March 25-26, 2019 - Greensboro, NC - Visiting a Dear Friend and Mt. Airy, NC

March 25-26, 2019 - Greensboro, NC - Visiting a Dear Friend and Mt. Airy, NC


I am still going through and cropping the pictures and write-up for our time in Hardeeville, SC, and will post them soon.  In the meantime I want to try and catch up the past several days.   We are currently in Nashville, TN.

We left our friends Keith & Drena, Alvin & LInda and Cindy this morning shortly after 9:00am, as we moved from Camp Lake Jester in Hardeeville, SC to Greensboro KOA, NC to spend a couple of days with my very dear friend Dede Roberts.

Dede and I met in Lawrence, KS in November 1984 to attend the City Clerk Certification Institute through Kansas University.  We both were attending our first year of the three year program and we quickly became very good friends.  Even though Dede left the position of City Clerk after serving in two communities for a total of about 10 years, she remained involved in city government for several years, and served as Mayor of Spring Hill, KS a few years later.  We have remained friends throughout the changes that have occurred in our lives.  It's like time just picks up where it left off the last time we saw or talked to each other.  

Before we left, Alvin and/or Keith were telling us about the little town called "South of the Border, SC".  On our way we enjoyed the billboards they had up every few miles for MANY, MANY miles.

Here are a few pics once we reached South of the Border:

How many of you remember the Palmer Motel/Rentals in Oswego?  When I saw this I had to take a picture.  I know my step-brother Mike and his aunts will appreciate it - as that was his grandparents and their parents.  It was one of the first places Dean lived when he moved there.

How about that sombrero?

Pink Flamingos

Pedro - welcoming us to "South of the Border, SC"

Not sure what this gorilla's name is - but reminds me of PSU's Gus.

After we were set up, we headed to Dede's apartment in downtown Greensboro.  Wow, it was good to see her and we had a delightful evening.  Unfortunately, the predicted rain did not hold off, even though it was pretty light, so we still managed to walk around a bit in the downtown area on the way to a nearby restaurant, Europa Cafe.  The food was quite good and we had a nice visit.  Afterwards we walked back to Dede's and visited for another couple of hours before we headed back to Bentley.



Tuesday, March 26, 2019

We were up early this morning because Dean and I decided to go out for breakfast.  We selected Jake's Diner.  I chose a farm ham and cheese omelet.  Dean had his normal 2 egg, sausage, hash browns and biscuit.  He thought his meal was pretty good.  I was disappointed and part of it was my own fault.  I almost asked what type of cheese they used in their omelets - I prefer cheddar and really dislike american cheese.  Guess what I had - yep, american.  The farm ham was pretty salty but I was hungry so I ate it anyway.  Dean did not need a hangry lady to deal with later!

From Jake's we drove northwest a bit to Mt. Airy, NC.  On the way we could see Pilot Mountain in front of us for quite a distance.  

Pilot Mountain

Entering Mt. Airy

How many of you remember hearing about Mt. Pilot on the Andy Griffith Show?  Do you think that might have been Pilot Mountain?  Andy grew up in Mt. Airy, NC.  I was surprised to learn how many things in Mt. Airy were directly related to Mayberry.  Dean and I still love to watch the Andy Griffith Show so we thoroughly enjoyed our time here.  I could have easily spent the entire day going to the shops and just driving around the town.  Dean enjoyed it, but his feeling is, "I don't have to read everything in a museum to enjoy it", unlike me who doesn't want to miss a word.  If we had visited just one store that would have been enough for him - so I didn't even put him through it.  Isn't he a lucky guy?  Honestly, he is so good about these trips we make and I'm so very thankful for it.  He's the best!

The following are a few things I wanted to share from our time at The Andy Griffith Museum

Do any of these pictures look familiar?

Andy's boyhood home.

Posing with Opie and Pa (Andy).

Beautiful trees behind the Museum

Dean, I didn't know you had a thing for Thelma Lou?  

Loved this statute in front of the Museum.

Me in front of the museum.

One thing I seen in the museum was a video of Brad Paisley singing his song Waiting on a Woman.  While I've heard the song many times, I did not know Andy had a cameo part in the video and I loved it.  If you are an Andy fan, and haven't ever seen it, take the time to watch to the very end.  

When we returned to Greensboro, we stopped by Dede's business Mi-Box.  She started the business about 4-5 years ago.  I'm so proud of her.  It's not easy starting a new business and working it from the ground up, but I know she's a person who can do it and she'll do great.  

We had a tour of the warehouse where they keep their boxes and met Jeff, her office assistant.  We really enjoyed visiting with him as well.  As usual, she has surrounded herself with some great people.  

We returned to her apartment and then left to take a walk downtown while it was still light and best of all:  no rain.  It was a beautiful late afternoon and I snapped quite a few pictures to share.

What a gorgeous building in downtown Greensboro, NC.

An old Woolworth Building has been renovated into The International Civil Rights Center & Museum.  I would have liked to have visited, but they were near closing for the day.  On my list for the next visit.

Old Kress Building - I cannot remember what is located here now, but another beautiful building.

A restaurant I know my daughter would love.  

There were a few of these jean sculptures in the downtown area that were created by High School students.

Sculpture to Remember 911

Pictures of a couple of notes that had fallen to the base of the sculpture.

Crooked Tail Cat Cafe - I had never heard of a cat cafe before, but discovered Nashville also has one (where we are now).

Creator of Vicks Vapor Rub - right here in Greensboro!

Dede had a wonderful dinner prepared for us of pork loin (was cooking in the crock pot all day) and roasted vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, mushrooms, fennel, onions).  The meal was delicious!  

Dean did a little repair work for her on a table she had purchased, and of course, the outcome was great.  I have to brag on my husband just a little, right?  He is pretty resourceful and I do appreciate how he seems to be able to fix anything, whether for me, family or friends!

We had a great visit, and even remember to take a picture together and one of Dean and I: 

Dede and I

Dean and I with our Sheriff badges

and finally at about 9:00 we headed back to Bentley.  Dede, thanks so much for the meals and taking time out of your busy schedule for us.  We both really enjoyed our time with you and visiting the area.