N.C. Fall 2016-- Day 2: Zanesville, Ohio, to Goldsboro, N.C.

Monday, September 19

Drove on the old National Road/ US-40 from Zanesville to Cambridge, then I-77 south through West Virginia to Virginia.  Stopped at the Virginia Welcome Center for my Virginia peanut fix and Wytheville for gas and my Chocolate/Blueberry Ugly fix.

U.S.-421 from Winston-Salem to I-40 at Greensboro.  Made it through the Raleigh-Durham Sytangler on I-40 with no problems.  Then, US-70 to Goldsboro.

Met Bob at Mom's house then Julie arrived.  We ate at Pizza Inn and spent the rest of the night sorting through Mom's stuff.  I mainly concentrated on books.

--RoadDog

N.C. Spring Trip 2016-- Part 2: A Scary Drive Down the Mountain But Soothed With the 'Cue

APRIL 30, SATURDAY

Listening to the CD by the Brothers Osborne called Pawn Shop, a country band with a rock sound.

Took I-70 from Springfield through Columbus to US-33 on the east side and then southeast to West Virginia. Made my usual stop for gas at Dogpatch Crossing.  Gas everywhere in Ohio was $2.30 to $2.35. gas at the Crossing was $2.35.  I stocked up on my Grippo's caramel corn.  I am told there are no places in the area that sell Grippo's products and that it is out of Cincinnati.

Then I-77 in W.Va. to the Virginia Welcome center for my Virginia peanut fix and gas at Wytheville, Virginia for $1.96.   Best price yet.  Had major fog and mighty scary coming down I-77 the last eight miles to N.C..

Stopped at Hursey's Barbecue in Graham, N.C. for some of their great 'cue.

Then US-421 to I-40 through the Raleigh-Durham terror, US-70 to Goldsboro.

--RoadDog

YOU'RE OLD IF YOU REMEMBER: When nearly everyone's mom was at home when the kids came back from school.

T-Giving 2015-- Day 2: Gas Gouge and Fun and Games With Traffic

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25

However, traffic continued to get heavier the whole way through West Virginia and Virginia on I-77.  Usually, the cheapest gas I get the whole trip is in Wytheville, Virginia, and I always wait until I get there to fill the tank.  Gas in Ohio was $1.85.  It was $1.86 there.  (I had gotten gas in Crawfordsville, Indiana, yesterday for $1.66.)  But, of course that was before the twenty cent gas gouge we had between then and today.

However, mind you I am not complaining about these gas prices after the prices of driving anywhere the last several years.

Driving down that eight mile grade going into North Carolina was essentially solid traffic and not much fun at all.

I didn't make my usual stop in Andy Griffith's hometown of Mt. Airy, North Carolina, figuring that traffic was only going to get worse.

--RoadDog

T-Giving 2015-- Day 2

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH.

Had a good breakfast at the Days Inn (hot oatmeal and cheese omelet) and hit the road.  Sadly, I should have bought gas last night when it was $1.66 on our side of I-70.  This morning the price was up to $1.90.  Thanksgiving driving, you know.

Easy ride through to Columbus, Ohio, and even got through the it with no problem, even though it was still rush hour.  Took US-33 through Athens, Ohio, home of Ohio University.  I was polite, even though they were the ones who beat us last night.  Had we won, we would have been in the MAC championship game in Detroit on December 4th aqgainst Bowling Green.

Then, I-77 through West Virginia where the traffic picked up quite a bit.  We had a huge backup at the first toll booths on the West Virginia Turnpike but after that that, the other two tolls weren't bad.  I got off at the Virginia welcome center and got my usual sample of Virginia peanuts.  These are the best peanuts in the world in my humble opinion.  This is always a necessary stop for me.

--RoadDog

N.C. Summer 2015 Trip-- Part 2: Another Day Driving, Grazing and Shopping

July 21, Tuesday

Took the road from the LaQuinta 6.7 miles south to US-33 and then that to West Virginia.  Only 4 stoplights and speed limits at least 55 mph and as high as 70 on the limited access stretches.  There are even two rest areas on this stretch, something you don't often see on US highways.

Stopped at Dogpatch Crossing for gas.

Then I took I-77 to Charleston after which it turned into the West Virginia Turnpike and into Virginia.  Made my usual stop at the Virginia Welcome Center for my peanut fix.  Then a fill up at the cheapest gas place on the trip, Wytheville, Virginia, where gas was $2.36, cheapest of the trip.

On into N.C. and a stop at Mt. Airy where I was too late for that porkchop sandwich, but did manage to graze at Golden Corral.  Back to I-74/US-52 to Winston-Salem then US-421 to I-40.  Unfortunately I hit the Raleigh-Durham area right in the midst of rush hour, never a good thing, but not as bad as it could have been.  Then got on US-70 east to Goldsboro.

I stopped at J-Rs and thought I would get out of there without buying anything until I happened upon the Christmas store section.  Also stopped at a Wal-Mart to stock up on my CheerWine, a N.C. favorite.

Arrived at Mom's and found out that my brother Bob had caught an opossum in his basement.  Later, he called to say he had caught another one.

One Possum, Two Possum.  --RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  BAR CODE--  Them's the fight'n rules down da local tavern.

Spring Hasn't Sprung-- Part 2: March 24th

MARCH 24TH, 2014: Slept in considerably longer than I wanted to, but once on the road drove a few miles south and picked up US-33 and took it to I-77. Stopped at newly bypassed by US-33 Nelsonville for one of those great Burger King Rib Sandwiches and then went to the Wayne National Forest museum and headquarters.

 Missed a turnoff at some point and ended up on Ohio-124 running along beside the Ohio River through Racine before getting back on US-33 and on to I-77 in West Virginia.

Paid my three $2 tolls on the West Virginia Turnpike and stopped at Tamarack, a place anyone on the turnpike should visit. Got gas at Wytheville, Virginia, always the cheapest on the trip for $3.10!!! Bit, I'm angry that Big Oil has gotten me to think that $3.10 is a great deal. Curse you BO!!!

Drove to Mt. Airy, NC, and got a room at the Mayberry Motor Inn and did some grazing at Golden Corral. They sure close down downtown Mt. Airy, Andy Griffith's hometown and the basis for Mayberry, after 5 PM. //// --RoadDog

NC Bound Fall 2013: September 7th-- Part 2: Athens and the Deer

Drove I-70 to US-33 and took that to Athens, Ohio. It is four lane and limited access much of the way other than a short stretch through downtown Nelsonville. That too will soon be bypassed.

Took a ride through Athens, a very hilly town and home of MAC member Ohio University. There was going to be a football game later, but it being just 10:00, decided not to stick around.

Crossed over ointo West Virginia near Ripley and got on I-77 for the rest of today's driving. Paid my $6 (three $2 tolls) to drive the turnpike and was somewhat scared when the vehicle that had just passed me struck a deer. Stopped at Tamarack with all that neat stuff.

--RoadDog

NC Spring 2013 Trip: March 20th-- Rock Slide

Turns out I was just about seven miles from US-33, so got there quickly.  Most of 33 is four lane now.  We had taken it back in the 70s, back in out always intersate days, and hated the twisting road through all those towns.

Athens, Ohio, sits off on a hill to the side of the road with a river going by it and Ohio University sitting there like a Greek town.  Impressive.

Crossed the Ohio River and picked up I-77 at Ripley just a few miles away.  Then south through Charleston, West Virginia, and that beautiful gold-domed state capitol.  Then, $6 total for three tolls on the W.V. Turnpike.

At MM 3, just north of the Virginia border, there was a rock slide that had closed  the two northbound lanes of I-77 and a traffic backup all the way back for about five miles in Virginia.  Must have just happened.

Gas at Wytheville, Virginia, usually the cheapest, was $3.47, lowest so far.  Ate at the Golden Corral in Mt. Airy, NC (Snappy Lunch closed).

Hit I-40 at 4:30, expecting the worst of that huge traffic jam, but, surprising, just a few slow-downs despite heavy traffic all the way past Raleigh.  Made it to Goldsboro, NC.

RoadDog

Heading for North Carolina: Part 10-- Ohio

September 6th, Labor Day, I left Goldsboro for home. I hadn't been on interstates during a holiday in many years. Near Raleigh-Durham Airport on I-40 I passed about six state troopers who had cars pulled over in one short stretch. That was enough to make me be very aware of my speed the rest of that day.

Took I-40 to Winston-Salem and then US-52 north past the very interesting Pilot Mountain to Mt. Airy, NC, Andy Griffith's hometown and basis for Mayberry, with visions of one of those great Snappy Lunch pork chop sandwiches (and, I was even there before their 1:30 closing time) but they were closed for the holiday (even though there were a lot of people on the streets).

I had to go to Plan B and had a Wilber's bbq dinner in the parking lot of the local McDonald's.


THE REST OF THE WAY

I got on I-77 and took it through the Virginia panhandle, getting gas at Wytheville (always one of the cheapest places to get gas (and definitely before you get to the super expensive West Virginia.

I stopped at the last rest area in West Virginia before you get to Ohio and found a stand giving out free hot dogs and coffee for Labor Day travelers. I've heard of free coffee along the interstates on holidays, but had never been to one. Mighty nice of the volunteers.

I continued into Ohio and to Cambridge where I got off and drove the National Road/US-40 to Zanesville, one of my favorite old road drives anywhere past those two S-Bridges and the Y-Bridge in Zanesville. I checked into the Super 8 on the west end of town. I've stayed there two other times. A good place to stay on this area.

Last Day Coming Up. --RoadDog


NO PUN INTENDED: Condoms should be used in every conceivable occasion.