Everyone loves my T@B !!

Everyone loves Mercedes!! Late yesterday afternoon I drove across the street (from Panera) to Earth Fare market. I was barely in the door when a couple approached me. They saw me pull in and (I suspect) followed me into the store. They travel with a large rig with slide-outs, etc., and were fascinated by my "Little Guy" (they read the license plate [reused from my earlier teardrop trailer] ). We talked for at least thirty minutes and they wished me "safe travels."

The groceries were in the T@B and refrigerator; I was leaving the parking lot. A lady waved and motioned for me to roll down the window. We were in the lanes for fifteen minutes before someone chose that route and honked for us to move. We moved to parking spaces and resumed our conversation. She (Diana) took time to "get the feel" of the T@B and jotted down relevant info. Diana departed when a woman pulled up and asked if I travel alone. "Yes. Would you like to see the trailer?" "Oh, can we?" as she let three children out of the van. I encouraged her to take the kids camping and told her there's many places nearby. She thanked me and said they want to convert "a big old bus."

What a remarkable three hours and the odometer never rolled over during my drive from Panera to Earth Fare, to K-Mart. I inquired and OK to spend the night in K-Mart parking lot. I spent $35... and now have a desired electric hot plate. (Wouldn't you know? I gave one away before I realized I "needed" it!!) I've searched Thrift Shops and couldn't find one. I believe I'll save money, and propane, by using the hot plate while I'm hooked up to electricity in RV parks.

"The Bucket List" was on sale; I didn't see the movie. When I have electricity (!!) I can watch it on my little Sony DVD player. To a degree, I'm planning to experience things on my "Wish List" this summer. ~~ I found several other sale items before asking a Manager about parking. "Yes, but be out by 10:00." I laughingly said "Definitely." (Note the time stamp; I was in Panera before 8:30.)

Before I got the laptop computer out of the trailer, before I even crossed the parking lot to Panera, a young man pulled along side and said "What a cute little trailer. Who made it? Where did you get it? How much did it cost?" I explained... and invited him to step inside. He loved my freedom to travel and not stay in hotels or motels. He had just spent $100. per night in a nearby Asheville hotel. I told him that moments before--driving out of the K-Mart parking lot--I said to myself "Caa-ching; saved at least $65.00."

I love Lake Powhatan !!

I'll repeat an oft-repeated lament: "I get lost every time I drive around Asheville!" Thursday was no exception. Frankly, I had no idea where I was!! (I planned to drive to Walmart.) When I saw an entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway, I was in familiar territory. Eventually I arrived at the Forest Service campground at Lake Powhatan. I spent several days there last August--and love it. There were many improvements over the Fall and Winter months including new, very modern restrooms and showers. Improved sites now include electricity. With my Golden Age Pass I paid $7.50 per night last year; with my Golden Age Pass I paid $15.00 per night this year. So I paid $7.50 per day so the refrigerator could keep my few groceries cold!! (Big grin.) The showers were wonderful!! Punching the little button every thirty seconds, I took twenty minute showers.

On Friday I sat at the picnic table and wrote a long letter to a cousin. Later I used a product to clean and wax the T@B. I removed the bugs that the truck wash missed! I'll be honest: It was a lazy day and I loved every minute!!

I consolidated and rearranged things in the T@B. I need to find a way to secure things so I don't open the door (after traveling) and find everything jumbled in a heap on the floor. Today I'm trying a 25 foot Bungee-type cord (purchased Thursday at Harbor Freight in Asheville). I'm looping around handles so items stay on the bed; I'm anchoring the hooks around the table. FYI: I didn't need the full 25 feet; the cord is adjustable.

All day Friday, I was reminded of the poem by Joyce Kilmer: "Trees."

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree who looks at God all day

And lifts her leafy arms to pray.

Sorry, I've forgotten the remainder of the poem (memorized decades ago [grin] in my youth). The campsite was a very worshipful setting.





























































Before I departed the campgrounds, I took care of the housekeeping chore of dumping the "just for emergencies" porta-potty. A lady, walking a dog, admired the trailer and (of course) wanted to see inside. We talked for an extended period of time; she wants to "see the country." Last: I prepared my lunch in the parking lot overlooking Lake Powhatan. Then I hiked down to the lake. Trust me, it's a long walk down to the lake!!

For the record: I've driven less than 300 miles since leaving my apartment in Shelby on Monday, April 5th.

The Census Bureau calls...

Some time ago, I applied to the Census Bureau for a job, took the test and waited for a call. I thought, perhaps, I was to remain in Shelby and a Census job was my "fleece." No call so I continued with my travel plans. Yesterday (4/16/2010) a pleasant-sounding man was asking me to come to work. Too late!! Sorry!! I'm on-the-road to new adventure. I'm spending money rather than earning it!!

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I'm in Panera Bread to update my blog and upload pictures. Everyone must love Panera because (at 1 o'clock on a Saturday afternoon) they are extremely busy!!

I love Panera Bread !!

I have spent hours in Panera Bread the last two days. Furthermore, the manager allowed me to spend the night in their parking lot. I've used their electricity for my laptop computer. I've used their electricity to charge my cell phone. Thanks to the hospitality of Panera, I was able to upload the pictures that follow. I spent hours massaging the blog "Taking time to smell the flowers" because this is as close as I will get to being an artist.

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Postscript, 3:30 PM, 82 degrees: Quoting from my handwritten notes penned earlier this afternoon. "It's 1:30 PM and I've been searching for a self-service car wash for an hour. None!! (One on every block in Shelby [big grin].) Near Hendersonville, I found a "truck wash." Expensive: $35.00!! But it was my mission to get the vehicles washed today. They are/were yellow with pollen and covered with dozens of spots with bird droppings. (The vehicles were parked in an orchard for over a week.)

"It's a beautiful day. I saw a Bank sign (at 11 o'clock) listing the temperature at 71 degrees. Even warmer now. Truck wash must be popular; a thirty minute wait. (I wonder how much they charge for great BIG rigs. Inquiring minds want to know!) 1:50 and still two trucks in front of me and now three trucks behind me. I'm sneezing and my eyes are burning because the drivers didn't turn off the engines. So many fumes! ~~ I pulled the vehicles into the large building at 2 o'clock and out at 2:30. They did a magnificent job of washing my KIA and T@B."

I'm back at Earth Fare Market after approximately 30 mile round trip regarding the vehicle wash. I ate lunch in the Earth Fare Cafe and discovered they have free WiFi. Now I have several options: McDonalds, Panera, and Earth Fare. While eating lunch... I browsed a free newspaper (Mountain Xpress). I rarely read the Horoscope but this "Freewill Astrology" caught my eye: "Pisces: In honor of the new identity you're evolving into, I hereby give you the nickname of 'Miracle Player,' or else--if you like one of these better--'Sleek Cat' or 'Giant Step' or 'Fate Whisperer.' You may hereafter also use any of the following titles to refer to yourself: 'CEO of My Own Life" or 'Self Teacher of Jubilance and Serenity' or 'Fertile Blur of Supple Strength.' Feel free, as well, to anoint your head with pure organic virgin olive oil, fashion a crown for yourself out of roses and shredded masks, and come up with a wordless sound that is a secret sign you'll give to yourself whenever you need to remember the marvelous creature you are on your way to becoming."

Antler Hill Village at Biltmore Estate

Antler Hill Village is the newest attraction at Biltmore Estate. Confession: Postcards are the only thing I can afford to buy in the gift and mercantile shops. A small salad, in Cedric's Tavern, is $8.





The farm display is very interesting (but I didn't take pictures). At the top of the hill, The Inn on Biltmore Estate. I'll continue to enjoy my little T@B teardrop trailer!!

Wonderful day!! Perfect weather!! Beautiful scenery!!

I was at the Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina, from 10 AM until 5 PM. I walked until my legs ached!! I sat down for a few minutes and then walked some more. Unfortunately, I forgot my pedometer so I can't give you statistics about how many steps--or how many miles--I walked.

I'm back in Panera Bread uploading pictures as fast as I can. It's 9:00 PM as I publish this and lots more pictures to share with you.

Taking time to smell the flowers !!

Pictures taken today at the Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed seeing everything!!

The Wisteria was so fragrant!!

The Vanderbilt's "summer retreat" (late 1800's, early 1900's).
Lorraine's "summer retreat" 2010.

Lorraine (in August 2009) at the end of that enormous "front yard."

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Postscript, 5/22/2010: The captions I could not seem to list next to the pictures.

Tulips in the formal garden.

The rose garden will be spectacular this summer!!

Azaleas will be in bloom in a couple of weeks.

A long walk through the rustic informal grounds.

See the white spot in the center of the picture? A man and lady are standing where I was standing moments earlier to take the picture of the water falls.

The view from the front entrance of the house.