This is our final blog for the 2021 Florida Escape trip. Early in October we had the car and RV repaired after an episode with a bollard in a gas station in MA earlier on this trip. I’m happy to report both vehicles are now repaired and look good.
Two weeks in NC
First the NC Transportation Museum
While the vehicles were being repaired, we stayed at the Cross Winds Campground in Linwood, NC which was another nice campground. Our first week we were joined by friends Barbara and Fred Berman from our old neighborhood in Sanford, NC. One of the first places we visited was the North Carolina Transportation Museum, an historic site, once home to Southern Railway’s largest steam locomotive repair facility in the southeast, and a museum featuring all types of transportation history – railroading, automotive, aviation, and more.
Historic structures include Barber Junction Depot, an authentic train station built in 1898 that serves as the museum’s Visitor Center. The Bob Julian Roundhouse is the largest remaining roundhouse in North America, and is home to locomotives, passenger rail cars, and a full-size replica Wright Flyer. The massive Back Shop, where steam locomotives were once completely overhauled, now houses rail cars of the past, antique automobiles, fire trucks, and the restoration of the Piedmont Airlines’ Potomac Pacemaker DC-3. The Flue Shop houses the museum’s Bumper to Bumper automotive exhibit. (The above information on this museum was copied from their website) They also have numerous displays for children including train rides and a visit from Thomas The Train. This is definitely worth a visit if you’re ever in the area.
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| Barber Junction Depot |
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| Carriages to Airplanes to Fire Trucks |
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| The Back Shop |
Second - Old Salem
Our next day was spent in Old Salem in Winston-Salem, NC. To borrow some more information from a website - Old Salem Museums & Gardens shares the rich, authentic, and diverse cultural history of the early South–with special emphasis on the Moravians in North Carolina, enslaved and free people of African descent, and Indigenous peoples of the Southern Woodland, through the preservation and interpretation of material culture, architecture, and cultural landscapes.
Unfortunately, many of their displays were closed due to Covid 19, however some were open and most were going to open starting later in October. The best way to describe Old Salem is to say it reminded us of Williamsburg, VA but on a somewhat smaller scale. Some structures are private while others provide re-enactors who give talks about what the buildings were used for. This is another really nice day trip if you are in the area.
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| Original Krispy Kreme Donut Shop Founded July 1937 |
Third - Toys, Dolls & Miniatures
Another stop near Linwood was the NC Museum of Toys, Dolls, and Miniatures. This museum is located in a small space and is packed with displays. They have many items on display. It was difficult to walk around from fear of knocking something over. Barbara and Fred were particularly impressed with the miniature doll houses while Ray spent much of his time checking out the Lionel train display. Lalia was amazed by the collection of Barbie dolls dressed in Bob Mackie gowns.
About Time We Visit a Winery
A visit to a local winery was definitely called for since there are so many wineries in the area, and the one we selected was Childress Vineyards which is owned by the race car driver, Richard Childress. (It’s a beautiful place and obviously very successful considering that we tried to eat there for our anniversary but could not get a reservation during our time in the area. Since we could not eat at the winery, we went to a woodfired pizza place and definitely enjoyed the food.) With Barb and Fred we tried NC BBQ at a place called Lexington BBQ and we were not disappointed.
We Found Out What a Busker Is
The city of Salisbury, NC also had a walk around downtown night for The 8th Annual Buskers Bash where local entertainers display their skills and we were encouraged to vote on our favorite performer.
Mom's 95th Celebration
After our stay in Linwood, we brought the RV to the body shop in Sanford and spent another two days with friends Colleen and Charles Holder. This was a quick stop and while the RV was being repaired, we drove to MA to celebrate Lalia’s mother’s 95th birthday. We spent 4 days in Lowell, MA at Lalia’s sister’s house and it was a wonderful way to end our trip, although because of the quick turnaround we were not able to visit everyone we would have liked to visit.
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| Family who couldn't make it to the party - Taylor, (great grand daughter), Daryl Penny (Dad of Taylor, Morgan and Cameron), Chad, Blake (Taylor and Chad's son and Mom's great, great grandson) Morgan (great grand daughter). We miss Cameron and hope to see him soon. And we all miss Lil' Lynne. |
Leaving MA we drove back to Sanford, NC to pick up the RV and then we drove to our winter home in Florida, Fisherman’s Cove RV Park. The Florida Escape was done!
Our summer trip was wonderful. We spent almost 5 months visiting with our families and friends and traveling around to all the places shared in earlier postings. We are blessed to have family and friends all over the Eastern states, and this year we were able to see many of them. Thank you to everyone who we were able to visit with this summer and we look forward to seeing everyone again in the future.
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