New Beginning

Friday was an exciting day for us as we picked up our new 2018 Pleasure-Way Lexor TS camper van. Two feet shorter than our old Plateau TS, it is easier to park, but has less storage space.  New tech features, the best of which is capturing energy from the sun with three solar panels, should allow us the flexibility to camp without having to plug-in for electricity! 

Our appointment was at 10:30 to pick-up the van at Carolina Coach and Marine, the only Pleasure-Way dealer in the state of North Carolina. The buying experience was refreshing. Our Lexor was open and ready for us in a covered delivery area with all the appliances prepped and running when we arrived. They had the van ready on time, it was exactly at the agreed upon price, and they didn’t try to sell us anything extra. Matt Horniman was our salesperson and we can endorse him, and the dealership, if you are looking for a recreational vehicle. After a test drive and a short walk-through, we paid for the van, then spent the rest of the day reading manuals and trying all the equipment to make sure everything worked. Their parking lot was our first overnight campground so we could get service in the morning if anything needed adjustment. Not finding anything wrong, other than a few pieces of velcro that came unglued, we departed the blacktop parking lot beside I-40 for more interesting places. 

With a brand-new engine, the manufacturer recommends varying the speed and staying under 55 mph for the first 300 miles. That gave us a great reason for taking back roads home. Just north of Statesville, we noticed a sign for Fort Dobbs Historic Site so, of course, we turned in to the parking lot.

Built in 1756 to house fifty men, the garrison based here defended the western frontier. Though the original structure is long gone, local materials are being utilized to reconstruct the buildings per the original plans. Modern tools are speeding the process. Spy holes were being cut in the white oak walls with a chain saw while we watched. Finishing is done by axe to preserve the look of the original structure. Dressed in period garb, a docent explained the history and future of the only site in NC preserved from the French and Indian War. Being the only visitors on a Saturday afternoon, we had all our questions thoroughly answered. We will be return someday to check on the finished building.

Winding through small towns, we had to stop and capture a photo in Harmony. We looked, unsuccessfully, for a barbershop. Those of you who know our other hobbies will understand.

Serendipity next led us to the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center in Yadkinville. Entering the Welborn gallery, artists greeted us at the opening of a creative weaving exhibit. The modern complex houses a theatre, restaurant, craft studios, the gallery and an outdoor stage. If you are in the area, check their website for current events and exhibits. Or you can just chance upon a gallery opening reception like we did!

An on-street parking experience showed that the length of the new van is just the size of a parking spot here in Yadkinville. The Sprinter wouldn't have fit in this space. We didn't notice until later that we had parked under a rainbow!

Our first night away from the dealership was spent at RagApple Lassie Vineyard where we were the only ones boondocking Saturday night in their parking lot. As part of the Harvest Hosts* program, we enjoyed meeting the owners, hearing about the property, and tasting some wine. As is customary when staying at a host, we purchased a few bottles to drink later or give as gifts. 

* If you are interested in joining Harvest Hosts, please click on this referral link to save 15% on your membership. We receive a small incentive. 

Just after sunrise on Sunday, we woke to three cars, a truck and a trailer pulling in. About twenty minutes later we understood why, as a beautiful balloon began inflating behind us. Awake enough to grab a camera, I captured a pretty good photo. 

Our spot in the parking lot looked out over the woods giving us a glimpse of Pilot Mountain in the distance. We’ve seen the mountain on our many drives between here and Michigan, but had never actually visited there. Without a schedule, we decided to wander towards the mountain and see what Pilot Mountain State Park might offer. As we got closer, the distinctive round outcropping became apparent.

Passing an expensive RV Resort with full electrical, water, and sewer hook-ups, we proceeded to the little State Park campground where all the sites shared two water spigots. 

The State Park had nicely wooded sites while the big RV’s at the Resort parked together in an open field. We were lucky it was Sunday night as all the State Park sites had been full on Friday and Saturday. Sunday through Thursday there are lots of open sites available for those of us who don’t have work obligations during the week! 

Once we climbed the mountain, we could see the RV Resort down below.

Camping permits purchased at the park are a very reasonable $18 per night. The campground hosts were very friendly and recommended the most level campsites. Though they are all paved, the sites were originally designed for tents, so many of the driveways are at steep angles. 

The hosts live in a big fifth wheel trailer when volunteering here, but go exploring in a Lance camper mounted in the bed of their four-wheel drive truck outfitted for boondocking in the western states.

After securing our campsite, we drove up most of the mountain, then climbed 0.8 miles where we followed a trail around the base of the big cliff. The views were great and some of the Mountain Laurel was still in bloom. 

From the overlook, we could get a different perspective on the highway we’ve driven many times. Trails utilized stones from the mountain to make nice steps and to keep the soil from eroding away. 

Although entrance to the park is free, rangers warned us that it gets busy on summer weekends. Parking is limited, so the park limits entries to the number of parking spaces and turns people away when they are full.

Pilot Mountain, the town, sits at the base of the mountain. Parking in front of a combination craft store and laundromat, we walked the main street and found an old bank building filled with vintage metal and neon signs from gas stations and auto dealerships. 

Monday we wandered home stopping to check-out  a couple of small lakes along the way. We might return to Lake Reidsville Park to camp where we can also launch our sailing kayak.

Back at home, Beth started making new fitted sheets for the couch and settees that fold down to become our bed. Socker, the ever helpful cat, was in the middle of the action as usual.