A Visit With Andy in Mayberry, NC

Well, actually not Mayberry. That place never existed, but it was based on Andy Griffith's boyhood home of Mt. Airy, NC.

This town has embraced its connection with that famous TV show in a big way. And, it grows every year. The first time we went through town about ten years ago, there was some, but not nearly as much as now.

We arrived late Tuesday night, September 23rd, and checked into the Mayberry Motor Lodge right there on Andy Griffith Parkway. This is a mom and pop type of a place and we could tell it was well-kept up judging from the elaborately manicured lawn and shrubs.

We drove across the road to Aunt Bea's BBQ and had a great meal of western Carolina-style bbq pork for a very reasonable price. Then, we took a ride around and found the downtown which has a lot of shops selling Mayberry souvenirs.

We came back and stopped at Goober's 52, right next to Aunt Bea's BBQ and across from our motel. This is a Caribbean-styled place with ska playing from the speakers. They have an enclosed outside dining area as well.

More to Come. --RoadDog