WE MISSED MULE DAYS! (Mark)

I am sorry, Joe (and you know who you are). 

We went through Benson, NC one day too early; Mule Days starts on Thursday the 22nd, and we went through on Wednesday. This festival began in 1949, and has grown over the past 70 years.  30,000 spectators are expected this year.  We did see some of the early birds setting up in Chambers Park, and some folks grooming and walking mules near the trailers, but we will miss the mule parade and competitions this year.

We spent the day on roads like this.  We were able to avoid the freeways until the last few miles on the way back to our trailer in the Raleigh campground.  Cheri had the road atlas on her lap and we navigated through the little towns connected by two lane roads, the "Blue Highways."  When we did arrive back at the trailer we were hoping the cats would recognize us after being gone all day. 

I do not think the cats, or Cheri would appreciate if I told them we were downsizing to this little rig we saw:

I am more minimalist than Cheri, but even I would want a little more space than the WinneBarGo would provide.

When I am driving and Cheri is doing the navigating, I have developed an appreciation for good signage.  The owners of this quilt shop on the highway just out of Bunn, NC (population 327) have done a great job on the side of the building!  And yes, Cheri did go inside.

I need to start a file for the old drug store neon signs still in use.  I love these bits of history.

Had a wonderful day driving the back roads and seeing little pieces of history going by the window. 

Now I need to do some research on the Zebulon Mudcats, an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.  We went by the stadium today…