Homeless to Hopeful

After a long hiatus, SCargo is out of mothballs and purring along the nation's highways once again. At 10:01, January 4, 2009, Bubba and I pulled out of the driveway of Ed and Sandy's Homeless Shelter, heading for Delaware via North Carolina. Even though the day was overcast, misting and winter like, day one of the trip was lots of fun. I'm not driving the V hard, so I have time to take in all of the sights along the way. So far 62 has been the top mph, with 55-60 the norm.

I don't have a firm day to return, as only the preliminary tasks are being done on my lot. The contract is signed; the construction loan approved. The builder has already had trees removed for placement of the house and driveway. Next should be the foundation. I'll be updating with photos as interesting things take place on the lot.

Sunday night I made it to Asheville, NC. Day 2 took me to Black Mountain, about 10 miles east of Asheville. There are some shops there with handmade, unique items to see. The weather was more fall-like than winter, so I meandered the streets for some time. I was thinking of some furniture pieces I'll be needing for the new house, so I stopped into a furniture mart in the same town,just to look around . After an afternoon of wandering showrooms, going from building to building, up and down stairs to each different manufacturer's showroom, I walked out having bought new bedroom furniture. I'll be picking it up on the way from Memphis to Delaware and sling it onto the truck. Can't wait.

Last night I drove as far as Johnson City, TN on I-26. I'd like to see that stretch of road in the daytime. It was extremely spooky in the dark: absolutely no light unless a car came up, 6% grades with many truck runoff areas and no highway signs except for an occasional 'Future West I-26' sign. All communication devices failed too.

Today it was on to I-81 through Virginia. The plan is to go east on I-66, circle around the north side of D.C. and on to US 50 East across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge into Maryland and Delaware. It was getting a bit dark and foggy this afternoon when I decided that, what the hay, I'll gas up and just drive on past D.C. and find a place to stay on the East side. When I pulled into the gas station near Staunton, VA, I noticed icicles hanging on the road signs and fences. Holy cow. I'm not driving the V in that! So I went 7 more miles north and planted myself here at the Microtel. What a nice place, almost new, very clean and a bit European in room design. The room is small, but has everything one needs for an overnight stay; down to fresh baked cookies at 8PM (which I purposely missed)

So that's what's happening these days. Tomorrow I'll be off to Delaware, weather permitting. It's nice being retired.