Mabry Mill

We started our morning in "Mayberry, R.F.D." Better known as Mount Airy, North Carolina. A statue of Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith), and his boy Opie (Ron Howard) grace the front of the Andy Griffith Museum. It was too hard not to whistle the theme song...so I did.

We didn't go into the museum. They only charge 3 dollars, but they wouldn't allow photographs...not even without the flash. What do they think we're going to do? Plan a heist of Aunt Bea's dress? Steal the suit from the series Matlock? Take Barney Fife's gun? C'mon.

We then visited the jail where Otis used to let himself in, and the gas station where Goober and Gomer worked.

We ended up at this mill...still working...near Meadows of Dan, Virginia. Thy are grinding up grits, cornmeal, and buckwheat. 6 bucks, 6 bucks, and 8 bucks. I don't eat grits (but PepperG does), we use Jiffy corn mix, and Aunt Jemima pancake mix...so I passed on the mixes.

But, I didn't pass on the fried pies at a nearby market. Yummy...just like my grandma used to make. Also, my dad and I wolfed down a bowlful of pinto beans and cornbread. Gas-alicious. Made the long ride later in the day MUCH more interesting.

Spending the night in Hendersonville, N.C. Tomorrow...we be seeing some waterfalls.

On a sad/funny note...sister Terrie stepped out of the car...walked along a ditch...and did one of those 6-7 step stumbles that you try to save...and can't. I didn't see it, but the other two did. After they found out she wasn't hurt...they all laughed about it for an hour. Her fall took the pressure off of me falling out of bed two nights before. Thanks Sis.

More pictures on my FLICKR PAGE. If you're not out milling about...have a look.