 |
| We cut a less destructive swath through Appalachia. |
In contrast with my periodic and emotional responses to the dissatisfaction of blogging, Melvin wrote a comprehensive and well reasoned analysis earlier this year. I don't do Melvin's exploration justice, not even to this individual point, but he included the observation:
"On the basic level, independent of any possible larger issues, I think the blog can serve a useful recording function: here are some of the places we went, in the order we went to them, with some pictures. ...having all the trip-related experiences at least alluded to in a common place has an evidentiary value...."In the spirit of that statement, and despite my resolution earlier this year, the following records with a minimum of narrative our recent trip south through the Mid-Atlantic states and the return through Appalachia.
Saturday
Rob (third person) drives 5:30 to Arlington VA, meeting Melvin who was at a conference there. Bonus question: Why is it called "Crystal City" if everything is beige?
 |
| Dark Star Park |
tour Arlington
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park (1984)dinner at the Ornery Beer Company & Public House with Haldeman, who introduced Melvin and me to each other in the previous century
"Deep Throat parking garage"
Potomac Nationals 0, Carolina Mudcats 3
with Haldeman and David Rapp and his wife Lee Anne who all witnessed a bench clearing ... well, brawl would be an overstatement but Mudcats shortstop Isan Diaz gave Potomac catcher Matt Reistetter a pretty good shot to the head before they were both ejectednight-cap, Cascade Brewing Apricot 2015
Sunday
 |
| when Terminal A was all there was to National Airport |
tour National Airport
Abington Plantationenter Maryland
historic art deco Terminal A (1941)
congressional parking lot
Manila Mart, Beltsville, for lunch
Melvin had the sisig fries; chopped grilled pork and liver seasoned with lemon, onion, and hot peppers over French fries. I meant to get the lechon kawali—pork belly simmered in water and spices till tender, then deep-fried—but got it confused with another item (allegedly) available by the pound, kare-kare, ox tail stewed in peanut sauce with mixed vegetables. Bad mistake.Delmarva Peninsula
Trans-Peninsular Line Midpoint Marker — Mason & Dixon!crazy driving through Norfolk tunnels
Delmarva Shorebirds 6, Lakewood Blueclaws 5
return to Virgina
Kiptopeke Breakwater (concrete ships)
Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel (1964)
dinner at The Torch Bistro
crazy driving to avoid Norfolk tunnels
Monday
breakfast at Handsome Biscuit, Norfolk
tour Virginia Beach
Mount Trashmore
Edgar Cayce's Association for Research and Enlightenment
Jerrasic Park at the Military Aviation Museum
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| Virginia Beach triptych |
enter North Carolina
Jim "Catfish" Hunter Museum, Hertford
reprise of Haldeman, Kinston
dinner at the Boiler Room Oyster BarTuesday
Down East Wood Ducks 2, Winston-Salem Dash 4
breakfast at Lovick's Café, Kinston
Fort Neoheroka Monument
Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park and workshop, Wilson
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| Whirligig Park is now anticipated to open in November. |
"Eyes on Main Street," Wilson Outdoor Photo Festival
Cryptozoology & Paranormal Museum
The Burger Barn, Warrenton, for milkshakes
(contemporary) Soul City
Oak & Dagger Public House, Raleigh
Ben Harris sculptures
Buies Creek Astros 5, Carolina Mudcats 6 (15 innings)
Wednesday
early lunch at Allen & Son Barbecue, Pittsboro
"Mosaic House," Durham (exterior only)
abandoned factory, Belmont
Körner’s Folly, Kernersville
 |
| The restoration is ongoing at Körner's Folly. |
last Shell Oil clamshell station, Winston-Salem
The Beer Growler (A cleaning charge? Really?)Kannapolis Intimidators 0, Hickory Crawdads 1
nightcap, D9 Brewing Company Systema Natvræ, 3rd edition, lingonberry and edelweiss sour
Thursday
Boondocks Brewing for an early lunch and growler fill, West Jefferson
enter Tennessee
TVA South Holston Dam (1950) and weir
Backyard Terror's Dinosaur Park, Bluff City
 |
| Again with the dinosaurs? |
Phil's Dream Pit for an early dinner, Kingsport
"From Phil's to Fail"missed seeing the Kingsport Mets lose in 11 innings
car won't start, loose battery cable (we learned later)
watched New York Mets 8, Miami Marlins 0 instead in our room at the 'meth bust motel,' drinking Crumpler Crippler Citra DIPA from Boondocks
Friday
get fleeced at Firestone Complete Auto Care
lunch at Sweet P's Downtown Dive, Knoxville
Sunsphere (1982), World's Fair Park, and Market Square
Green McAdoo Cultural Center, including the Clinton 12 statue
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| no ordinary walk to school |
Norris, Tennessee and the TVA Norris Dam
Tennessee Smokies 5, Jackson Generals 2
Einstök Icelandic Toasted Porter to go from The Casual Pint, Marysville
Saturday
Owen's Restaurant, Dandridge, for breakfast
Houston's Mineral Water, New Market
enter West Virginia
Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
(pizza) Pies & Pints, Charlestown
"Mortar Man"
Blacksheep Burritos and Brews
2:31 rain delay
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| power down |
West Virginia Power 11, Hickory Crawdads 2
"Power up!" "The toaster!"Sunday
almost missed check-out
Tudor's Biscuit World ("Start your day the homemade way!")
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Weston
 |
| home sweet home |
Philippi Mummies
West Virginia Black Bears 4, Williamsport Crosscutters 2
Iron Horse Tavern, Morgantown
(idle) Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit system
Morgantown Brewing Company
Monday
Grave Creek Mound, Moundsville
(escape from the) West Virginia Penitentiary
Bob's Lunch
drive through fracking country (see top)
Palace of Gold at New Vrindaban
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| Swami Prabhupada's bedroom |
enter Pennsylvania
"Space Acorn", Kecksburg
Flight 93 National Memorial, Stoystown
State College Spikes 4, Batavia Muckdogs 5
Home D Pizzeria and Robin Hood Brewing Company
Independence Day
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| done for now with these amusements |
Original Waffle Shop ("Fresh, fast and fun...every day.")
Williamsport Crosscutters 4, State College Spikes 2
Statue of Liberty in the Susquehanna River
Tröegs Independent Brewing for dinner and a growler fill
drop Melvin at Newark Liberty International Airport and return home
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