Chardon Maple Festival Parade One

Hey Gang,
Well Parade Day One went FAB!  It was a full rockin' GoGo Bus as Ruth, Dov, Tiffany, Jeff B., Sharon, Margaret and Sabra came along. 

The crowd was huge and weather was BEAUTIFUL.

The Bus after all these years still receives thumbs up and WOW what is that thing?  The Bus drove superbly.   Margaret, Sabra and Sharon walked in front throwing out candy and Sharon Silly Stringed kids.  I had the megaphone giving my commentary and asking the crowd questions.

Afterwards I dropped everyone off and parked.  Walking back I was delayed by a garage sale and stopping every 10 feet to pick up candy that people didn't catch.  Hey why not recycle, its all part of the go green movement.  OK maybe its just me being cheap but still.....

The best thing was the garage sale.  I saw this old Sony tape recorder priced at 50 cents.  All I had on my was a $50.00 bill so the lady said OH just take it.

Well am I surprised what I picked up!  Check out these links.
http://www.thevintageknob.org/sony-TC-50.html

http://images.businessweek.com/slideshows/20111116/the-best-and-worst-of-sony.html#slide6

That's all time to sleepy.

    Gotta GoGo!!
       Carey
www.gogobus.cc

Will be posting more photos soon.

Here I am where I wasn’t supposed to be but am anyways.

Hey Gang,
Here I am where I wasn’t supposed to be but am anyways.  Malinda rented a cabin in Hocking Hills and invited Ruth and I Wednesday through Saturday. The cabin was supposed to be big enough for 4 so she said I could ask someone else also.  Ruth initially said NO then I thought she said yes so I told Malinda we’re coming and so is Dov.  Ruth then said I never said yes - I am not going. 
 Malinda then emailed and said the cabin is MUCH smaller just one room but if you want you can still come.  I said OK I will drive the GoGo Bus and Dov and I can sleep in it.  Dov said I can’t
sleep in it, the fumes gives me a bad case of bad brains.  He said let me think about it.  20 minutes later Dov calls and said want to go to Yellow Springs instead?  Sure why not and here I be.    

Did ya follow all of that?

Hocking Hills is just beautiful.  This is the link to cabins where Malinda
stayed:  http://www.hockinghills.com/thunder/  and this is a link to Hocking Hills www.hockinghills.com/
 
And where Dov and I are now is Beaver Creek at a Marriot Courtyard a 3 star hotel.  Looking out my
window I can see a mall and store after corporate store, what a stark contract to Hocking Hills.  I asked the desk clerk if I could use my grill on the balcony. She said I don’t know and called someone who said NO but they could use the court yard.  I decided on cooking in the GoGo Bus in the parking lot instead. 
Heading to Yellow Springs we stopped at a place called All A Cart just outside of Columbus that does restoration work.  I wanted them to take a peek at the Bus at some rust issues I am having.  You should see the cars they are currently working on. One is a Graham Paige.
 Here is their link http://allcarexcellence.com/
  
When we wake we are off to Clifton Mills for breakfast then Wright Patterson Air museum.  We got here just in time because it is scheduled to close in May because of the sequester. 

Posting more tomorrow.  G’Night!
Gotta GoGo!
Carey

day two Yellow Springs

Hey Gang,

Today went better, much better not that yesterday was bad but I mean the scenery aspect of the trip.

Our plans were to wake early and head to Clifton Mills for breakfast.  Unfortunately we woke at 1pm
and then headed out to the mill.  So what’s the problem? Nothing other than a pancake breakfast at 4 pm. 

Last time I was at Clifton Mills was in ’97 with Dad, Uncle Joe and my nephew.  What I remember about the place is exactly the same.  Pancakes are still served so large that I could only finish one in the stack of two.  I ordered mine with chocolate chips.  Wow so good but who could eat two?

During Christmas they light the mill with 32 million lights.  Who counted them all?  But thats what they say.

Nothing has changed in Clifton.  Same as it was probably a 100 or so years ago. Not kiddin either. After breakfast we went to Clifton Gorge voted at one time in National Geographic as one of the most beautiful places. My memory was a bit fogged as the trail seemed different.  It wasn’t
changed I am sure of that just remembered it differently.

Off the trail I noticed a small piece of glass from a bottle.  I had to investigate.  So I got off the trail that is clearly marked danger steep cliffs stay on path.  I found an area that is strewn with bits and pieces of OLD pottery and bottles.  The way the glass is made I dated the pieces to mid to late 1800’s easily.  I searched a good 20 minutes but came up with nothing whole.  I marked the spot with my vid camera so I can go back to resume my dig but I ain’t tellin’ where it is – HA!

Before the breakfast and hike we went to a college town called Yellow Springs.  My GoGo Bus fit
right in.  It got a new nickname.  Someone called it a New Age Mystery Machine.  Yellow Springs looks like a hippy retirement center.  Head shops, tie dye, mixed in with other fun trinket and clothing stores with old and young hippy’s walking around.  A few cafes, food vendors on the street with usual and unsual fare.  Dov wanted to try the goat curry but the pancakes were waiting.

That’s all.  Look at the links.  When we wake it’s off to Wright Patterson Air Force Museum.

www.cliftonmill.com/

 

www.cliftonohiohistory.org/

 

https://ohiodnr.com/location/dnap/clifton/tabid/882/Default.aspx

 

www.yellowspringsohio.org/

 

Gotta GoGo!!

Carey

Pigeon Forge Conclusion

Hey Gang,

Well.... we survived our harrowing experience of the 82 scenic drive, from here is should be all down hill or maybe I should say down mountain.

Our next route is Rt. 60. I wanted to escape heading northeast because of the pending snow so decided 60 west to 23 north through Kentucky and Ohio would be safer. Kentucky? Yes, I wanted to take the long cut home.

Rt. 60 has some pretty mean twists and turns going down steep grades but after what we’ve been through it was a sort of a relief.

 If ever in this area slow down, well that was stupid you have to slow down or you will die especially with snow on the road, and check out Hawks Nest State Park on 60, another place with breath taking views. Just plain awesome!

A short distance from Gauley Bridge is the historic Glen Ferris Inn built in 1839. It looked a bit fancy but we were hungry so we stopped for lunch. We ordered pork loin chops, so tender. It came with potato, grilled vegetables and hot buns all for $11.99 not bad for an elegant inn with a chef. Another place on my list of must return. I want to get a room here and stay. A few of the past notable guests who stayed here are Andrew Jackson, Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley. Supposedly a few rooms are haunted but as long as the goblins let me sleep I don’t care.

That was our last real stop. I pretty much drove straight home from the inn.  We did drive past the capital building of Charleston W.V.  I always wanted to see it close up and just a brief jaunt off our route in Morehead, Ky. to visit a friend then back on 60 to 23 north and again in Waverly, Ohio to order pizza from Franks for the ride home. The deep dish pizza was pretty good. 

I was saddened to see Waverly and long stretches of Rt. 23 being developed. Waverly is a quaint charming city quickly changing. Now when you enter it from the south old Sciota Discount Store has been razed along with an old apartment style building and across from it is now Walmart. Progress? I don’t think so.

The same with a stretch of 23 before you get to Columbus. Prime farmland is fallen prey to corporation greed; Walmart and other chains are now popping up. They leave the small towns vacant and decaying and take away fertile ground for produce and livestock. Sad.

And with that - it’s a wrap. All in all, terrific time enjoyed the trip and travelin’ with Ruth.

Gotta GoGo!!

Carey

6 Pigeon Forge

Hey Gang,  Its our last morning.  Heading home today.  There is snow on the ground and sunshine in the sky.  The TV is still giving travel warnings…  If traveling please bring blankets, food and drinks with you in case of being stranded.  I never saw that warning before but then again we're in the mountains and I guess if you slide off it could be days before you’re found.

We ran off our list, blankets – check, food – check, drinks – check so it was onward  to New River Gorge.  The truth is we almost needed those provisions and if I had to do it over again I wouldn’t.  It was that scary, no make it horrifying.  If I won’t speed and tell you not to try it, it has to be bad.  

The last time I was at New River was in the mid-90’s so my memory was a bit fogged.  We started off in historic Fayetteville.  The welcome center that has a sign proclaiming open year round was closed because of the snow.  So back on 19 and off at the next exit.  The National Park Visitor Center was also closed because of the weather but still not enough to deter me or should I say enough to light the bulb above my head that I shouldn’t go or don't be stupid.

 
I found a road on the area map that was outside of the welcome center, 82 scenic drive.   The drive had a number, the map had Fayette Station marked which sounded like a town to me so this must be the road to see the bridge.  It started off alright but quickly turned into a OH NO.  A narrow, I mean narrow road, more like a path with hairpin curves.  It was all one way, impossible to turn back.  A truck crept up behind me so I eased as far over without going off the edge of the drop off to let him pass.   Much later we caught up to the truck. 

We tried our best to enjoy the the awesome beauty but it sure was muted with fear.  I really had no time to look around as all my concentration was on the road.  Later on Ruth told me she saw a bird with a red beak but didn't want to take my attention away from the road that's how dangerous it was.  Serious there were sections that I really thought of just pulling over and waiting a day or two for the ice to melt.  The road slants in sections and being ice and snow covered I thought for sure we were doomed .One section the road was even flooded. 

Finally relief was up ahead, an arrow pointing to Fayette Station.   It turned out to be nothing more than a parking lot.  I found out later Fayette Station is actually the name of the road and the spot on the map was for the Fayette Station Bridge and parking area, no town at all. 

When we arrived at the bridge there was the truck we let pass.  He pulled over to take photos.  I thought it was time to stop also to snap some and relax for a few minutes.  When the man saw me he said glad to see you made it, didn't think you would.  I replied I felt the same.  

After gathering myself together it was back on the path or as they call it road.  Most of the way I drove 3 to 5 mph and only once or twice hit 10.  Impossible to go faster and maybe 10 was suicidal.  Nothing relaxing at all.  You know.... I should contact Chevy and have them do a commercial on my stunt.  And it really  was a stunt as we saw only one other vehicle besides the truck, a jeep.  But we made it.  BUT never again.  I think it put a bigger bald spot on my head.  Even Ruth spoke up twice and said it's scary. 

Gotta GoGo!!

Carey

5 pigeon forge

Hey Gang,
Our last morning at the Blue Green resort.  Sad to leave the place.  We didn’t use any of the facilities but our condo was well equipped with a wonderful large tub with whirlpool jets. 

 I need to give a warning, careful on how much bubble bath you use in a whirlpool tub.  I thought I was being attacked by the blob.

It seems like I always have at least one regret or wish that this or that would of happened instead.  It was the same on this trip.  I wasted so much time finding places to eat and going in circles that I wish I had that lost time back.  Food bought at the store and cooked would of actually saved time, money and is always way better in taste.  Our second to last night we did buy food to cook.  I made us steak and crab cakes, Ruth laid out the rice, spinach.  We had a nice feast on the patio at 11:30 pm in 68 degree temps.  How romantic and fun.

Thursday morning we left about noon and headed towards Jonesborough, Tn.. The route I drove from Gatlinburg followed the mountains, Smokies and Cherokee National Forest.  It was Rt. 321 through Newport to 75 through Jonesborough to 11E-321 through Johnson City to 91 through Elizabethton to 37 which changes to 19E which again changes to 11E19 and that ends at Bristol, Tennessee & Virginia.  There I blazed a trail for you, well sorta.  The entire route had spectacular scenery.  

For lunch we stopped at Tinkers on Rt. 321, don’t ask me exactly where it is but I can tell you this, it is small, independent, and the hot ham sandwich was delicious.  Yes Virginia there still are non corporate places to eat out there.

Before Jonesborough we made a stop in Newport.  Believe it or not we found a dry goods store, Newport Dry Goods.  It has wooden floors, ornate ceiling, unbelievably low prices and about 4 cashiers each in their own department with their own register just like years ago. Variety was pretty good also.  Ruth bought a couple of blouses,  I bought a surplus German army winter hat.  I told you the the variety was pretty good.

After that it was on to Jonesborough, Tennessee’s oldest town.  I found out about it doing an online search.  If ever in East Tennessee you have to check out this small city.  What charm, you will love the looks and feel of it.  The buildings were all very old but well kept.  Unfortunately we arrived late and it was the off season so many of the stores closed early.  I have to put this on my list of places to return to.  If possible I may even stay at one of the bed & breakfast, historic Eureka Inn on W. Main St. looked very inviting.

From there we headed to Elisabethton but it was late so not much to see or report other than a covered bridge in the middle of town and our eating experience at  Dino’s Italian Restaurant.  The place is honored with a plaque designating Dino’s as the first place to serve lasagna in Eastern Tennessee - 1960, if I remember the date correctly.  The meatballs were huge, the sauce tasted very homemade and the chicken tenders Ruth ordered were some of the best I ever tasted. 

After dinner onto Bristol, Tennessee not Bristol, Virginia.  At first back and forth Ruth and I went, Virgina - Tennessee.  Well guess what?  We both were right.  Leave Bristol, Tenn and you are in Bristol, Va..  It seems the state-line goes right through the city.

 From Bristol a short drive through the south western part of Virginia to our next destination Beckley WV.  HUH?  Yep.  I told Ruth you saw the mountains of Tennessee now I will show you another jaw dropping site – the New River Gorge Bridge.  

Not to far from Beckley the snow hit.  Travel warnings were blaring on the radio… We could expect an inch to three inches of snow, travel advisories are in affect.  1 to 2 inches up north ain’t nothin’ but on mountain roads as I found out, it can be treacherous.   I was beyond tired, almost blizzard like conditions on mountain roads at night, not a good combination so off the freeway.    We found a Travel Lodge that in its day it must have been a fine motel, now its retro old.  Cool if you are into reliving road trips back in the day.  But the room was cheap and clean.  

More when I wake.

Gotta GoGo!!

Carey

4 pigeon forge

Hey Gang

We planned things right. Yesterday sunny and warm we stayed outdoors, today rain n more rain and much cooler we did indoor things.

The first place we went was Christ in the Smokies museum formerly Christus Gardens. Dad took the family here the first time in the 60's which I barely remembered, then again on another family vacation in the 70's. So I wanted to see it to relive some memories and for Ruth who has never seen it.

It is almost the same lay out but when Christus Gardens closed about 15 years ago, they auctioned off all the figures to a bible museum in Florida. So the figures are all new, some other changes but mostly the same. The scenes are narrated and as one scene ends a door opens that leads you to the next. Excellent.

After that I thought we should walk rather than pay for parking. I thought it was a good idea even if it was pouring, Ruth not so. She waited in the rock/gem store while I got the car. I thought she wanted to buy some rocks to throw at me but got some nice necklaces instead.

As I said we planned the day right. Dinner was planned for 6:30 not midnight. After asking around and some online search I came up with the same conclusion - Bennett's or Mamas Farm House restaurant, both locally owned. We decided on Bennett's. And what do you know.... in the lobby there were advertisements for Alamo's Steak House. I asked the waitress is this affiliated with Alamo's? Sure is. Then I find out so is Mama's Farm House along with a couple of pizza places. All that researching I still ate at a corporation. Pigeon Forge is so saturated, actually the whole area, there are 2 Cracker Barrels, 2 Bennett's just to name some of the duplicate restaurants in a close vicinity. The food was OK but pricey and not a lot of side dishes, potato and one other.

From there we went souvenir shopping, and one more museum, The Hollywood Wax Museum. We both enjoyed this. They let you take as many photos as you like and get as close as you like as long as you don't touch. I am lost in time and not up much on the current crop of actors. Some of the mannequins looked just like store mannequins at a Sears or Penney's, I had no clue who they were. But Clooney, Stalone and some of the other older actors I recognized. Terrific museum.

Then it was back to the condo for packing up and here we sit....

Gotta GoGo!!
Carey