tom Johnson Camping Center lobby. Oops! Closed!! Back at my site, I hitched the car and trailer and pulled it from the tall, soaking-wet grass to paved parking area. I "dumped" my "Little John."

It was misting rain so I went to the pavilion about 8:30 (two hours before the worship service). I watched the exodus of magnificent motorhomes--all pulling a nice car. In fact, one RV was pulling a car that was pulling a flat bed trailer with a golf cart. At the rate the RVs were leaving, I wondered if we'd have many people at the worship. I would estimate 200 and that was a good attendance. Music by the Freemans was lively and everyone was toe-tapping. Tim Greene delivered another inspiring message.

I pulled out of Tom Johnson's without my new daily dose of free WiFi. I'm handwriting the info for later entry into the blog. Turned left on US 70 headed toward Asheville. I wasn't sure of my destination. I would have headed for the Blue Ridge Parkway but rain during the worship service and cloudy at noon."

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To follow my trip chronologically--to see the next blog--click Little Guy Teardrop Trailer Travels--Blue Ridge Parkway.
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Little Guy Teardrop Trailer Travels--Blue Ridge Parkway

It was overcast with occasional sun when I left Tom Johnson Camping Center at 12:45 PM Sunday, 8/02/09. Preferring "the road less traveled" I took US 70 west (and not Interstate 40). I would have driven the Blue Ridge Parkway but suspected limited visibility. I encountered rain at 1:25, at the town of Black Mountain, followed by sunshine only five miles down the road.

I entered the Blue Ridge Parkway (near Asheville) at 2:12, in glorious sunshine!! I spent over an hour in the magnificent new Visitors Center where I watched a good movie (re: BRP) and I read the information with the many displays. I wrote in my loose-leaf notebook: "It seemed only natural to continue on the Parkway toward the South entrance. I was in no hurry!!" ~~ The following two pictures were taken within half a mile of one another. One looking North and the other looking South. Approximately milepost 431.











This is the highest elevation on the Blue Ridge Parkway--at 5:45 PM.










The Southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway at 7:00 PM, Sunday August 2nd. I exited the Northern end of the Skyline Drive (in Virginia) the evening of July 13th, 2009. I've traversed almost the entire route both directions.










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To follow my trip chronologically-to see the next blog--click Little Guy Teardrop Trailer Travels--Cherokee, NC.
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Little Guy Teardrop Trailer Travels--Cherokee, NC

"From the Blue Ridge Parkway, at 7:00 PM (120 miles from Marion where I had camped all week), I drove to nearby Cherokee, NC. I've heard a lot about... and saw a TV program on Public Broadcasting. With some difficulty, I finally found Harrah's Casino and parked in their massive parking lot.

"I caught a free shuttle bus from the parking lot to the Casino--just to say 'I've been there.' It was so stinky from cigarettes and cigars it made me sick!! ~~ Recession?? Almost every stool was occupied by people playing the machines. There were lines of hungry visitors at the several restaurants. The prices were exorbitant (IMHO). Example: Soup of the day was $6.99, and everything goes up from there!! $2.50 for a small popcorn at the Snack Bar. No, I did not spend any money!! In less than an hour I was back at the car writing this blog. I'm spending the night in this lot. (To my knowledge, no Walmart in Cherokee.)

'It was 60 degrees in Little Guy, when I awaken at 7:01. I was encouraged to see the parking lot [of the Casino] with less than fifty cars. One RV."

Quite frankly, I won't copy the information that I wrote that morning, in the loose-leaf notebook. I made so many blunders, and clocked up wasted time and mileage.

I will add this: "On Interstate 40 and it feels weird to drive 60."

"Arrived in Asheville city limits at 10:40 AM. ~~ 72 degrees according to the thermometer at a local business."

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To follow my trip chronologically-to see the next blog--click Greetings from Asheville, NC.
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Greetings from Asheville, NC

This missile comes to you from Asheville, North Carolina--from my favorite WiFi location: P-A-N-E-R-A-!! I love their whole grain bagel, and hazelnut coffee!! ~~ I have been without WiFi for two days and a lot has happened; I can't published all the details at this time. When I return to Shelby, I'll document the information and upload the pictures (forgot the cable--again--so unable to post them now).

For those of you following my travels on the Blue Ridge Parkway... I'm delighted to tell you that I finished the last lap on Sunday. Now I've been from Front Royal, VA, (Skyline Drive) at the North end to Cherokee, NC, at the South end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I highly recommend the trip if you don't mind driving 25 miles per hour. I could have continued into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park but will save that for another trip.

When I checked my e-mail messages, I learned I am featured in Teardrop Tribune--and told I'll probably have a lot of visitors to my "blog." W-E-L-C-O-M-E-!! I hope you enjoy my travels. Send me an e-mail and/or add a comment to my blog.

Last week I was in Marion, NC, for a Southern Gospel Singing. The weather was not very pleasant. The weatherman says this week will be beautiful so I decided this is my week to visit the sites in Asheville, NC. I plan to spend two days touring the Biltmore Estate. I want to visit the Quilt Show at the Arboretum. I'm camped (within hiking distance of the Arboretum) at Lake Powhatan.

It's a perfect morning and I don't want to spend it indoors. FYI: It was 61 degrees at 7:00 this morning, inside Little Guy. It was 57 degrees at 8:00 when I left camp. Before I close, I have to tell you a couple of facts: 1) Lake Powhatan charges $10.00 per day for those of us with Golden Age Pass. Elsewhere here in Asheville, I pulled into an RV Park and they want $38.00 for full hookup--and no exceptions. I protested that I don't use utilities, I just want to be near a restroom. "No exceptions!!" 2) Lake Powhatan has very nice restrooms, with shower, for (as I said) $10.00.

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To follow my trip chronologically--to see the next blog--click Little Guy Teardrop Trailer Travels--Biltmore Estate.
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Little Guy Teardrop Trailer Travels--Chatterbox

Chatterbox--that's me!! It is so easy for me to carry on a conversation with people if they ask me a question, or comment on Little Guy. In the Ladies Room, early morning, several campers asked me about the teardrop trailer. I never tire of telling about my travels, and how much I enjoy my small but efficient "home away from home."

On-the-other-hand, some people have all the luxuries of home!! When I finally got to the parking lot near the lobby of Tom Johnson Camping Center (about 10:00) an enormous Holiday Rambler was ready to depart. I recognized the unit..., I recognized Jerry and Betty..., and rushed to request a picture. The Blue Ox--with their bikes--looked perfect and I'm so glad "Blue" has a new home and folks who appreciate it and will use it. (Click here to read my earlier blog re: Blue Ox.)

(10:35 AM) More later?! It is an awesome, gorgeous, fantastically beautiful day!! I am not going to sit around the lobby (using free WiFi) when I can explore the area.

(5:15 PM) I went to Marion--with nothing particular in mind. The Main Street had been turned into a large "Yard Sale." Unfortunately, by the time I got there most vendors were packing up!! But I walked the street and looked at the remaining items. I bought three beautiful, large tomatoes for one dollar, and three ears of corn for one dollar. ~~ En route back to camp I stopped at a market for ice--and a small package of mixed salad greens. ~~ In camp I enjoyed my salad, and tomato, alternately with conversation when curious campers came to see Little Guy. News flash!! It was 109 degrees in the trailer when I returned... and opened it up!! And one window had been open so imagine how hot if absolutely no outside air!! ~~ Later I drove up to the lobby so I could continue this blog--and take a shower. Well, more conversation (this time about holistic health and nutritional supplements). It was almost five when I started taking a shower in the beautiful facility. I was interrupted by an employee saying the building was being secured and I needed to remove my computer. So I learned the lobby is not always open and available for campers. I'm typing this with the computer on the counter in the beautiful Ladies Room. No problem because there IS an outside entrance for the campers.

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To follow my trip chronologically--to see the next blog--click Little Guy Teardrop Trailer Travels--Gospel Singing #5.
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Little Guy Teardrop Trailer Travels--Gospel Singing #5

Tonight we will be blessed with music by Dove Brothers, Charles Johnson & The Revivers, Heirline, and The Greenes.

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To follow my trip chronologically--to see the next blog--click Little Guy Teardrop Trailer Travels--R-pod.
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