Road Trip Part 2: The Carolinas

It seemed to take an exorbitant amount of time for Dad and Sam to appear through arrivals at Atlanta and then we still had to wait for their baggage, which they apparently already collected once but had had it taken off them again prior to coming up the stairs.  What we quickly realised was even though I had given strict maximum dimensions of the car boot they had exceeded it and luckily for them Stu and I had less things for a 2 week vacation than they had for a one!  So we managed to get a third bag in the roof box and one in the back.
They were both in good form and only a few minor complaints around the diabetic meal that Dad had been given again (despite of saying he was going to cancel it on his profile after his last visit to the States!). The hotel was in the Midtown district of Atlanta but by the time we were leaving the traffic was clear and took us about 20 minutes.  The first issue we realised was this trendy boutique hotel I had booked had a parking garage too low for the roof box so the car was parked on a dark empty lot behind the hotel! That didn’t help me have a sound night by any means.
The hotel was very trendy as it was situated in the heart of the theatre district and the rooms were really nice except for the tiny bathrooms.  Since it was late we decided to have a light bite to eat in the hotel bar.  Dad had the first of many Light beers he was going to consume during the trip and we all had a good chat for about an hour when both Sam and Dad reached the point of no return and needed their beds.
So we get up at a good time and I go in to see the travellers only to discover Dad has broken his tooth in the night!  Fortunately it wasn’t hurting and he could still get his dentures in so we decided not to bother with looking for a dentist. We go for breakfast in the Broadway Diner and we are the only ones in there, except for all the cakes!  Good hearty breakfast to start the day.  Next Stuart goes to the car and discovers it is still there but the battery is dead and he cant get into it.  Oh no – 2 things of bad luck, what will be the third?!  Well I manage to sort out getting some one to jump start the car and rather than us all sitting around I send off the other three to have a walk and see Atlanta while I wait for the garage man.

The long and short of it is that the car gets jump started (not that we know why the battery goes flat) and the others walk to the nearby Piedmont Park, however, by the time they get there they have already gone so far that Dad can’t make it back.  I head off to meet them and pick them up.  In the park they had a wonderful time seeing an excellent view of downtown Atlanta perfectly reflected in the park lake, they see a film set for The Reluctant Fundamentalist and see a chipmunk!

The set for ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’

Unfortunately we were setting off later than I intended because we had a fairly long drive ahead of us to get to Asheville up in the Appalachians.  The road wound up through the mountains and the leaves were starting to turn to their autumnal colours as we climbed.  When we got to the top we had a fantastic view across tree covered hills as far as the eye could see.  We stopped off for lunch in Dillsboro for a sandwich and managed to  report into home.  We then went on a little detour to see some waterfall talked about in the guidebook at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  It seemed like a good opportunity for everyone to have a walk and stretch their legs.  By now we had already left Georgia and were in North Carolina.

Fully laden ‘Iggy’ the VW Tiguan

The Appalachians

The path up to the falls got steeper and steeper so in the end we decided to leave Dad on a rock while the young ones continued up.  Once we reached the top we realised they were not quite as impressive as we hoped – probably the dry summer weather hadn’t helped! There was this old guy, certainly over 70, running up and down the steps up to the falls.  We followed him down and Dad almost feel off his rock when he saw him turn around again and run back up the hill!

	The waterfalls were not quite as impressive as we had hoped but it allowed a leg stretch

We arrived in Asheville by about 5pm and had adjoining rooms so we could chat about where we should go for dinner.  For some reason the place I picked from the restaurant guide in the room wasn’t to be found, however we did find a suitable place on the main street.  Asheville is pretty hilly as we discovered, since it is in the Appalachians and has a young population.  It was pretty lively with live music on the street, a guy doing tricks while standing in extremely high heels on a balancing board.

Sam was very impressed with the bedroom sizes – so we had to get a photo for her!!	Note the stilettoes!
	Dessert – Frozen yogurt that you go and dispense yourself

That morning, Sam and I went for a run through Asheville.  I had to try and memorise the route and only took one or two wrong turnings.  It was certainly harder that Houston with the hills, mind you there was only one of them that stopped us talking altogether!  Stuart managed to find us the most popular breakfast place in town (The Overeasy) and it was great although it took us a while to all get seated together, but I would say definitely worth the wait.
We had another big driving day to Chapel Hill, our most northerly stop to see Stan and Marge.  Again we decided it was a good idea to have a sight seeing stop and took a wonderful windy road to Chimney Rock – another big rock that you can climb to the top of and get some great views. By the time you get here you are out of the main Appalachians but the views are just as good.  We thought Dad might not make it up, however he was inspired by a couple of similar aged ladies also attempting the climb, and so not to be out done he came all the way, up the hundreds of steps.  It was worth it and I think he felt very proud, although he had two very worried daughters all the way up continually asking if he needed to rest!

First lookout stop (photo no. 1) Sam and I were thinking Dad should stop here!	But he kept on coming!
….. and coming!	until he go to the top

After a photo session at the top we left Dad to entertain some other ladies having a break while we took off up the final climb. He had definitely see the best bit and the path wasn’t as good up the next stage so I certainly think it was a wise decision. By the time we got back to him he had a swarm of ladies around him! Dragging him away, we descended again and Sam and I were equally if not more worried about him coming down. Again we saw someone (a very large man) attempting the climb and Dad was pleased he had made it.

	View back to where we had our previous group photo

By the time we got to the bottom it was certainly lunch time.  Just outside the park there was a cafe and we decided we could get something small – not to mention Dad was having the first of his cannula problems so he didn’t want to eat too much. Sam and I tried to get fired green tomatoes but they didn’t have any – another time!  We ordered our lunch and went to sit outside.  I was just putting something in the bin on the deck when I saw something move in the rubbish bin.  I squealed and both Stu and Sam thought it was hilarious.  When I had another look it was a skunk!  Sam went in to tell the staff and three large boys came out to have a look – they looked more scared than me!  Anyway in the end they called the ranger to deal with the skunk, when the ranger turned up she was a small lady and not remotely worried.  They took the bin on to the grass and tipped it over gently, and the skunk ran off in to the bushes.  It was pretty big and she said it was very unusual to find one in the bin normally it is raccoons.

Skunk in bin!	Men stand around while lady game keeper deals with the skunk

The freeway was pretty dull to Chapel Hill and we skirted past Charlotte, where we would be heading back to the next day.  However, eventually we made it to Marge and Stan’s stunning housing development.  As we drove through the security protected gates you drive past numerous groomed golf courses and perfectly manicured gardens.  The are set well in and I think it took us nearly 10 minutes to get there.  They were so happy to see us as we were to see them.  First things first we had a drink and a few nibbles.  Marge and Stan had last seen Mum and Dad back in Scotland in about 2003.  That evening Marge had arranged us to go to dinner at the University and it was a very smart restaurant.  I had the most wonderful duck – a very special treat since we don’t get much if at all in Houston.  Once we were fed like kings, Sam, Stu and I went our separate ways and left Dad who was going to spend the night with Marge and Stan and we would all meet up again for breakfast the following morning.
I didn’t really think finding somewhere to stay was going to be an issue, however the first place we tried was fully booked and the second place we tried, I think a Holiday Inn was pretty booked but he said he had two smoking rooms only left!  Eek what to do?  We decided to take it and when we got in, the receptionist found one non smoking room which we gave to Sam and then he offered Stu and I a non smoking room next to the elevator engine room or a smoking room.  We decided to take the elevator noise for the night.  That was all fine and actually the noise wasn’t too unbearable anytime someone used the lift, however, at about 4:30am the fire alarm goes off.  We get out of bed and put on a coat.  Stuart heads straight out while I just go around the corner to get Samantha who by that time is already out of her room.  We go downstairs and it is only us and a handful of others who have attempted to make it out.  Now remember we know the hotel is full so where is everyone else?!  Anyway the fire engines turns up and finally we are told it a false alarm and we can go back to bed.  Stuart tells me when he got downstairs there was only one other person, a Nigerian guy, who is standing in terror having obviously made a very swift exit from the hotel!
While packing up the car Stuart has a moment of madness and decides it would be really funny if he climbs in the roof box to pretend he has had to sleep the night in there!  Well in the car park there is a girl and her father standing nearby and all we hear is the girl saying to her father – look Daddy there is a man coming out of a coffin!  Oh how we laughed.
Once again Marge out did herself and we had such a nice selection for breakfast including yogurt, granola, nuts and fruit followed by a sausage and egg flan – yummy!  We had planned that Dad, Stan and I would go and play 9 holes of golf on the hilly course and be accompanied by one of Marge’s friends to make up a foursome, while Sam and Marge would play tennis and Stuart would read his book.  Marge set Dad and I up with some borrowed clubs and we all set off to the club house.  Fortunately we had a little time for a practice shot or two since I hadn’t picked up a golf club since about January.  The clubs were really nice and would certainly get me around.  It was sunny but pretty chilly when we started off and actually I think I wore my fleece the whole way around.  We had buggies and thank goodness as they weren’t lying about the hilliness!  The buggy almost didn’t make it up some of the hills, dad and I were having images of the battery giving up and we would find ourselves rolling backwards down the path.

	The course was hilly (as named) and wonderfully manicured, with plenty of water obstacles to lose your balls in!

The course was beautiful and very quiet.  We saw a snapping turtle out on the bank just where my ball had landed in the water!  Fortunately I think I only lost a net of one ball so not too bad going!  Just towards the end I found a King Cobra 4R (rescue club) in the bag and I wish I had found it earlier as that went for miles.  Dad was also enjoying the Taylor Made driver that he had (he has already purchased one back home!). It was a close game but team Ferguson managed to pip it in the end!

It was sad when we had to leave as we had a fully packed visit and could have easily stayed longer to some more of Chapel Hill and surrounding area.  Once again we loaded up and took the road back to Charlotte to meet up with friends of Stuart and I, Roger and Meg, who we had not seen since we went on our cycling trip to Bordeaux back in 2007.  Now moving into South Carolina.
The GPS had a small problem finding their house and put us in the fire station but  eventually found it and Roger came up to the gates to look for us.  They lived in a small community surrounded by trees which opened up in to their grand house.  We were greeted by Angus, the cairn terrier, who insisted on belly rubbing.  The house was enormous inside and had a kitchen every cook would have dreamed for.  Meg had kindly said we could all stay and we were not going to say no.  That night they took us out to dinner a their sons restaurant called the Fig Tree. When we first met them the restaurant had just started and it looked like it was still going strong.  We got treated to a fine dinner and Roger had brought along a selection of different aged wines that we all discussed what our favourites was at the end of evening.   Meg then took us on a tour though the centre of Charlotte and compared to Houston, the centre was far more happening and really smart.  When we got home we sat by the open fire keeping warm and having a final drink.

	We would like one of these back home (if only it would rain so much in Scotland!)

The next morning Sam and I went for a swim in their heated pool.  The outside temperature was pretty cold but as long as you kept yourself below the water line you were fine.  Sam was complaining of stiffness from the Asheville run so I think the swim helped (a little!).  Meg had put together a breakfast feast with a very American version of French toast.  Sam immediately asked for the recipe to give the children back home!  Once again our visit was just too short and we set off mid morning towards Folly Beach.

We had thought it was going to be a five hour journey and was relieved to be told by Meg that it was just about 3 hours.  So we decided to make a stop in the Congaree National Park.  Originally I had wanted to do some canoeing through the swamps but they only arrange trips very infrequently so we decided to still go but take a walk instead.
The park was empty and the first thing we notice was the mosquito meter that was showing low levels – the issue with swamps.  Mind you again because of dry weather it wasn’t much of a swamp at this time of the year.  The park has boardwalks that run through the swampy forest.  Some of the trees are enormous and many have the characteristic roots sticking up about the swamp floor.  Stuart took the information booklet and so we could stop at ‘points of interest’ on the way and hear about the important or interesting fact at that location.  We got to a part on the edge of water and watched lots of turtles swimming around and sun bathing on branches. We must have been out for at least an hour before we all hopped back in the car for the final leg down the road.
Folly Beach is about 15 minutes south of Charleston and we had rented a beach house for two days.  We picked up the keys and the house was quite far down the road from the main centre of Folly Beach, however, I think it seemed longer as there was a strictly enforced 30 mph speed limit (as we kept being told).  Our rental place was not quite as beautiful as some of them but it did have its own direct access to the beach which for me was a major plus point. 
Almost straight away we noticed the house, up on stilts, had possibly been affected by some bad storms.  As you walked from the front of the house to the back you felt that you were walking downhill and then if anyone moved in the house the whole thing started to wobble!  Well we finally got used it even if it was a bit disconcerting to begin with. That night we decided to have a BBQ on the front deck and watch the sun going down.  Even though we were straight onto the Atlantic the sea was surprisingly calm.  We didn’t go into the water that evening but rather opted to catch the last bit of sun on the deck.  Stuart, meanwhile, went off to Piggly Wiggly (yes that is the name of the supermarket!) and bought is some lobster, crawfish and shrimp – we were not going to go hungry!
The BBQ was challenging to cook on but Stuart managed it and we just had to have dinner courses in shifts since it wasn’t large enough to cook everything together.  By the time the sun went down the mosquitoes appeared so we had to shut the doors to stop the devils coming in.
The next morning Stuart put Sam and I to shame and ran down to the sea and jumped in.  He came back and said even though the air temperature was cold the water felt quite warm.  Well as not to be out done we did the same thing and it was amazing.  Getting out was not so amazing though!  We all had breakfast then followed up with a long walk along the beach towards Morris Lighthouse and a view back into Charleston.  The sand was pretty good to walk on as it was all hard.  Many of the houses along the front looked like they were undergoing repairs from storm damage – there was one or two that looked like their foundations had nearly been washed away. At the top end of the beach we started to see funny tracks in the sand that we put down to turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs at night.  It talked about in the guide book so was likely.  There were pelicans flying around and Sam even spotted some dolphins not too far from the shoreline.  Again there was hardly a sole.  As we made our way back we realised the tide had come in and now some of the parts we walked were underwater.  Not a problem for me in flip flops but a little difficult for Dad in his shoes and socks!  So we sat him on a rock and he went barefoot.  This wouldn’t be bad minus the fact we had to walk over barnacle covered boulders!  With help of Sam and I we got him over about three of these and made it back to the house with no stubbed toes.

Folly Beach and only us!
	Morris Lighthouse

Later that morning Dad, Sam and I left Stuart reading his book and went to take a look at Charleston.  It is know for it charm and is certainly the most touristy place we had been so far.  We decided to go for the full tourist experience and take a horse and carriage ride through Charleston.  Our driver was a recent graduate in business or something trying to make some cash through the summer.  The houses were very pretty and he told us stories about their privacy doors that meant the owners could sunbath naked on their porches and the fact the balcony ceilings were painted blue like the sky to keep away the evil spirits/ghosts as they would see the blue colour and think it was daytime.  There were lots of stalls selling tourist tat and it was certainly priced for the tourist market, however Sam and Dad managed to buy some really pretty blown glass ornaments from a shop off the main drag. 
By the time we had looked around it was time for some lunch.  I said I would meet them on the front at a place suggested by the carriage-man  but go and check the meter on the car.  I was making my way down to the front, having left Sam with the map, and was surprised to see them walking towards me.  I said what are you doing here.  We ended up going around the docks – Sam’s map reading is something to be desired!!  Anyway eventually we ended up at Fleet Landing and managed to sit on the deck looking out to see.  again we spotted so dolphins and a clipper boat going by.  Finally Sam and I managed to have our fried green tomatoes and they were good but maybe not amazing!  Dad had the most enormous salad – were trying to eat light because we were going out to dinner in Folly Beach that night.

	Lunch at Fleet Landing

When we got back to the house we went for another swim to make the most of it.  We managed to get Dad to come in as well, however the waves were a little stronger this time so we got pushed around a bit more.  That night we tried out the local crab shack which had a bucket in the middle of the table for all your bits of shell. 
It was wonderful having a full day off driving any distance but we had to hit the road again.  This time I had us reaching Augusta for the night.  It was not a super long drive so Stuart had managed to find about the only affordable public course in Augusta for us all the play nine holes – oh what a laugh!  We crossed into Georgia at Augusta and found the course quite a long way out but again we were the only ones there.  We decided we should play girls versus boys this time.  We could only hire two sets of clubs so we shared!  The course was not quite as well groomed as the one earlier in the week but it wasn’t too bad.  We all had our moments of greatness and then some not so great moments!  Again there were a few lost balls but for the most part we managed to find others to make up the numbers again.  By the end it was looking close about who was going to win then unfortunately the boys beat us on the last two holes. 
Augusta didn't look to have much to stay for so we decided to continue up the road and look for somewhere else to stay.  I had planned us following Hwy 28 (scenic road) and was just hoping we might find somewhere.  Well there really wasn’t much and we had to continue further than I thought.  We finally saw the signs to a resort with marina etc. on the edge of the lake.  We drove up to it to find it was all shut up and no one there.  It was very strange this enormous place all dead, however, we found out later on it had gone bust this year!  Well where next?!  Another place mentioned in the guide book was Hickory Knob State Park and that was very close by so we decided to give it a go.  It was good news they had room for us and they even served dinner there.  It was the only State Park like this and we were going to make the most of it.  Dinner was amusing as we were the youngest there by miles, even compared to the waitresses.  They did serve alcohol even if very limited and had a small select menu.  I wouldn’t say it was gourmet but it was food.
After we went to their games room and took some of the left over alcohol from the car and played pool to pass the final evening.  It was funny as we were the only ones who were up in the lounge.  That night when we went to bed Sam and Dad were disturbed by their neighbours TV.  Dad went around to ask for it to be turned down and was rudely grumped at but in the end I think it all quietened down.
The next morning I needed to run again and Sam had been non committal so I went off along the main drive into the park by myself.  It was pretty quiet and I was listening for bears!  However, all I saw was deer in the woods.  They had a nice looking golf course with the park and on my way back the early morning golfers were starting to appear.  Breakfast was similar to dinner however at least it was a buffet so you could choose what you wanted.  We went for a walk through the woods and then down on to the lake shore.  In the woods there was an historic French Huguenot Guillebeau House that had been moved from it original location outside the park.  It had talked about in the park information and so we went to take a look.  It said that sometimes people stay there but Sam being noisy went up to the window to look in only to see there was in fact someone there!  It was quite creepy looking and not quite as any of us imagined. We all agreed we would not want to stay in it – it looked haunted!  There wasn’t really a path along the lake so it was bit of a scramble in places.  We managed to find a prefect turtle shell and breast plate that Sam picked up to take home for Thomas.
We had a gentle trip up to Atlanta for their flight out later that evening and actually stopped at Athens for some shopping.  We also decided to have lunch and took them for Mexican which I think they both enjoyed!!
There was a lot of traffic in Atlanta but fortunately we had plenty of time.  Most of the jams seemed to be caused by cars breaking down in the middle of the freeway!  Houston it is normally accidents.
So it was hard to say goodbye as it had been a really fun week seeing a lot in the some 1,500 miles we covered.  However, we all missed Mum and wished she could have been there as well.
States driven through: Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina
Mileage done so far: approximately 2,500 miles
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=202562720634909943131.0004aaf80022cfadb5e45&msa=0&ll=33.838483,-82.247772&spn=0.451705,0.883026