June 20, 21, 22 2013
Thursday, June 20, 2013
We were up and at'em this morning at 5:45a.m.! In the service bay by 7:00. and out by 9. They touched up some of the paint that they had done in March. Went back to check out and pay for our work and then back to the campground. Regrouped a little and decided to take a motorcycle ride because it was such a beautiful day. We jumped on the motorcycle and rode towards Belmont, MS for lunch.
What a neat little place with some great food, The Belmont Café.
We both tried the cheese burgers and fries, delicious. Then Chad called with our weekly mail review and update on this and that.
After that we were back on the bike and headed to the Nachez Trace. We had gone south before but we had not gone North towards Nashville, so we were on our way.
Rode on it for 45 minutes north or so, then east, and finally south back to Red Bay. Great ride for sure, we only made two stops, one for gas and one at the county line store. Red Bay is a dry county so we had to make a pit stop before we got back in the county. Well we made it back to the campground in Red Bay and had the strangest thing happen.You won't believe this story but it was one of our highlights and most memorable experiences that we have had on our trip and it tops the list for Red Bay.
We had just gotten off the bike and had started to open up the door to put our helmets away when a gentleman pulled up in a white Cadillac. He had a few years on him, as well as the car, and a old straw hat. He rolled down his window and asked if we liked old things. I responded with yes and with that he invited us to visit his old gas station. I told him to give us about 15 minutes and we would be by. Robin said, what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I said it will be alright and what else are we going to to do this afternoon. It was about 3 pm and we headed to his place. Well, I can't give a lot of details about the location because it is a jewel in the rough for sure. We were looking for what we thought he had described but we had it wrong, it was a replica of an old filling station behind his house. Of course we both looked at each other and said what are we doing. But I will tell you again this was an awesome experience.
He met us at the door and said come on in and offered us a seat at the checker table and began to share his stories.
He shared that he was on a camping trip out in California and a couple had befriended him in a strange place so he knew he was going to do the same when he got back to Red Bay and has done it since he built this station in 1992. After he built it he began to fill it with all kind of items that he had collected since the 50's. It was unbelievable listening to these fascinating stories of certain items that he had purchased, you know the where and why. Just look at the pictures.
An original, never been hung before he purchased it, porcelain sign.
An antique jack used on buggies.
And then he showed us the two 1926 Fords.
It started to rain so we sat some more and he shared some more. He told us that he had served in WWII, worked for his father in land development, and then became a guidance counselor and teacher. After it finished raining he wanted to show a couple more things in another garage behind the filling station, but he did not want Robin to mess up her shoes so she got the special treatment.
Well look what was in the garage, awesome, a 29 and 30 Ford.
So we sat on the work stools and heard about the Chevy that he is restoring. Miss Irene as he called it belonged to his third grade teacher.
After that he said he wanted to show us what defines the meaning of being at the "Right place at the Right time. He had looked for a 57 Chevy for most of his life and couldn't find one until just a few years ago he was at a car show and saw this sweet looking one, but saw another man talking to the owner so he backed off. After the potential buyer left he approached the man and asked if the car was for sale. The owner said the other gentleman had to go and ask his wife so it was still for sale. He named his price and the guy took a $500 dollar deposit and the deal was done. He said he got it for a great price because the owner was dying and was getting his affairs in order and needed to get rid of it. The right place at the right time. Look at this mint condition car.
He then invited us in to meet his wife who was from Germany, and then another pride and joy. It was a Gulf gas pump in mint and original condition.
A few more items in the house were shared along with a story or two. Well began to say our good byes and exchanged information and I gave him one of my corn hole business cards and then he told us about a game he used to play with metal washers many years ago. He said the washers were in abundance because they came off the buggies back in the day. He took us back down to the garage and found about twenty of them and handed them to me and explained the game. He asked if I had any use for them and I told him I would try and make the washer game for sure. I then asked him if I could give him something and his response was simply, a "thank you is usually good enough for me". Of course I thanked him for the washers as well as the hospitality. We told him if we come back to Red Bay, and I am sure we will, we would go out to dinner to listen and share some more stories. I bet we were there two and a half hours and enjoyed every minute.
Back at the campground and it was dinner, TV, blog, and bed because we were headed to Birmingham the next day.
Friday, June 21 2013
Can you believe it, its three months today since we left Mechanicsville. Off to Birmingham to see my nephew Bryan and my brother, Butch and his wife, Pat. It's about a 2 hour drive so we left about 9 and arrived around 11 and visited a little bit before the four of us went to lunch while Bryan rested. It was right in the bottom of the apartment complex. It was called ROJO's and served sandwiches.
After lunch we went back up stairs and visited and showed pictures and videos to everyone. Bryan wanted to take a walk so we did and then jumped in the car and toured around a little. Soon it was time for an early dinner and then ice cream for dessert. A few more pictures then it was off to Red Bay. Also, was glad to get to see Trina for a little bit, Bryans girlfriend.
Saturday, June 22 2013
Yea!!!! We're up and leaving Red Bay this morning. While Dennis started packing up the bicycles and motorcycle I went to the grocery store and purchased a few items we needed for the trip home. Yes, can you imagine it is time to head home. We headed towards Chattanooga, most specifically Sweetwater TN. There is a cheese farm that I want to stop at but when we got to the campground we found out we were too late to go today and its closed on Sunday. Shoot! After dinner we took a walk around the campground and saw a pond. Dennis said get your fishing rod so we did.
You won't believe it if we told you, we both caught a fish. It was a catch and release but it was all we could do not sneak these big boys into the frying pan.
A little news and off to bed. Exhausted from hauling and fighting the fish for sure. Night, Night
Robin & Dennis
