It seemed like my charging systems were both good (engine and generator), so by morning I had convinced myself that new batteries were all I needed. So shortly after dawn I was back to the store and the battery project was complete within an hour or two. The new ones were bigger than the old and just barely fit in the battery tray, but in this case, bigger probably means better. But now I was off to a late start for the long day’s drive to Greenville, SC.
The Richmond bypass, I-295, and a short jog on Hwy 36 West got me onto I-85 and it was a pleasure to find myself on two nice lanes between pretty pine trees southwest bound with very little traffic.
Set the cruise control and enjoy the scenery and the mild temperatures. Pleasant miles with regular rest stops available, listening to classical music on the radio. Soon I’m in North Carolina and the pavement is now short concrete sections that go thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump. DD turns 20,000 miles. And then somewhere on the way to Raleigh/Durham the pavement becomes seamlessly smooth blacktop and then similarly smooth concrete. So it varies, but at least pothole land is well behind me now.
Passing RDU, heading for Charlotte, the trees are coming in full blossom. I’ve arrived at Spring!
I make good time breezing through South Carolina and soon enough I am turning into the new residential area where Patt and Mike live. I know as soon as I start down their street that I’ll have to unhitch to get back out. They have a large and beautiful lot at the end of a cul-de-sac too small for a 180° turn, but there is a nice spot to park DD in the neighbor’s driveway, and I park Essie on the street in front. Mike bravely guides me back to within about six inches of the garage, and then I pull forward a couple of feet onto three blocks for the left front wheel and one for the right front…level for the night.
The Richmond bypass, I-295, and a short jog on Hwy 36 West got me onto I-85 and it was a pleasure to find myself on two nice lanes between pretty pine trees southwest bound with very little traffic.
Set the cruise control and enjoy the scenery and the mild temperatures. Pleasant miles with regular rest stops available, listening to classical music on the radio. Soon I’m in North Carolina and the pavement is now short concrete sections that go thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump. DD turns 20,000 miles. And then somewhere on the way to Raleigh/Durham the pavement becomes seamlessly smooth blacktop and then similarly smooth concrete. So it varies, but at least pothole land is well behind me now.
Passing RDU, heading for Charlotte, the trees are coming in full blossom. I’ve arrived at Spring!I make good time breezing through South Carolina and soon enough I am turning into the new residential area where Patt and Mike live. I know as soon as I start down their street that I’ll have to unhitch to get back out. They have a large and beautiful lot at the end of a cul-de-sac too small for a 180° turn, but there is a nice spot to park DD in the neighbor’s driveway, and I park Essie on the street in front. Mike bravely guides me back to within about six inches of the garage, and then I pull forward a couple of feet onto three blocks for the left front wheel and one for the right front…level for the night.
It has been quite a while (nine years?) since our last visit, so we have a lot of catching up to do. Aunt Helene is very patient with me as I pick her brain for details of her life, my father’s life, and my life, going way back to the “beginning.” They treat me to dinner at a Mexican restaurant, and show me a little of the area where they live near Furman University. Very nice. Back home we chat in front of their beautiful fireplace until bedtime.
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