NC/SC TRIP REPORT

[williamlayton]

The Hen and I got back yesterdayfrom running the ridges.
Had a blast--and it was not of hot air. Temps in the high 60's in the mountains--on top of the Blue Ridge it was as low as 58.
Top down--winding roads and a new Mustang drop top---it was fun.

Now the part of the story you don't want to hear.
Stayed at a nice Hyatt in Savannah--well there was some drug dealing going on.
I woke to noise about 1am--looked out the window. Three guys standing around the car talking about it---just a few feet from me too the car---and another doing a deal with a car in the lot.
Got a towel, a cup of coffee, and a chair from the pool area. Drug the chair around to where my car was parked, set the coffee down, folded the towel in my lap and laid the Commander on the towel. The boys looked at me and I said--"Hope I aint hurtin your business!"
They just kinda faded off into the units.
I sat there for an hour and went back inside and told my wife it was time for us too leave.
She said it was too early.
I said no it was not and we left.

The trip was good and I had some good NC BBQ and we had fun.
Blessings

[Land_Owner]

William, I CERTAINLY HOPE that wasn't the highlight of your trip.  You have a weathered-eye to see the GOOD in life.  No harm no foul...and you can't change a place as a one man Army.   Let the gray time go. 

[myronman3]

you are a good man, william.  and you have good sense to skate when you did.   stand your ground when you have to, get when it is safe and prudent to do so.     glad you had a safe trip.   

[rockbilly]

William, you can get that kind of action without driving all the way to NC/SC.  My wife bought a new Lexus, since there is no local dealer she purchased it in Ft. Worth, we have to take it back there for service (they pay our gas and put us up in a motel at their expense). On Friday night at about 9PM we arrived at the !-35 Hamption Inn  off Cherry St, I parked in front of the room and we went in, my wife asked me to get some things out of the trunk of the car, as I went out I remembered I had left my pistol in the pocket on the drivers door, I opened the door, reached in and stuck the pistol under my belt, I then hit the remote trunk opener and started toward the rear to get the things I was sent for.  As I neared the rear of the car three individuals appeared on the other side, one asked, "Hey, hunky where did you get the car."  I knew riight away that things wasn't looking good but I replyed, "It's my wife's car."  He then spouted off and said we might take it.  I pulled the gun and informed him that someone was about to be shot if they tried.  When the gun appeared they quickly and quitely left the area.  I went back to the room and notified the desk clerk, she said we have OSI Security I will call them to come and check on the situation.  About 15 minutes later I looked out in the parking lot to see two Ft. Worth Cop cars and an OSI Security car, there were three black guys with hands cuffed behind them being placed in the cop cars.  I walked out and talked to the OSI guy, he said they were drug dealers, had already robbed another motel guest and broke into several cars, said If I had not had the gun they may have tried to take the car.  The Ft. Worth police knew I pulled the gun but never mentioned, requested to see it,  or asked for any kind of a statement from me.  I never did find out what happen to them.

I agree, it's nice in that part of the country, I love to go to NC and search for gem stones, I have found some nice (but small) emerals there.  I also found rubies, topaz and several other semi-precious stones.  On one trip we panned several pennyweights of gold out of a stream before we found we were on private property and asked to leave.  Maybe I can get back that way this fall.

[williamlayton]

The trip was goodgoodgood. They didn't ruin anything--nor did the three detours we had to make coming home. Wrecks blocked the freeway at Baton Rouge, Vidor and Beaumont--cost us about two hours taking detours. Some of those folks might still be on the freeway at Beaumont.
When we got to SC out of Atlanta we put the top down, took to state and county roads up too the Ashville area. Roads got windingand the temps dropped into the 70's as we drove.
Stayed off the freeways all thru NC--winding roads and cut-backs--40mph and good scenery.
The Hen made the comment--after getting home--that the Mustang rode every bit as comfortable as the Expedition. Ford has some good cars.
It was interesting--the Mustang has Perilli (sp) tires and I got a low tire pressure warning early on in the trip--just as we got on I10 in Baytown. Checked the tires and they looked good. It was about 4AMand I drove on with this pressure light until I got to LaFayette and found a Ford dealership open.
The right rear had a nail and was operating on 10lbs of pressure.
Shop guy repaired the tire--OKed it as good and I have 2000 miles on that tire now--with no signs of damage.
Satan can put all kinds of things in your way to cause distress but the Lord provides a way that is unknowing.
Blessings

[slim rem 7]

he sure does brother.. yesterday my wife went to comfort care in the nursing home shes in..that means they just try an keep her compfortable until the end..no more attempts at rehabilitation etc..
 me an god had a special talk last night.. i know god can cause karry to be made well even now..if so i promised to witness an tell her story every chance i got.. but its his will be done..he always knows best.. slim slim

[Land_Owner]

Slim, Our prayers are with your Karry for peace in mind and spirit.

[williamlayton]

Slim
Your a good man. The Lord is on ya'lls side--remember that when the low's come on you.
Much prayer, many praise the Lord and
Blessings

[littlecanoe]

Hello WL,

Sounds like an awesome trip.  Grandfather Mountain and the area around Boone, NC is pretty awesome for scenery.  Lived around Savannah for several years.  Lots of great things to see but.......Drugs around the down town area are bad.  Lot's of little project housing there.  When I was on the FD for the city of Sav I was at an old station in the victorian district that they called the Sub.  Submarine.  When darkness came you went under and didn't come up until daylight except for a run.

Glad you and the missus are safe and had a great time!
God's Blessings,
Steve

[charles p]

Should have stayed in the Carolina's.  Bet your last dollar it wasn't in the 60's in Savanna GA.  Did you spend anytime around Asheville?  Did you tour the Biltmore House?

[williamlayton]

Two days inFlat rockand one day in Boone.
I don't tour houses--I came too see the area and see the people.
It is my third trip on the Blue Ridge. I like the drive and it is cool. We spent much of the time driving a number of state roads--down the French Broad and other roads.
Had some good BBQ and liked the little towns we stopped in.
Boone was particularly fun--well the area around Boone--some great views.
We will go again--it is an easy two day trip and the weather is good.
Savannah was not dissapointing--the little episode at the motel was just a minor bump (thank God).
Those gangsta's were fairly shocked when I sat down and flicked the safety off--even the one that had a piece not too well hidden in the small of his back.
Luckily they assesed the situation correctly---I'm gettin too old for these boys and games.
The tire mishap was pleasant thing--it was good too see some of this technology working as advetised.
I love driving vacations.
Blessings

[Land_Owner]

William, you're a better man than me.  I do not especially enjoy driving vacations.  Yes, I enjoy seeing America, but the IDIOTS driving the highway, and one of them is me, are my undoing.

[williamlayton]

Land Owner
If we all fell in love--well, you know.
I like off the FWY driving, in areas which have good scenery.
The fwy's are where most of the traffic is.
It took me an hour too go over too Black Moutain on the old state road--could have been there in 30 minutes by way of the four lane.
Blessings