2018.10.30-Sioux Falls SD to the Outer Banks of North Carolina

So it's been two months since we posted last to this BLOG.  We've had a lot of miles to cover and quite a number of things to do.  But we've had a lot of fun along the way, seen a number of good friends and for the most part thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  We're now on North Carolina's Outer Banks but will save our post on that for now because there's a lot to see and record.  This post on the other hand is to catch you up from Sioux Falls South Dakota to North Carolina.  Hope you enjoy.

We were very impressed with the falls in Sioux Falls.  We see them on TV often but didn't have an appreciation of how lovely they are.  This is after a lot of rain and flooding in the area which happened just before our arrival.

The falls are huge and very spread out for water falls.  I tried but couldn't get the entire setting into a single shot.

When traveling you stay where you can find a suitable spot and one that can support you.  This time it was the South Dakota state fair grounds in Sioux Falls.  We pulled in during a heavy rain storm, fortunately the park had a spot on pavement so we wouldn't sink up to our axles in mud.  And they had all the hook ups we needed as well.

After a couple of weeks in Madison Wisconsin to take care of some important but normal maintenance and a quick trip back to San Antonio to renew my drivers license (I sure didn't know this was the year it HAD to be face to face!) we headed south, but before we arrived at our planned stop we had to make an unscheduled stop at our motor home's factory for what turned out to be a very important repair.  If you're ever in the Chicago area driving a large Class A rig be sure to heed the "wide load" lanes in the toll booth lanes; the normal ones are too narrow.  And that's all I'll say about that; we probably won't  be driving through Chicago again anytime soon.

After Nappanee Indiana for the rig repair we stopped in central Ohio and visited with some great Amazon friends.  Thank you Sherry and Harry, Mary Beth and Paul.  Then it was on to Cincinnati Ohio to get Linda on a plane so she could enjoy a reunion with some of her high school friends.  I won't say which decade's celebration it was.  The plan was then to pick her up in the Atlanta airport and I had a fair amount of driving to do before getting to Atlanta.  This photo is from the Museum of Appalachia in Rocky Top TN just north of Knoxville, my first stop.  This was an unexpected treasure of a museum and had quite a few original but moved and reconstructed buildings from the early to mid 19th century. 

I'm told this is the actual cabin of Mark Twain's family while he was a boy.

And this one was Daniel Boone's actual cabin while he lived in Tennessee.  By the way it is much larger on the inside than it looks.

The museum wasn't all buildings but also had a large exhibit of smaller items.  Notice the large basket from white oak strips.  I'm told it took 8 months to construct.  I don't thing it was ever used.  This was an enjoyable stop.

Then it was on to Easter Tennessee to see the sights and enjoy some more good friends, Mark and Kathy.  I had to see the Bristol NASCAR Speedway.  I had no idea this venue would seat 162,000 people!  I'm so glad it wasn't race day!

Bristol also has a drag race track.  Don't forget your (serious) hearing protection if you go.  You won't be allowed in if you don't have some.

While in the area I had to see a TVA dam

the river aeration down from the dam

and the lake produced from the dam water.

Then it was on to Elizabethton and their famous covered bridge.  Afterward the three of us attended the National Storytellers Festival.  If you're planning a stop in the Jonesboro area try to schedule it at a time when they are having a 'teller' presenting which they do throughout the year or as we did attend the 2 day festival.  Very interesting and in a beautiful setting.

After eastern Tennessee I drove to Atlanta to be with family and pick up my bride from the airport.  We were able to see and enjoy almost the entire family with the exception of one nephew away at college.  After Atlanta Lady Di and I  drove Linda to the Charlotte area where we visited the historic Latta Plantation; what you are seeing is a reconstruction of the early 19th century cotton planters mansion.

I admit it after Bristol I had a little NASCAR fever I had to share with Linda.  We both enjoyed the tour of the facility including the tour including a 70 mph drive up onto the 26 degree turns!

And while on the tour of pit row we were told these "suites" were the most expensive in the house.  At ten grand a seat they were already booked several years out.

So at the moment we're on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and you're caught up.  This is a wonderful place with lots to see and will be a separate BLOG post coming out soon (promise.)  Notice our rig on the left of the buildings.  And just in case you're interested these little cottages are for rent at the Hatteras Village campground we stayed at.