Finding Small-Town America - Mount Airy, NC

There's a certain stereotype to small-town America, and it's no coincidence that it looks a lot like Mount Airy, North Carolina. Small shops. Old-timey buildings. Locals greeting each other on the streets. Vintage and knickknack shops sandwiched between local food joints!

Ready, Set, WEEKEND

I think most of us can agree that there are few things better than the weekend, especially a weekend with a planned getaway!

There have been very few hints dropped about our destination and plans as the details have been a surprise gift for my hubby's birthday. But that man is particularly good at squirreling information out of me, and the cat was let out of the bag last night...

Source.

Mount Airy, North Carolina. Also known as Mayberry U.S.A. due to its role as inspiration for the town of the same name in the iconic Andy Griffith Show. Danny and I have wanted to visit this place for a long time, but we never made the time for it in lieu of visiting more far-off destinations. There's no better reason than for a birthday nor a time better than now to enjoy a town so family-friendly and focused on preserving the slower-paced life of bygone times. It's time to enjoy small-town U.S.A.!

What are your plans for February?

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The Midnight Ride of Jack Jouett

Listen, my children, and you will hear
Of the midnight ride of -- Jack Jouett?

It's the most famous, unheard-of ride in American history: How the young and handsome Jack Jouett out-rode British dragoons in the dark of night in 1781, covering 40 miles through thickly wooded trails in just over six hours. He successfully warned Thomas Jefferson and members of the Virginia legislature holed up at Monticello with his own shouts of "The British are coming! The British are coming!", thus saving the legislative body from capture in toto.

Talk about bad-ass!

But thanks to Longfellow, most Americans are familiar with Paul Revere's famous ride from Boston to Lexington in 1775, but have never even heard of Jack with the strangely-spelled last name (Jouett: pronounced "Jew-ett") from Virginia whose ride arguably played a bigger role and had a larger impact on the outcome of the American Revolution than his northern counterpart.

But Monticello wants to change all that with their annual "British Invasion Days," which debuted this year with a reenactment of Jack Jouett's ride, the arrival of British cavalry, musket and cannon demonstrations, and a walk-through of a militia camp - all hosted on the beautiful and historic grounds of Thomas Jefferson's home.

For just $15 per adult (or $25 if you'd like to tour the house, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and well worth the admission), take yourself back to 1781 and learn about Jack Jouett's midnight ride!

Read more details here.

Hearken good people: awhile abide

And hear of stout Jack Jouett's ride;

How he rushed his steed, nor stopped nor stayed

Till he warned the people of Tarleton's raid.

The moment his warning note was rehearsed

The State Assembly was quickly dispersed.

In their haste to escape, they did not stop

Until they had crossed the mountain top.

And upon the other side come down.

To resume their sessions in Staunton Town.

His parting steed he spurred,

In haste to carry the warning

To that greatest statesman of any age,

The Immortal Monticello Sage.

Here goes to thee, Jack Jouett!

Lord keep thy memory green;

You made the greatest ride, sir,

That ever yet was seen.

Travel With Kids Tips:

The visitor center and cafe are located at the bottom of the hill near the parking lot. Currently, there are no options to buy meals on top of the mountain, so be sure you have full bellies before taking the shuttle to Monticello. There are restrooms up top, however. Beyond standing in a bathroom stall, there is no privacy for nursing mothers unless you fancy wandering into the woods and sitting beneath a tree. Strollers are permitted in the house, but if you're visiting on a busy day, a staff member would be more than willing to push it through to the back of the house where you can collect it upon exiting.

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Remember the Alamo

Few words resonate so strongly in American history textbooks the way "Remember the Alamo!" does.  Even international visitors largely unfamiliar with United States history have a vague idea about the events and choose to visit this small mission in San Antonio, Texas, to get a glimpse of the fabric that has made Texas -- and in large part, the United States -- so great.  But what exactly are we supposed to be remembering about the Alamo?  What happened there, and what events led up to this defeat which has been transformed into a rallying point?

The story of the Texas Revolution and subsequent annexation into the United States encompasses over ten years, but can be condensed into a few key events leading up to and after the Battle of the Alamo:

• In October 1835, the colonists of Texas, which at that time was Mexico's northernmost province, rebelled against the increasingly centralist Mexican government.  At this juncture, the ultimate goal was unclear as popular sentiment was divided between seeking independence or reinstating the Mexican Constitution of 1824.  However, within two months, all Mexican troops were withdrawn from or driven out of Texas, and it seemed clear that Texas would declare its independence. 
• In February 1836, Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna marched into Texas and caught Texans unprepared.  In March, Texas declared itself independent, but the newly-formed army under Sam Houston was pushed back towards the border with Louisiana in the face of Santa Anna's army.  It is during this time that the Battle of the Alamo occurred.
• In just twenty minutes and at the cost of only 9 Texan casualties, Sam Houston routed Santa Anna in a surprise attack on the Mexican army's vanguard at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.  Santa Anna himself was captured, and his ransom included a promise to lobby for Texas' independence in the Mexican government.  It was at this battle that the cries of "Remember the Alamo!" and "Remember Goliad!" became a rallying point of Texan history.
• Despite Santa Anna's ransom agreement, Mexico refused to recognize Texan sovereignty, and when Texas agreed to be annexed into the United States in 1845, the Mexican-American war erupted, lasting until 1848.

The events of the Battle of the Alamo itself can be characterized into two parts: the siege and minor skirmishes for the first 12 days, and the full-blown assault and capture of the Alamo on the 13th day.  Although romanticized in films such as Disney's Davy Crockett or John Wayne's The Alamo, the hand-to-hand assault and combat of March 6, 1836, was far from romantic.  Many of the Texans were killed by bayonet wounds, which is neither a swift nor preferable way to die.  One Texan was bayoneted in front of the women and children survivors hiding in the sacristy of the complex.

Although the Battle of the Alamo was just a small occurrence in the overall strategy of the conflicts, it is arguably the most memorable.  There is the tragic romance of a few hundred Texans staving off over 1,500 Mexican soldiers for 13 days.  Then there is the celebrity appeal of such well-known names as Davy Crockett, James Bowie, and William Travis, all dying at the Alamo.  And then there is the historic appeal -- it became a rallying point for the Texas revolution and ultimately has become representative of the insatiable thirst for personal liberties and independence which has resulted in this country we live in.  And this is what we should recall when we remember the Alamo.

Have you visited the Alamo?

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Linking up with Bonnie Rose, Amanda, Caity, Marcella, and Michelle for #TravelTuesday!

"Our State Fair is the Best State Fair!"

"... Don't miss it! Don't even be late!"

These lyrics from Rodgers and Hammerstein's State Fair musical always weasel their way into my thoughts whenever I visit the State Fair of Virginia.  This year we actually were "late" to the fair as we did not visit until the very last day of its 2014 session.  But better late than not at all - and it was a gorgeous day at the fairgrounds!

Virginia's State Fair is held at the Meadow Event Park (you horse lovers ought to recognize it as being the farm where Triple Crown winner Secretariat was born and raised) just north of Richmond in Doswell.  A successful state fair experience requires only three ingredients: good weather, lots of carnival food and rides, and plenty of farm animals.  With hardly a cloud in the sky, sated with elephant ears and gyros, and more bunnies than hands to pet them with, our state fair experience was definitely a success!

We began our day with free samples of Virginia peanuts as we munched our way through the vendors and craft competition exhibits in the main event hall.  I was especially taken by the intricate quilt work and loved the second-place quilt featuring iconic symbols of France.  It certainly stirred up my travel fever again!

From belt buckles to bathroom remodeling vendors to political campaign tables and everything in between, there were plenty of temptations to lighten your wallet in that exhibit hall!

Next we satisfied our stomachs with some carnie food.  Throw your diets out the window!  From fried Oreos (or candy bars) to cotton candy to turkey legs, you have your pick of gastronomical poisons delights.  We chose a gyro, the Greek version of our beloved döners from Europe, as our lunch.  At the hefty price of $9 a piece, it was far from thrifty, but we were more than satisfied at how delicious and filling they were.

After lunch we checked out Rosaire's Royal Racers - a traveling show from Sarasota, Florida, featuring some fast (and not so fast!) racing pigs.  Even the most dour-faced person couldn't help but crack a smile over the pigs' names: Shake'n'Bacon, Miley Swine-us, Britney Spare-ribs, and Lindsay LoHam being chief among my favorites.  The first two heats of racers went by rather quickly, but the crowd favorite turned out to be the last one between the Asian Potbelly pigs.  While the first two races took less than 20 seconds, the potbelly race took several minutes as these 300 pound animals meandered lazily around the track!

From the racing pigs, we walked through all the carnival rides (choosing to abstain from trying any this time) and on to the animal tent.  Baby chicks, tiny ducklings, and three day old calves could all be found under one giant tent to make your "coos" and "awes" easy to do in one place.  Farm equipment, antique tractors, and the rabbit, pigeons, and chicken tents were all close by.  This year's pumpkin competition entries were also in the cow's tent, and the largest pumpkin set a state fair record at a whopping 1,203.2 pounds!

After a solid five hours at the fairgrounds, we were ready to call it a day.  The State Fair never seems to disappoint, and today’s experience was no exception.

Have you been to your state’s fair?  What’s your favorite part?

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Linking up with other travel bloggers on the #SundayTraveler!

Redneck Yacht Club (Tubing the James)

Floating the James

"Bass trackers, bayliners, and a party barge
strung together like a floatin' trailer park
anchored out and gettin' loud all summer long!"
- Craig Morgan, "Redneck Yacht Club"

*** 
One of my favorite summer pastimes needs only three ingredients: a river, a tube, and some ice-cold brews.  For a truly American experience, there's nothing quite like hitting the closest river for a few hours of tubing down stream with your closest friends!

James River watershed map from
Wikipedia.

Here in Virginia there are a number of rivers perfect for spending an afternoon or day out in the sun.  We live within fifteen minutes of the James River, roughly at the halfway mark of the river's length, which originates in the Appalachian mountains of Alleghany county and ends in the Chesapeake Bay at Hampton Roads.  At "our portion" of the James, the river is anywhere from 100 to 150 yards wide and averages three to ten feet deep.  Catfish, bass, and muskies can be caught, and many different types of birds and snakes can be seen along the banks.  On one of our tubing trips, we were aiming to land on an island that turned out to have a particularly long serpent just hanging out at the water's edge!  You would've been impressed at how quickly we back-paddled!

Map created by GoogleMaps

We start our river-runs at Cartersville landing and land at West View on the James, a distance of about five miles.  When the river is high, the float lasts only 2 to 3 hours, but when the river is at normal or low levels, it can take anywhere from 4 to 5.5 hours.  It's a very flat section of the river with one minor riffle (hardly anything to write home about).  The scenery features the beautiful woodlands of Goochland county on the north bank and Cumberland/Powhatan on the south.  Since this particular section of the river is so close to home, we float it on a regular basis, armed with an armada of single tubes, "floating couches," and john boats all strung together.  This year we've added a separate cooler float so we can pack lunches (and more beverages!) to attempt even longer distances!

The water is finally warming up enough for a float trip, and I hope we can squeeze in at least one or two runs this month before we leave for Germany!

Have you gone tubing before?  What's been your favorite experience?

Linking up with Esther and Jacob for Local Adventurer!

It's #TravelTuesday!  Today I'm linking up with Bonnie, Van, and other travel bloggers to share experiences!

EDIT:  If you do take beverages out on the river, avoid taking any glass, DO NOT LITTER, and practice moderation!  Public drunkenness is a ticketable offense in Virginia!

The American Experience: NASCAR at RIR

"Gentlemen, start your engines...!!!"

On Friday I posited that it doesn't get much more stereotypically-American than experiencing a NASCAR race in all its glory and I still stand by that statement!  You'll get your fill of down-home, blue-blooded, patriotically cheerful people and atmosphere at a NASCAR race.  We came, we saw, we conquered - and then we spent all day Sunday recovering from the sunburn, walking, and headache from the roar of the cars.  But it was worth the price of admission.

Party hearty, folks!
(C) Thrifty Gypsy

When we arrived at 8:40a at Richmond International Raceway, I was shocked to see how many people were already there!  NASCAR fans are hard-core pros when it comes to their tailgating.  Come early, hit it hard, and stay late.  And their site set-ups were impressive: canopies, chairs, shirts, and corn-hole gear were all decked-out in their favorite driver's numbers and colors.  Although you will see representatives of all types at a race, you'll primarily see the good ol' boys and girls of the Southern stereotype, and country music is the anthem of the day.

The atmosphere is exciting; I mean, who wouldn't want to camp out in a huge field all day with 6,000 of your new best friends to soak up the sunshine and wash down some brats with a cold brew?!

The Master Chef
(c) Thrifty Gypsy

For being such relative newbs to the NASCAR tailgating scene, I was impressed that our group came together and had all the comforts required.  We even started out our day by cooking a deluxe eggs and bacon breakfast!  So long as you remember the five basics of tailgating (Beer, Burgers, Chairs, Canopy, and Radio) you'll be good to go.  Sunscreen and hearing protection are good additions, too!

I can't say that Saturday turned me into a die-hard NASCAR fan, but attending a race is much more enjoyable than watching it on tv.  And I can't rule out another NASCAR race in the future!  Here are some of my favorite pictures from the day:

Tailgatin' ...like a boss!
(C) Thrifty Gypsy

The Ladies
(c) Thrifty Gypsy

Jeff Gordon's ride
(c) Thrifty Gypsy

Don't tell Jimmie Johnson, but this is MY new ride now...
(c) Thrifty Gypsy

I suddenly developed a craving for M&Ms...
(c) Thrifty Gypsy

Making a Grand Old Flag kind of entrance
(c) Thrifty Gypsy

The flyover
(c) Thrifty Gypsy

"I wanna go FAST!!!" (c) Thrifty Gypsy

(c) Thrifty Gypsy

(c) Thrifty Gypsy

The Grand Finale
(c) Thrifty Gypsy

So have I convinced you yet?  What do you think about NASCAR?  Do you have a favorite driver?

~ Just a Thrifty Gypsy

A NASCAR Newb No More

Doesn't that just scream "America"?! (Source)

Apple pie.  Baseball.  Popping off tin cans with a rifle on a Sunday afternoon.  Riding in a jacked-up truck with country music blasting from the speakers.  These are quintessential American experiences often referenced, "humorized" and stereotyped through movies and pop culture here in the U.S. and abroad.  But just as American, particularly southern American, is the experience of attending a NASCAR Sprint Cup race!

Although I've spent the last twenty years living in Virginia, the gateway to America's southern states, I have yet to attend a NASCAR race.  I love sports, but I've never been taken by NASCAR.  There's only so many times you can watch a car run around a huge circle before you tire of it (pun fully intended).  I can agree with my mom's fond testament that "some of my best naps were experienced with a NASCAR race running on tv for background noise."

Even so, I've always wanted to experience a NASCAR race as it's such a big part of culture in my neck of the woods.  The fun of the tailgating, getting pit passes to meet the drivers, and the thunder and shaking of the ground as the cars speed by.

So, I'll be attending my first (and probably only!) NASCAR Sprint Cup as they race under the lights at Richmond International Raceway tomorrow night!

Source

We're doing the whole shebang, arriving early in the morning to tailgate, people-watch, and take in the atmosphere of a race.  A friend's boss generously provided pit passes to meet some drivers, view the cars, walk the track, and enjoy some free food and drinks, which is even more awesome!

I'll write more about it after the weekend is over - how to attend a race, what to bring, what to do, etc.  Thankfully we're going with a couple who has already done this, so it's sure to be a great experience!

But just to make sure I'm up to speed and in the mindset for tomorrow, I will be watching "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" tonight to brush up on my NASCAR lingo.  I wanna go fast!!!

Have you attended a NASCAR or other automobile race before?

~ Just a Thrifty Gypsy