2014-06-13: Road Trip Day #7 Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia

On this seventh day of our summer road trip, we ended up driving through Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. We continued following US-19 southbound and Geocaching along the way. We managed to find 12 for the day at various stops.

After a couple of Geocaches, I saw this virtual cache pop up so we turned off of US-19 for a few blocks to take a look. This water wheel was out at the edge of this Geocachers own property. 

These next few photos are of Spivey Creek in Tennessee at the site where once stood the Tilson Grist Mill. The mill itself has since been removed, restored, and now sitting in the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville. But a Geocache has been hidden here to mark the spot.

Continuing down the road crossing the border from Tennessee to North Carolina at the town of Bristol, there's a giant guitar in the center of town. That definitely a photo opp! So we quickly pulled over for a closer look.

This next stop is another virtual cache next to Cold Springs Church. This natural cold water spring continues to flow 24 hours a day. The locals even bring their jugs and containers here to refill for free fresh cold spring water. Sure beats buying bottled water in the store.

After the water falls into the drain below the deck forms this creek.

Still winding through the Smokey Mountains, we stopped for another Geocache and a scenic view at the Pattons Run Overlook along the Nantahala River in North Carolina. After finding the cache near the parking area, we took the short hike down the trail to the rivers edge. It was a beautiful hike and listening to the rushing waters was very relaxing. A great place to stretch the legs.

Our last stop and a virtual Geocache was a monument located in Murphy, NC. The monument marked the site of the former US Army post Fort Butler, where the Cherokee Indians we gathered to begin their relocation march known as "The Trail of Tears." Here at the confluence of the Valley and Hiwassee Rivers, General Winfield Scott commanded the relocation forces and used Fort Butler as his headquarters.

From there we continued south on US-19, crossed over into Georgia and stayed the night in Dahlonega, GA. Another great day full of history, Geocaching, and scenery.

2014-06-12: Road Trip Day #6 Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia

So this morning we're still in Western Pennsylvania, we have four days left to get back to Florida and no specific things to see or do. But I do know that it's time we must be heading south. If we just hit the Interstate, we can be back in two days. As I'm looking through Google maps trying to decide which route to take, I noticed US19 just south of Pittsburgh. US19 goes all the way down to Tampa, FL. So I decided we'll just follow US19, stay off the Interstate, and see what we'll find.

Throughout the day we managed to find 13 Geocaches at various stops along the way. Mostly during food or gas stops and nothing really to note about. We saw some small towns and scenic views of hills and mountains. For most of the day it was overcast and wet, so not many photos either.

The first place worth mentioning was this old US-19 bridge crossing over the Birch River from 1916. Located in Birch River, WV, it has long been replaced with the current 4-lane bridge that makes the US-19 highway. It's nice they kept this old piece of history in place.

Further on down the highway, we did cross over the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia. Even though there was a lite rain, we did stop for a quick look from the rest area. The New River Gorge has become a National Park. The bridge is the longest steel span in the western hemisphere and the third tallest in the United States. It is one of the most photographed places in West Virginia. Too bad the weather wasn't cooperating.

After crossing the border into Virginia, we got a bite to eat, found a hotel and called it a day. Thanks for following along with our adventure. See you tomorrow.

2014-06-08: Road Trip Day #2 Virginia to Connecticut

On day two, we wake up in Southern Virginia, get some breakfast and continue on up I-95. Our first Geocaching stop was a few hours north at the Stonewall Jackson Shrine in Guinea Station, VA. Accidentally shot by one of his own men during the Civil War at The Battle of Chancellorsville. He was brought here to recover, but caught phenomenon and died a few days later.

Although Candy and I find history very interesting, the grandkids were no longer amused and just wanted to get to Maryland. We wanted to take them into Washington D.C. to show them some sites, but we too had gotten weary of their "I'm bored" comments and looked forward to dropping them off. So we looped around the beltway and dropped them off at their fathers in Westminster, MD.

After saying our goodbyes, we quickly got back on the road and headed for The Big Apple: New York City! It was Sunday afternoon now and I was hoping to view the city and be out of there that evening before all the Monday traffic.

What a great time visiting the city. We parked over by the water at Battery Park and began walking through the streets. We got to see the newly finished GZ memorials, the Freedom Tower, the Statue of Liberty, and more. Just a glimpse of the city and realizing we'll need to come back someday and spend an entire week!

That evening we hurried out of the city on up to West Haven, Connecticut for the night. Another great day in the books!