November 5, 2022

Making our way south again. Following the foliage as it changes.

Colonial Williamsburg for a week. We stopped here in the spring about 3+ years ago and thought it was worth another visit. Trade shops demonstrate and discuss their trade all day long. Of course, that is right up our alley. Blacksmith, silversmith, brick making, joinery, wheelwright, gunsmith, as well as musket firing. At each place, because it is a bit of the off season, we were able to have interesting conversations with the masters and apprentices. At Colonial Williamsburg, people actually apprentice the old fashioned way- 7 years to learn the trade, demonstrating proficiency along the way. Many tradespeople have been there for years and decades.

Back to Jamestown as well. There is the National Park where the Glassworks are. We had broken one of the glasses we purchased before, so replaced that one and bought a few more for the house with no wheels (Searsport). Watched glass making for a time, too. And there is a private “museum” with incredible films, displays and replicas of the three ships that came to Jamestown.

Yorktown- neither of us remembered this history lesson. Northerners are always focused on Paul Revere and Lexington and Concord. But what ended the Revolutionary War? The Seige of Yorktown in the fall of 1781 was the last land battle. The Contintental Army forced the British to surrender after 3 weeks, 8300 soldiers. The Treat of Paris was signed in the fall of 1783.

Elkin, NC is a small town much like our towns in Maine. We play pickleball with a great group, even stay at a campground owned by one of the players. Nice walking trails, friendly people and a few good restaurants.

Then bouncing around the boudaries between South Carolina and Geogia. Lake Hartwell and Lake Greenwood- good pickleball, friendly people and for the most part quiet. Have to make a stop at our favorite Pecan store in Ninety Six, SC.

Hartwell has a very nice, small botanical garden- and flowers were in bloom! Gardenias, especially. A real treat! Lots of flower photos below!

We have had a few too many visitors though, at one campground….a couple thousand, or maybe a million. Tiny, tiny ANTS! After a rainstorm, an ant colony was washed out and they decided to move in with us…any which way they could. Two feet of the entry steps, 6 ground jacks, 4 tires, a power cord and a water hose. No matter which way we treated- soapy water works quite well- they found another path. We found the original colony, or at least one of them, and treated it with ant spray. Also treated anything touching the ground. And they all went for higher ground- up, up and up towards the ceiling; who knows why. Every time we thought we had them under control…

Tallulah Gorge- 310 stair steps down, plus flatforms to a suspension bridge over the gorge, THEN, of course, 310 stair steps back up- and the up is always harder, but it was worth it. Although by the looks of some trekkers, they were not having a good time! This gorge is 1000 ft. deep and has 6 sets of water falls. A 1.5 mile hike, which is 3 miles round trip, takes you to several overlooks and back again.