Little Guy Teardrop Tribune--"Thanks"

The weather forecast for Shelby: 95 degrees for this Sunday afternoon!! That's a shock to the body when I've spent thirteen days in the mountains near the Blue Ridge Parkway. Frequently I was wearing a sweater. Much as I hated to, I had to turn on the air conditioning in my apartment. Much to be done: unload, clean, drive to the self-service car wash.... I've returned "blue ice" containers to the freezer; I've filled 16 ounce bottles with filtered water and put in the freezer. I'm so reluctant to stop "sight seeing" but haven't a clue about where to travel next.

When I stepped on the scales this morning, I was delighted to see that I have lost two pounds. That was a direct result of the exercise I got during the trip--more walking than usual. Furthermore, I ate less because I did not feel hungry. At home, I know that I eat "by the clock" and I eat because I am bored and lonely. It was good to drink green tea this morning after several days drinking coffee at Panera.

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

I want to say "thank you" to all the visitors who followed the link in the Teardrop Tribune. I'm glad you took a few minutes to read about my travels. Perhaps you are encouraged to purchase a Little Guy and visit sites near your home. I'd love to hear from you.

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #


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

Little Guy Teardrop Trailer Travels--Folk Art Center

Indubitably, I was hopelessly lost in--and around--Asheville!! I was overly confident when I left Lake Powhatan camp-grounds, thinking I knew the way to Panera by heart. There is a spiderweb of highways, and Interstates, through Asheville and I have no sense of direction whether I want to go East or West (which may actually be North or South with a compass).

Looking for an exit where I could turn around, I discovered I was near the Folk Art Center (on the Blue Ridge Parkway, milepost 382). Good!! I wanted to visit it!! I arrived at 8:15 and had to wait until 9:00 to enter and view the exhibits. Beautiful--but could not afford any of the crafts for sale in the Craft Shop. Read about Craft Revival.

A left turn (over the Interstate) at exit 55 takes you to the Folk Art Center. A right turn at exit 55, Interstate 40, takes you to Billy Graham's Training Center, "The Cove." This reminds me of a story I heard last week at the Southern Gospel Singing. A man visited all the historic old Missions in California. In every one he saw a beautiful gold phone and the sign: "Telephone to God. $5,000.00; credit card only." As he traveled across the United States, he visited many interesting churches. In every one, the same sign: "Telephone to God. $5,000.00; credit card only." Eventually he arrived in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. In a rustic old church he saw a simple black phone and the sign: "Telephone to God, 50 cents." Amazed, he asked why only 50 cents. The reply: "Because it's a local call!!"

~~~~~~~~~~

1:30 PM and I'm back after one-and-one-half hours delay. At 12 noon I was automatically disconnected from Panera's WiFi because "peek time" for customers. Apparently they don't want people monopolizing the tables.

Doing a little arithmetic: I could have continued down the Blue Ridge Parkway for about seven miles and exited near Panera. Unfortunately I forgot to jot down mileage at Folk Art Center but maybe 15 miles around--and through downtown--Asheville!! Furthermore, it cost me a precious hour of time on the Internet!! Actually, I would have been at Panera at 8 if things went as planned (from camp).

~~~~~~~~~~

I was up at 6:45 this morning. It was 64 degrees inside Little Guy, 61 degrees outside. It had dropped to 60 degrees when I left camp at 7:45. It's a beautiful sunny day and no hint of rain. Perhaps my lawn chair and cushion will dry out today?!?!

For lunch, I enjoyed Panera's delicious Black Bean soup (vegan) and whole grain baguette. It's 2 o'clock at this moment and I've been able to enter data from the narrative that I wrote long-hand while waiting to use WiFi again.

~~~~~~~~~~

Tomorrow: the Quilt Show at the Arboretum (within walking distance of camp so I may not come to Panera tomorrow).

~~~~~~~~~~
To follow my trip chronologically--to see the next blog--click Little Guy Teardrop Trailer Travels--Quilt Show.
~~~~~~~~~~

Weekend at Grandfather Mountain

12 noon Monday, 6/29/09, and Little Guy is unhitched from the KIA, at the apart-ment complex. "Little John" has been emptied and ready for another trip. Soiled clothing is in the hamper; trash is in the dumpster. With the exception of some laundry, we are ready for another trip.

Be it ever so humble---and cluttered---there's no place like home. I agree---and I disagree!! I sleep much better in my bed, in my apartment!! The mattress is comfortable in Little Guy but, each night, I always hear unique sounds and have unusual neighbors. Wherever I travel, I make new friends with fellow campers. ~~ It was so beautiful "on the mountain," I hated to leave. ~~

I was en route to Grandfather Mountain at 10 o'clock Friday morning, 6/26/09. It was a beautiful eighty mile drive. My only lament: I forgot my food!! When I walked out of the apartment, my arms were full. I set down the cooler full of salad, apples, bananas, and water, when I locked the door. I did all my last-minute check of lights, turn signals, etc.--and drove away. One-and-one-half hours later I suddenly realized my blunder!! I decided it was not worthwhile to retrace my route to retrieve my food. ~~ I parked the trailer on a free camp site across the highway from the meadow where the "singing" would take place. Then six miles into the tiny Grandfather Village for a few groceries. (A small prepackaged salad cost me almost $5.; by comparison my homemade salad was worth $15.!!)

Each day, I walked the meadow, and the campgrounds, and visited with fellow travelers. Good exercise; entertaining conversation!!

Saturday morning, 6/27/09, 8:51, I paid $13. admission and drove slowly up a narrow winding highway, around hairpin curves, to the Visitor's Center. I spent hours viewing the displays and watching two excellent films. I visited the large variety of animals in their natural environment. Later I traversed the remainder of the route to the top of Grandfather Mountain. The view is spectacular!! However, I remained on the parking lot side, I did not walk across the swinging bridge!!

After hours on Grandfather Mountain, I turned left when I exited the Park and slowly drove 23 miles, on highway 221, to the quaint community of Blowing Rock. Then 32 miles via highway 221/321 to Boone, and highway 105 for the return to Grandfather Village. Fifty-five miles total and a beautiful drive!! Back to my campsite at 5 PM. The evening spent near a fire circle with new acquaintances. My RVing neighbors had been coming to "Singing on the Mountain" for many years!! Campers were sharing information with one another since they had seen one another in 2008.

Sunday morning, 6/28/09, about 7:30, I positioned my folding chair at a good location on the meadow. Again, Praise the Lord, I met a new friend!! Throughout the day, a wonderful variety of gospel musicians and beautiful music!! Part of the morning I was bundled in a small blanket, wearing a sweatshirt and jeans because the wind was chilling. I don't know the temperature but mention this because later (5:00 PM) it was about 90 degrees, and very humid, when I stopped for a Subway sandwich in Morganton (off the mountain). FYI: I didn't shed my sweatshirt until late afternoon when I hitched the KIA and Little Guy for the return trip to Shelby (via highway 181 and 18). Home at 6:50 PM; total trip miles: 223. Three days: No computer, no television, no radio, no CD music; precious time for communion with my Lord. On the mountain, I felt so close to heaven!! I descended from the meadow elevation of 4300 to 869 in Shelby.

Prime Outlets Mall, Gaffney, SC

Again this Sunday, I took a drive into South Carolina. I visited the Prime Outlets Mall in Gaffney. I arrived about 12:30 and the parking lot was deserted!! The stores didn't open until 1:30. Over 80 retail stores, and over a mile walking past each. Now I can say "I've been there." The best part: I didn't spend a penny on things I don't need!! The parking lot was full when I left--and lots of people outside the stores waiting for them to open. Perhaps some good buys--if you need clothing and shoes--because signs everywhere saying 50% off, or 70% off, and "up to 75% off." Times must be pretty bad when "outlet" stores advertise major discounts!! So I walked over a mile, in 88 degree heat (but feels like 93 according to TV weather report) and 52% humidity. I drove sixty miles round trip. ~~~ FYI: Yesterday I replaced the battery in my pedometer so I can accurately report "over one mile, and over 2600 steps."

Being well is a journey...

"Being well is a journey---of the body, mind, and soul. Each step takes us to new places of discovery about ourselves. As we exercise our freedom to make healthy choices in how we use our body, tend our soul, and enrich our mind, we draw closer to the Creator." ~~ Acquired by Lorraine, source unknown.

A Place for Everything

A place for everything, and everything in its place. That's my goal!! It's a slow process but I'm gaining ground.

An absolutely gorgeous day: sunshine, no humidity. I plan to take a walk at 4 PM. I'm listening to (and glancing at) "The Doctors" on TV. They had advertised that a segment would be about "the raw food diet." Well, it was about "the raw meat diet" and that is a horse of a different color (in my humble opinion). They were critical--and I am too--of eating raw meat.

Earlier I did a Google search re: Coumadin. During a recent conversation about a diet rich in dark green leafy veggies, I was told she could not eat them. Today I was familiarizing myself with Coumadin and searching for a holistic health alternative. I found none!! How sad!! Domed to eat processed food the rest of her life!! So I'm counting my blessings, again, that my physical body embraces a raw food diet. (I didn't pry into her health history but poor eating habits might have led to the surgery and valve replacement that, in turn, dictates no salad now.)

National Start! Walking Day

by Catherine Holecko

Today, April 8, the American Heart Association encourages us all to get out and walk for 30 minutes. The group is asking workplaces to promote the event to employees, but I think it's a good reminder to all of us that walking is a super-easy, accessible way to fit a little more fitness into our lives. Check out this list of benefits from the AHA. Research shows that walking (or participating in some other moderate physical activity) for just a half-hour a day can:

Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease
Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels
Improve blood lipid profile
Maintain body weight and lower the risk of obesity
Enhance mental well being
Reduce the risk of osteoporosis
Reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer
Reduce the risk of non insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes

Lace up your sneakers and take a walk today. Aim for about 3,000 steps in those 30 minutes and you'll reach that "moderate" activity threshold. For help tracking your activity, and motivation to do more, try a pedometer or activity computer.

Postscript (9:30 AM): I don't want to venture outdoors today because freezing temperature last night and three to six inches of snow in the nearby mountains!! The weatherman promises nice weather for Easter.
~~~~~~~~
Postscript II (6:30 PM): I didn't walk (not even to the mail box). But I'm proud to report that I completed the Income Taxes and e-Filed Federal and State. This is a tremendous relief because one month ago I lacked motivation, and energy, to tackle the project. Today is one day short of the two month anniversary since I diagnosed the source of my illness. At this Easter season, I'm grateful for my own "resurrected life"!!
~~~~~~~~

When things go wrong...

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint on the clouds of doubt,
And you can never tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar.
So, stick to the fight when you're hardest hit
It's when things go wrong that you mustn't quit.

—Unknown
~~~~~~~~