Life Adventure

Firing of the Cannons at Night

May 17, 2017 Gayle 0

I love history! Well, most history. Certainly, recent history….recent as in the past 250ish years, give or take a decade or two. Perhaps it’s misogynistic to say, but my interest is strongly toward US History. I am fascinated by the idea that history happened, where my feet are standing. When I graduated High School, and my parents said they would take me on a trip, I didn’t choose the beach, or an amusement park, or things other kids might choose, I chose a history tour! Philadelphia, Washington and Williamsburg! It should then, come as no surprise that I am a frequent visitor to the historic sites near my home. Especially, those that offer some sort of living history demonstration. As was the case on May 13, 2017. I had read that the State Historic Site at Fort Fisher planned to fire their newly refurbished 32-pound rifled and banded seacoast cannon. It had been a busy Saturday, and we had just settled in to do nothing on Saturday evening, when my phone alerted to the event. we jumped up and hustled to get there….barely arriving before the first firing. I barely jostled my way to the front for any video. By the third firing, I was pleased with my capture.  If you love History, and even if you don’t, Fort Fisher is a fun, and beautiful, place to visit! We can’t recommend it enough!

They Say It’s My Birthday

March 30, 2017 Jenn Tabor 0

Monday was my 47th birthday. It was also the first day of Spring Break, so we decided to take a few days and go to the mountains. Before we left, Gayle gave me the first part of my birthday gift. She had a journal made from my favorite childhood book, Katy No-Pocket.  It was the perfect thing to use as a travel journal, especially since our first adventure was beginning the next day. Gayle was driving a steam engine at the Transportation Museum in Spencer on Saturday, and from there we drove about 2 hours to Black Mountain, where we were going to enjoy some “nothing time” until Tuesday. Our first night there, we heard a commotion on the porch. Gayle opened the door to see two raccoons enjoying the cat’s food. We watched them for a while, such cute critters! We made sure to take in the cat food after that though, we didn’t want them to feel too welcome. The plan for Monday was a whole lot of nothing, but we did cook a late breakfast of eggs, bacon and toast. While eating, a huge wild turkey walked up the driveway, hopped the fence and wandered around in the woods nearby. He was a giant bird and entertained us by fanning his tail feathers a few times.   We had heard from the homeowners that there was a bear that liked to sun on their porch, but unfortunately, he did not come to wish me a Happy Birthday. the rest of the story

Gayle Drives a Steam Engine – NC Transportation Museum

March 24, 2017 Gayle 0

When you grow up in a railroading family, you naturally learn to love trains. I can not remember a time, no matter where we were, or how long daddy had been working for the railroad, when we didn’t stop to watch a train go by. So naturally, when Jenn found that the NC Transportation Museum offered the opportunity to spend 30 minutes driving a steam engine I jumped at the chance! After all who wouldn’t want to drive a steam engine? Last year we visited the Virginia Transportation Museum and rode the 611 from Roanoke to Radford and we both were surprised at how much we enjoyed exploring the trains and riding the rail. The 611 is the last of Norfolk and Western’s J class of steam engines built between 1941 – 1950. Of the 13 that were built, the 611 is the only one still running. We had no idea what to expect in Spencer, but were excited to see what they had to offer. PLUS we knew the 611 was there for some repairs. The journey to Spencer takes a little over four hours from Wilmington, knowing my drive time was at 3:00, we left early enough to give a cushion. Even though the weather started out nice and sunny, the clouds got thicker the closer we got to our destination. We often laugh that some of our best times were days when rain could have caused us to turn back or not go. We now are often the rest of the story

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