The Trip I’ve Been Waiting For
While the Democrats and Republicans are battling over VP picks and other issues, I’m going to let you in on a little secret today. It has nothing whatsoever to do with politics or anything else of importance. I was able to secure a 2008 Roadtrek Versatile 190 RV for a short trip this fall. How did I do it? I contacted the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and expressed my interest in RVs and blogging, and flaunted my blemish-free driving record. Actually, it took a bit more than that. But, anyway, the RVIA is the national trade association representing recreation vehicle manufacturers and parts suppliers. So I’m shilling for the industry. But that doesn’t mean the posts about my trip will be snark-free. Banish the thought! (By the way, did you know that the average age of today’s RV owner is 49 years old?)
Anyway, as you may know, I don’t own an RV but have long been fascinated by the idea of traveling in a self-contained vehicle like the Roadtrek. My trip will take place in early October. The route begins in Virginia, Reston, to be exact, where the RVIA is located. I will drive to the Shenandoah area, then probably Charlottesville and Floyd. Then I will visit a new friend, Pam, in Eastern Tennessee. Pam is one of the Baby Boomer Divas, a group (or should I say a ‘movement’?) organized by Beverly Mahone. Pam is eager to show me her beautiful state. We are going to a famous storytelling festival in Jonesborough and she says she’ll cook some Southern specialties. I am so there! Then on to Asheville, North Carolina, and some other spots in that state and then back to Virginia.
I am looking for some suggestions for interesting towns to see in North Carolina and Virginia that will roughly have us traveling in the correct direction to return the RV in Reston. I have been considering Greensboro and Appomattox. What say you? Anyway, this should be a blast! At 14 mpg.
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Lexington, NC. It’s SW of Greensboro and due south of Winston-Salem. The downtown historic area is small-town Americana and the city is famous for its BBQ. The best spot there to get barbecue is known locally as The Honey Monk (but the signs just say “Lexington Barbecue”). It’s located on Business 85 just east of where 64 comes in.
Here’s a map link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=barbecue+monk%27s+lexington,+nc&ie=UTF8&ll=35.833828,-80.266714&spn=0.005967,0.013947&t=h&z=17&iwloc=C
Depending on when you’re in that area, there’s also a Barbecue Festival every year. This year it’s October 25th ( http://www.barbecuefestival.com/ ) and it’s the 25th anniversary of it, so I’m sure it’s going to be a great day. The RV would be great for getting to the festival because I’m sure nearly all of the hotel rooms are already booked.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Every time I read this blog I find more interesting blogs. Thanks for BlogDivas!
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Shit. BoomerDivas. Sorry
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Most definitely Appomattox! And can I go???
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
All aboard! I think it sleep 3 or 4.
Kaz: Thanks for the suggestion. I love BBQ and am very into small-town America, too. Perfect suggestion!
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:16 pm
I am so excited for you!! I will read with interest your posts about the trip. We have never been in that area. Take some liquid Tide for the pot holding tank (that’s all we use–about 1/4 cup). We enjoyed a 1631 mile trip about a month ago (Colorado) and averaged 16.57. We kept it around 60 to 65 mph. We only have a 170, but it shouldn’t make much difference. Enjoy your Trek.
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Sounds like great fun! I don’t live that far from Reston if you wanted a meet-up. And the Shenandoah is gorgeous! I recommend Luray Caverns – the best ones on the East Coast and nearby New Market for antique shopping! Plus if you’re going in October Skyline Drive will be absolutely gorgeous with the leaves!
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:52 pm
I highly recommend the Asheville, NC area (although that might be too far west for your trip). You can then catch the Blue Ridge Parkway right at the edge of town, drive north till it ends, then catch Skyline Drive till it ends at Front Royal, then take I-66 east to Reston.
Reston is kind of in my neck of the woods, suburban DC (I’m on the Maryland side). Are you in town for the AARP convention? You said good things about it when it was in Boston, so I thought I’d go since it’s right here (it’s only about 10 metro stops from work).
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:50 pm
I definitely recommend Asheville. Nate and I spent our first anniversary there and it was HEAVEN! The people were very nice and the scenery was breath-taking.
My daughter goes to school in Greensboro. i don’t know much about the area–other than the fact that 5 people got killed there in the 80s. I think they were a part of the Socialist Party protesting against the KKK.
There aren’t many rural places I would go to in NC—alone. Too many slave houses and lynching trees give me the willeys.
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:48 am
Like you, I’ve wanted to RV ever since I read John Steinbeck’s ‘Travels With Charley’ in the 70s during a marathon trek from Connecticut to Colorado with two teaching friends.
Although I live in Massachusetts now (you and I met at the AARP event in Boston earlier this year!), I know the part of the country you’ll be driving through: I went to college in Williamsburg; my son goes to college in Greensboro (High Point, actually) and I grew up in Charlotte.
As for places to go: any of the Civil War battle sites; Appomattox is fun (although the original building in which Lee surrendered to Grant was lost in a fire and has been recreated); and Monticello, which I toured for the first time just last week. At a time when some of our most cherished freedoms are threatened, it’s inspiring to walk in Jefferson’s footsteps.
Western North Carolina and Virginia are lovely and well worth an investment of time and $ (despite the 14 mpg!). You’ll find that driving an RV is easy; maneuvering around gas pumps etc. is somewhat more of a challenge.
Be safe. Have fun!!
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:50 am
Thanks for these recs everyone! I will definitely be adding some of these to my trip. Beverly: I don’t blame you for being scared in rural spots in the South. I’m not even black and I would be, too.
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:54 am
Paul, thanks for writing in! I have never seen any Civil War battlefields so I will be trying to get to some of those. Thanks for your ideas.
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:58 am
On our year-long road trip in a converted bus (you mentioned my book about the trip in a prior post – thank you!) one of our favorite spots was the Burwell School Historic Site in Hillsborough, NC. There, in 1837, in a nondescript, white clapboard house, Anna Burwell, wife of the local pastor, opened one of the earliest female academies. She not only came up with a full curriculum of literature, history and language all on her own, but was an early proponent of physical excercise, making her young charges dance indoors when the weather was too inclement to go outside.
At one time, this modest four-room abode was home to more than 60 people, the most extraordinary of whom was a young slave, Elizabeth Hobbes Keckly, who eventually bought her own freedom, traveled north, became the best friend of Mary Todd Lincoln and even wrote a book about their relationship, intending to defend the First Lady to the public.
And, if all that isn’t enough for you, look for a small, extremely sturdy building on the property that seems to have weathered the years better than any other and you’ll understand where the expression “brick shit-house” comes from.
One of our favorite campgrounds was Rolling View State Recreation Area, about a half hour east of Durham (a state park smack-dab in the middle of an urban area – can’t beat that).
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Doreen, good to hear from you! Early American history is my one of my big interests. I’m going to look into visiting Hillsborough.
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:33 pm
I left a comment on here last night, but it didn’t show up. If you go to Asheville, be sure to visit the Biltmore House. It’s incredible, and the area is beautiful there and the Shenandoah Valley. Williamsburg is a good place to see. I didn’t look at a map and don’t know if these places are feasible but wanted to mention them.
Oh yes! Travels with Charley had the same effect on me. I’d love to get together with some friends and take off in an RV! This sounds like a wonderful trip! Can’t wait to hear about it!
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Thanks, Joy. I’ve been reading about the Biltmore estate. I love Williamsburg, but it will be too far away for us to get to on this trip.
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:40 pm
When you’re heading to Charlottesville, stop off in Crozet and get a slice of pizza at Crozet Pizza…easily the best pizza I’ve ever had! Also, visit some of the wineries in the area; Barboursville, Burnley, Horton, Jefferson and Wintergreen are a few I’ve been to.
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Janet, I will check out Crozet!
September 4th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Speaking of Travels with Charley, he was a black standard poodle, just like Miles, the one we took on our trip.
If you go to Burwell, let me know what you think!
September 4th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Oh you should come check us out on the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia. We have state and national seashore parks where you can park your RV and fall asleep listening to the ocean. October is the hidden secret of the locals here. The weather is gorgeous and the water is still warm. Plus we have wild ponies on our beaches and allow bonfires at night. It’s heaven here in October.
September 4th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
VV, a bonfire sounds divine.
September 14th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
The campground/RV facilities at Cherokee National Park in North Carolina are fantastic! A beautiful area and definitely a must-see!
September 15th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Debbie, thanks for the tip!