Waynesboro, VA to Murrells Inlet, SC

Another day of long traveling - 675 kms today - out of Virginia, across North Carolina and well into South Carolina.

The built in shower seat in our room in Waynesboro, VA
It looked so potentially uncomfortable that I didn't try it.

South River American Grill - in Waynesboro, VA
We had two excellent meals there.

Another drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia - on our way to North Carolina

By the time we reached North Carolina, the snow had virtually disappeared.

Still lots of logging in North Carolina

We made a side trip to visit Erwin, NC.  My brother, Dave, was a truck driver most of his career.  In the 1970's he had a contract hauling denim cloth, produced at the Erwin Mill, to Edmonton, where it was made into GWG jeans.  He remembers the giant trees that were in front of the mill.  Later, GWG imported its denim cloth from Mexico, and Dave had a run for some years from Edmonton to Laredo, TX.  Still later the jeans were made in Mexico and GWG went out of business.

Erwin Mill in Erwin, NC

Some of the large trees in front of Erwin Mill

The Erwin Mill is closed now and much of the warehouse space has been sub-divided into business condos.
Franklin is the second in his family to haul a load out of the Erwin Mill property.

We had a somewhat bizarre incident in Erwin.  After taking the photos around the old mill, we thought Dorothy should get ready for her driving shift by getting a sundae at Dairy Queen.  We asked our GPS lady to direct us to DQ.  Right away, we got directions, turn right on 14 th Street, etc.  It was definitely a side street which led into a winding lane, down a hill, into a meadow where the road ended at the Erwin Waste Water Treatment Plant.  We laughed about that.  There was only one way out and that was the way we had come in.  Back across the meadow, up the winding hill road to the street that was blocked by the Deputy Sheriff in his cruiser.  He asked us "What ch'all doin' this here-away" (I think).  We explained that our GPS had given us incorrect directions to the Dairy Queen.  He couldn't think what the correct directions were so he let us be on our way.  On her second try, the GPS lady directed us to the DQ which actually was in the next town, Dunn, NC somewhat hidden in a shopping mall.

Some ground fog in southern North Carolina - temperature was only +2C

Sunset in South Carolina

When we reached our hotel in Murrells Inlet, SC we saw strange
trees in the parking lot.  We will have to check them out in the morning.

visit to Monticello

Today we stayed over in Waynesboro.  The highlight was a visit to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826).  Jefferson worked on developing the property from the late 1760's until well after he retired from the presidency in 1809.  It was more than a home, it was the center of a working plantation which once included more than 3,000 acres.  The displays show the wide range of Jefferson's interest including agriculture, architecture, literature, politics, linguistics, etc. 

When we visited today, they were displaying Jefferson's diary entry for December 18, 1795.  He noted that the day was cloudy and the high temperature was 37F.  Today, December 18, 2010, it was cloudy and the high temperature was 34F.  Wow, this global warming is fearsome.

The Blue Ridge Mountains near Charlottesville, VA

Monticello - a lifetime love of Thomas Jefferson

No photos are allowed during the interior tour but I took some at the nearby education center which I hope capture some of the detail.

An early form of "great room", Jefferson entertained guests here such as George Washington and James Madison.

Jefferson's bedroom - to save floor space the bed was
built into an alcove in the wall, with storage space
above (ventilated by the three holes above)
There was also a skylight - the first in North America

Jefferson's "book room" - he once had the U.S.A.'s largest library
over 6,000 books - many of which were donated to start The Library of Congress.

Franklin & Dorothy at Monticello - December 18, 2010

Franklin says Good-bye to his new bud - Tom

Jefferson's influence is also prevalent at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA
Jefferson designed the buildings, wrote the curriculum, and hired most of the first faculty.
He considered his founding of the U of VA more important than his presidency.

Another example of Jefferson's architectural design at the University of Virginia

 My overall impression of the house tour and the displays at the education center was that Jefferson would be pleased.  The emphasis was on his family life, his interests, and his ideas.  His political role, including his presidency was very understated, as Jefferson himself indicated when, in listing his three major accomplishments he did not mention his presidency.
For more information about Monticello, you can visit http://www.monticello.org

Scranton, PA to Waynesboro, VA

Up bright and early today - faced with difficult choice for breakfast - bacon and eggs; or biscuits and gravy.

(lower) eggs, left; gravy, right

After breakfast, Franklin was asked to sit in for Joe Biden (not really)

Actually, most of the day was devoted to driving - 540 kms today.

Southern Pennsylvania, still lots of coal mining in this area

Once we got through Pennsylvania, we passed through two other states in quick succession, Maryland, and West Virginia, before entering Virginia.

Some fields in Maryland

Welcome to West Virginia

and Virginia welcomes you too

Jeremy crosses the Shenandoah River ... far away ... you rollin' river

and, we traveled for miles down the Shenandoah Valley ...

until we came to the Blue Ridge Mountains around Waynesboro

Brockville, ON to Scranton, PA

On the road again, we left Brockville, ON just after 10:00 AM.

Highway 401 between Brockville, ON and the 1000 Island Bridge

We crossed into the United States via the 1000 Island Bridge, mid-way between Brockville and Kingston.  It is actually two large bridges, one in Canada and one in the U.S.

1000 Island Bridge - Canadian  portion

1000 Island Bridge - U.S. portion

In New York state, Interstate 81 winds around the east end of Lake Ontario.  In winter, the wind off the lake often produces heavy snow in the "snow belt".  So as we traveled along we noticed more snow.

Then, we encountered a worrisome amount of snow that B. Glee thought was excessive.

But then we got to the real snow belt ...

But, after about 50 kms we began to drive out of the snow and see some of the scenery of south-western New York state.

By the time we reached Pennsylvania, the sun was shining brightly.

Then it was on through the hills of northern Pennsylvania to Scranton, the home town of Vice President Joe Biden.

in Brockville, ON Dec. 15, 2010

A varied day, highlighting friends and family.  We met our friends, Gloria and Hugh, for lunch at The Mill Restaurant.

Hugh, Franklin, Dorothy, Gloria

The Mill stream flowing briskly into the St. Lawrence River in the background.

There has been a building on this site since 1784 when a sawmill was constructed of local field stone.  In the 1880's the structure was converted to a fuel storage depot, and in the 1980's renovated again into the present restaurant, preserving the stone walls and many of the oak ceiling beams of the original structure.  It is one of many heritage buildings in Brockville.

In the afternoon, we journeyed a few miles east to the Maitland Road to visit Roselawn Memorial Gardens where Dorothy's parents, Charlie and Blanche, are buried.

Dorothy at the site of her parent's burial.
Her father was a great automobile enthusiast and wanted to be buried near the roadway.
[We have plots reserved here too.]

In the evening, we were back to The Mill Restaurant to have dinner with our friend George who drove up from Cornwall, ON.

George, Franklin, Dorothy
 Our friends in Lloydminster will remember when George visited in 2003
to help celebrate the centennial of the city named after his great-grandfather George Exton Lloyd

We had a rather remarkable incident today.  When we were in Kingston, at The Pond, one of the couples there asked us to look up the wife's cousin who lives in Sherwood Park.  They gave us her name and address.  Today, when we arrived at The Mill Restaurant, the waitress said her husband's aunt lived in Sherwood Park.  When we asked for her name, it emerged it was the same person who was the cousin of the lady at The Pond.  Ooo-ooo-ooo-o

Kingston to Brockville and Almonte, ON

This was our day to leave Kingston.  Carylanne made an appointment for Dorothy to meet with her personal trainer who gave Dorothy some exercises to do to help with her shoulder and neck problems.  Then Carylanne helped us pack up and move out of "The Pond".  Then we went to the Cataraqui Towne Centre for some shopping and a cold drink before we said our farewells.  It was sad to leave, not knowing when we will be able to come again.  We appreciate the hospitality and kindness that everyone showed us in Kingston - especially Paul and Carylanne, who did so much to host us and provide us with many memorable experiences.

We arrived in Brockville about 3:00 pm.  There was more snow today and penetrating humid cold although only -12C.  Then we were off to Almonte, ON, about 1.25 hrs north of Brockville.  There we had a nice visit and great dinner with our friends Vicki and Bob, and their sons Matthew and Andy.  Later we took in some of Matthew's hockey game before driving back to Brockville.

(l-r) Matthew, Bob, Vicki, Andy

Franklin & Dorothy with Andy & Matthew
We found them to be a couple of alert, respectful and engaging young men.

Vicki gave Dorothy a few more tips on being a hockey Mom
as Matthew plays (below - Number 15)