Gas March-April Trip to NC

Always interesting (and sad to note gas prices on my trips).

Date/where/price/gallons bought/cost

3-20  Crawfordsville, Ind.--  $3.80 / 9.165/  $36.53
3-21 Ravenswood, W.V.--. $3.70 / 4.003 / $14.81
3-21  Wytheville, Va.--  $3.47 / 12.166 / $42.20
3-26  Goldsboro, NC--  $3.61 / 8.994 / $32.46
4-1  Galax, Va.--  $3.44 / 8.581 / $29.51
4-1 Ripley, W.V.--  $3.66 / 5.834 / $21.35
4-2  Dayton, Oh--  $3.60 / 6.964 / $25.06
4-2  Mahomet, Il.--  $3.56 / 7.230 / $25.73

Spent $227.65 for gas.

What a Gas.  --RoadDog

Coming Home: Got Home

Arrived in the driveway at 4 PM, CSDT with total mileage at 19,250 on the '11 Malibu, most all of it on road trips.  Mileage since I left Goldsboro, NC, 1041.7 and had driven 411,3 miles today.

I had been listening to a CD and when I ejected it, I had 98.3 FM LP out of Round Lake Heights, Illinois, another interesting and varied station.  That is the same number as the Whip in Farmer City.  Good stations must be close in numbers.  The great country classic station in Galax, Virginia is 98.1.

For the trip, I drove 2,178 miles.

Good to Be Home.  --RoadDog

Coming Home: Just About There Now

APRIL 2ND

Gas at Pittsboro was $3.76 and Crawfordsville $3.60.  Both I-74 in Indiana.

I've often seen billboards for a place at Exit 4 in Covington, Indiana,  called The Beef House which advertises it has been voted beast steak house in Indiana and something about fantastic rolls.  One of these days i am going to have to stop there.

I sure noticed lots and lots of police all along I-74, but I rarely speed anymore to increase gas mileage.  Normally I have the cruise control on.

Of course, approaching Danville, I turn on WWHP, the Whip top listen to all that great Americana/blues music.  As it was noon and a Tuesday, I got the farm report and the Bluegrass show, The Blue Side of Town with Bill McCreary,  again (which i heard on the way down).

Gas in Forest was $3.70.  The closer you get to Chicago, the more expensive the gas.  The same holds true for Il. Highway 47 the farther north you go.

Dwight--  $3.75
Yorkville--  $3.80-$3.82
Elburn--  $3.95
Huntley--  $4
Woodstock $3,90

'Bout There.  --RoadDog

Coming Home: April 2nd, Cruising Indiana

Up and moving the next day and looking for a White Castle near the interstate in Indiana.  At MM 122 on I-70, saw one of those highway signs with a White Castle listed.  Got off and found the place was three miles off the road.  I hate when they do that.  There should be someway to let people know how far places are before they get off.  Maybe, put a colored stripe around places more than a mile off on the sign.

I did find a close-by Castle a little ways down the road and had my Slider Fix.  There are lots of White Castles around Indianapolis.

Passed the Big Blue River at MM 119.  Reckon there's a story there.  Gas was $3.47 in New Castle.

I saw a truck carrying two armored and armed Humvees outside of Indy.

Shortly after getting on I-74, east of the I-465 bypass, I saw a sign for Dandy Trail.  Is there a story there?  Then, there is that huge dam and earthen levee to the north of I-74.

Getting Closer to Home.   --RoadDog

Coming Home-- Part 5

Returning from North Carolina April 1-2, 2013.

After the West Virginia Turnpike, I got off I-77 at Ripley and took US-33 again, this time heading northwest toward Columbus, Ohio.

I was surprised to see a rest area along the highway that was open.  You don't see a lot of rest areas on U.S. highways, just interstates.  I also passed an Ohio Bicentennial barn, with logo facing southeast.  I did not see it on my way down, of course.

Picked up a good radio station, WYSO, 91.3 FM, playing blues this Monday.  Sure enjoyed their selection.

It was getting quite dark by now (April 1st) and I decided to go to Dayton.  Got off at what is now a regular eating spot, the Skyline Chili place at Exit 39, I think.  Filled up there and then went next door and got a room at the Super 8 for $38 with tax.  Nothing great, but I was ready to go to sleep after the long drive today, 630 miles.

Gas was $3.60 at the Dayton exit.  MPG now at 31.1

Over Half Way Home.  --RoadDog

Coming Home-- Part 4

I got back onto I-77 a few miles north of where the huge accident happened at the NC-Va. border yesterday.  Three people were killed on many taken to the hospital after a multi-vehicle pileup caused by dense fog.  The stretch here is an 8 mile decline/incline with fog warning signs.  I encountered that fog on one trip and believe me, that is some intense fog.  I can easily imagine a bad accident happening here.

Gas in Wytheville was $3.40 ($3.44 in Galax).

The whole way today on I-77, I saw a whole lot of Ontario cars heading north and home.  I don't know if they were coming back from spring break or winter snowbirding.One of them had a Canadian flag flying from the window.

Saw a sign for the Appalachian Bible College right by a billboard advertising: "Gentleman's Club, Totally Nude, Full Bar."  Kind of an interesting pairing.

I went by where the rock slide took place on my way down at MM-3 in West Virginia.  It was now open and all rocks off the pavement, but the shoulder was closed.  Wonder why?  Saw a whole lot of RVs heading north.

Gas on the West Virgina Turnpike was $3.70.  Got off I-77 at Ripley and again took US-33 northwest to Columbus, Ohio.

How 'Bout Them Canadians?  --RoadDog

Coming Home-- Part 2: Got My 'Cue

I was one of the first people into Hursey's Barbecue April 1st.

In 1945, Sylvester Hursey took his father's method of cooking pork and added a secret sauce and began selling his bbq out of his home, but soon outgrew it.  He got his first place in Gibsonville, NC.

In 1949 he started the North Carolina BBQ Wholesale Company and started selling at his Graham (where I was) and Burlington.  They use the pork shoulder of the pig only, reputedly the best part. 

I'd heard the bbq was great, but also try the chicken so I ordered the combination plate which came with cole slaw, hush puppies and fries., for $7.95.  The chicken was broasted, something you can't get in too many NC places.  And, the bbq was some of the best I ever tasted.  As good as it was, I still poured on huge amounts of the sauce which made it even better.

The whole time I was there, they kept playing Sirius/XM 80s-90s country and real good stuff too.

I'll be Back.  --RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2013: Coming Home-- Part 1-- Getting My 'Cue.

APRIL 1, 2013

Left Goldsboro, NC, at 8:55 AM with 18,208 in odometer.  Gas in Goldsboro between $3.57 and $3.60.  Driving US-70.

Readout for mpg reading 30.6.

Caught both lights in Princeton, located less than a quarter mile apart.  Made my day.

On I-40 and passed Jones Sausage Road which must have a story about the name.  Sixty-five miles to Raleigh-Durham Airport.

Passed Hillsborough Exit.  Hillsborough is where Confederate General Hardee's son, Willie, was buried after being mortally wounded at the Battle of Bentonville, just hours after the 18-year-old joined the Army.

Gas in Burlington, NC, at $3.53.  I was looking to eat lunch at Hursey's BBQ, a place I've heard a lot about for its great NC 'cue.  And, Ive seen signs advertising it all these years of driving I-40.  I got off one exit too early and had to stop at a gas station to find out where it was.  I was given good direction, even ones that direction-challenged old me could remember.  Usually, after on direction, I'm lost.

A lot of guys won't stop for directions because of pride.  I am a firm believer in stopping for them as I hate driving around when I don't know where I'm going.  I don't like to, though, because I can't remember what they say unless I write it down and there are usually other things the clerk needs to be doing.

Well, That's My Story, Anyway.  --RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2014: Charlie and the Stats

I looked up the song "See the Big Man Cry" and saw that it was by Chalie Louvin, one of the Louvin Brothers, who were popular country singers back in the 1960s.  Listened to it on You Tube, and it was the same song.  I had never heard of it before.

Charlie Louvin was a member of the Grand Ole Opry who died in 2011.  The song went to #7 on the country charts in 1965, way before I listened to any sort of country music.  He was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005.

I forgot to mention a couple of interesting North Carolina signs:  Hanging Rock State Park and Outlaw Drive.  Must be stories there.

Reception of 98.3 FM continued until east of Greensboro.

Continued seeing those brilliant white Bradford pear trees blooming.

When I arrived in Goldsboro, the odometer read 18,104 (17,072 when I left).  I had driven 1,039 miles the last two days and 530 today.  My gas mileage per gallon had risen from26.2 to32.0.  Funny how driving on interstates and a little under the speed limit can do that.

Good to Finally Be There.  --RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2013: March 20th-- I Finally Get There

The folks at the Virginia Welcome Center knew of the classic country station I like to listen to n the area, 98.1 FM, WBRF.  You can actually pick it up at the Va.-W.Va line and keep it all the way to nearing Greensboro.  That's a lot of great classic country from the 50s to 80s.

I especially enjoyed "See the Big Man Cry" but didn't catch the performer and John Anderson's "Seminole Wind."

Entering NC after that eight mile decline off the mountain with the grand vista views (even Pilot Mountain way off yonder) but the worrisome runaway truck lanes up the side of the mountain.  Enjoyed seeing daffodils blooming all over the place once in NC.

They do a great job on landscaping around interchanges.  Even starting to see Bradford pear trees blooming.  Stopped in Mt. Airy.  Snappy Lunch was closed, but Golden Corral substituted admirably.  I especially like their Carolina bbq which you don't find in too many Corrals.

Took US-421 by Winston-Salem to where it joined I-40 and then east, definitely expecting the worst that road has to offer in traffic, especially around the Durham-Raleigh area.  Surprisingly, since it was definitely in rush hour time, it wasn't bad and only a couple brief slowdowns.

Goldsboro At Last.  --RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2013: March 20th-- The Rock Slide

Driving through the mountains, I have seen the occasional big rock by the side of the road and even, on occasion, the aftermath of a rock slide, but I had never seen a rock slide right after it happened.  But today, I saw my first one.

About MM 4 in West Virginia. on I-77,  I rounded a bend and saw a lot of flashing emergency lights.  Getting closer, I saw a lot of big rocks and earth on the northbound lanes.  Unfortunately, at 65 mph, I didn't get a real good look.  I hate gapers, but this time I might have been one myself had I had more time for it to sink in.

Traffic was backed up northbound for the next 4 miles.  Of course, right at the Va.-W. Va. line, there is a rather long tunnel.  Northbound was backed up to within a few hundred yards of the tunnel.  Once through it, the backup continued on the Virginia side for another four miles, or until I got off at the Virginia welcome center.

According to the people at the desk, it had just occurred an hour before I came by.  I hadn't seen wrecked cars or trucks while passing it, so luckily, there were no injuries or deaths.  I picked up brochures for Galax, Virginia and the Crooked Road Tour as well as a bunch of Civil War ones.

I later saw a video of the slide happening and emergency vehicles were at the scene, so they must have been expecting it.  Traffic was detoured at W. Va. Exit 1 to US-460 and rejoined I-77 at Exit 0.  It took place about 10 AM.

Glad I Wasn't Northbound.  --RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2013: March 20th-- Through the Capital City

Now cruising through West Virginia and very pleased with finding better gas prices.  Tuned into Rock 107.3 for some good music.  Liked the welcome sign to the capital city "Welcome to Hip, Historic, Almost Heaven, Charleston W. Va".  Of course, always a highlight, that gold Capitol dome.

Once past downtown, we're running along the Kanawha River.  Always like the Moose Lodge right on that river.

Tuned into 95.3 FM, Charleston's Oldies Station and caught Creedence's "Fortunate Son."  CCR=Great Road Music. 

Once south of Charleston on I-77, you're on the West Virginia Turnpike which also has their own EZ Pass set up.  Wouldn't it be nice if all tollways in the U.S. would cooperate on one big Tollway E-Z Pass so you could use the transponder everywhere?  I guess that would, however, cut into the double profits they now charge non "Club" members.

Charging $3.72 on the turnpike, still cheaper than most of Ohio.

I'll Get to NC Eventually.  --RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2013: March 20th-- Cruising Southeast on US-33 and a West Virginia Shocker

Now heading southeast on US-33, I went through part of the Wayne National Forest and saw its headquarters and museum.  After awhile, the road began running alongside the Hocking River.

As I said earlier, the road is now four lane most of the way and only goes through one town, Nelsonville.  I now plan to take this road a lot and one day will look for the Old 33 as I now like driving that sort of road.

US-33 bypasses Athens, Ohio, home of the University of Ohio (one of NIU's Mid American Conference opponents).  What a view of the town the bypass affords across the river and sitting up on a hill with parkways running along the water.

It is a wide two lane road to the West Virginia line and across a magnificent old bridge, you know, the ones that actually look like a bridge.  Then, a short drive to I-77 by Ripley.


A WEST VIRGINIA SHOCKER

I always fill up with gas in Ohio or Virginia before driving across West Virginia because it is always almost as expensive as the Chicago area.  Gas in Ohio was mostly $3.80 to $3.90.  I was expecting the worst in the Mountaineer State.

Was I ever shocked to see gas at $3.70, even on the Turnpike.

I Can Always Live With Less Expensive Gas.  --RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2013: March 20th-- Heading for the Warmth (Well, So I Thought)

My miles per gallon had gone from 26.2 when I left home yesterday to 31.1.  That interstate driving, no-stopping, will do that.

Once on US-33, it was four lane divided and much of the way limited access.  There was even a Hocking Rest Area.  You don't see many rest areas on the US highways.

Popped the new Luke Bryan CD into the player and cruised along listening to all sorts of songs about the beach, sand and spring break.  Guess it was only a matter of time before someone came out with a song about that this time of the year.

All along the way, I was thinking about how much I was going to enjoy that North Carolina warmth in 500 miles, but was I ever in for a disappointment as it turned out.

Passed something called Old Man's Curve.  Were they talking about me?  Of course, if I was going to where the spring breakers were, I'd definitely be the "Old Man."

In Logan, I saw a Mill Stone BBQ.  Got me to thinking about Wilber's BBQ tomorrow in Goldsboro.  Well, salivating, actually.

Still Not There.  --RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2013: March 20th-- Green, Green Grass and a New 33

MARCH 20TH

Perhaps I will actually get to North Carolina on one of these blog entries.  For the fast trip there and back, see my Down Da Road I Go Blog.  This blog goes into just a "bit" more detail.

Checked out of the motel and headed south on the road to reach US-33 which was only about eight miles.  Then headed southeast to West Virginia.  I started noticing green grass.  Always a great sign that spring is here.  Trees still bare, though.

This new US-33 was a lot different from the last time we took it back in the 1970s.  Back then it was an extremely twisting, uphill and downhill, go-through-every little town, hit every stoplight, get-behind every slow-moving vehicle or piece of farm machinery, kind of road.  We HATED it and swore we'd never-ever drive it again. And, until this year, we hadn't.  For hurry-up-and-get-there folks like us, this was sure misery.
 
But, things change.  We got hooked on 66 and then all the other "Back Roads."  Now driving that 1970s road would be a destination, not something to avoid.

But, now, US-33, is almost like an interstate most of the way, even the two-lane portions.

Home Again

Put it in the books as my Spring Break (well, not really) two-plus-week trip to North Carolina and back is over after over 2100 miles, two nights on the road, one rock-slide, one traffic disaster miss, a whole bunch of great eating, gas from $3.54 to $3.80 a gallon and sidetrip with some striking mountain driving.

And that was just driving there and back.

Love the road, but always great to get home.  I will continue to write about the trip there tomorrow.

RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2013-- Part 8: The Mad River and a New Road

Also forgot to mention passing a river between the Ohio line and Columbus going east called the Mad River.  Bet there is a story there.  Wonder if there is a Laid-Back or Calm River nearby?

FINALLY TO MARCH 20TH

The next day I found that the motel I had stayed at was just five or six miles away from US Highway 33, the one I wanted to drive as a change of pace from the usual I-70 to Cambridge then I-77 south through West Virginia.

Way back in the 1970s, we had driven it as a shortcut from Columbus to West Virginia on a trip to North Carolina and had not liked it.  It was all two-lane twisting high hills driving and through every imaginable town with plenty of stoplights.  We were not amused.  Of course, now, this sort of a drive would be right on my favorites list.  But definitely not back then.

It was so bad, I have never driven it again.

Now, however, it is mostly four lane and a lot of it limited access.  Almost like driving an interstate.  As a matter of fact, I imagine you could still drive a lot of Old 33 and I might do just that next time.  Hopefully they will mark it Old 33.

One nice thing on today's drive, I started seeing green grass. 

Can Spring Be Far Away?  --RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2013-- Part 7: Not So Finished With First Day

MARCH 18TH

Well, I thought I was finished with the first day's drive, but not so.

My brother called right before I got to the Hen House to say he was at Chicago's O'Hare Airport.  They had missed their flight from RDU to Houston and had had to get another flight.  I had just left the Chicago area. Guess we "just" missed each other.

Once on I-74, I saw a pickup truck coming by with the words "Wide Load: on it.  I've seen this quite often, but this one also had a tall, flexible pole on the front.  I was wondering about this when it struck me it was being used to double check the height of overpasses for those tall, wide-loads.

I saw several more of these trucks during the two-day drive.

Like I said, I was disappointed with the $3.80 in Crawfordsville, Indiana (it had been $2.99.9, $3, in mid January).  As bad as that was, I was even more glad I had spent the $3.80 as it was $3.96 at the next Pilot station in Pittsboro.

Passed I-74 Exit 66 (as a Route 66 fan, I like that number) in Brownsburg, Ind, shortly before the Indy bypass.  We spent an unexpected night there back during the Orange Bowl trip during a surprise snowstorm.

OK, Think I'm Finished Now.  --RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2013-- Part 6: Indy and Chili

March 19th.

Ate lunch at the Mahomet Hen House.  As I already said, I was thinking of ordering a half a chicken, but decided not to when I was told there would be a twenty minute wait.  Instead, I had a ham steak with three sides for $7.95.  Some of the best ham I've ever eaten.  But, next time, maybe in Springfield, I will try some of that chicken they're noted for.

Listened to Bob Seger's "Beautiful Loser" and the Tribute to Jimi Hendrix on the way to Champaign, until Forrest, Illinois, when I started listening to the Whip, WWHP.  Listened to that station until I lost reception by Danville on I-74.

Gas was $3.80 at Crawfordsville, Indiana.  I should have gotten gas at Mahomet where it was $3.60.  Usually, the Pilot station near Crawfordsville is one of the cheapest prices on nthe way.

On I-74 through to the bypass around Indianapolis, arriving in time for rush hour.  Decided to go right through town on I-70 and am happy to say that traffic was heavy, but there were no slowdowns.

I-70 into Ohio and had dinner at Skyline Chili north of Dayton.  This is getting to be a regular stop for me.  Got a room at the Knight's Inn east of Columbus.

Finally Made It Through the First Day.  --RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2013-- Part 5: Hen House, the First Cracker Barrel

It is not too far from Gibson City to Mahomet.  I had seen the sign for a Hen House before and wanted to stop at it at some point, and this was the time to do just that.  It is located just south of I-77 on Il-47 (which continues another couple miles before its southern terminus).

At one time there were more Hen Houses in Illinois, but now just four remain: Springfield, one east of St. Louis, Arcola and here at Mahomet.  There is an old store at Chenoa, Illinois, which is now the Chenoa Family Restaurant.  It is on Route 66 as are the ones in Springfield and east of St. Louis.  I'll have to eventually get to the Arcola one, as that is the only one I haven't been to.

The best way to describe a Hen House is as a small Cracker Barrel.  They even have the little games to play at your table and a small gift shop, but no rocking chairs outside.  I'd have to say Cracker Barrels are based on Hen Houses.  Hen Houses have a definite architectural style and sign.

I'll have to do some research on Hen House and Cracker Barrel.

Eating in the Midwest.  --RoadDog