Boom! We hit the Atlantic coast

North America » United States » North Carolina » Charlotte
June 26th 2006

Published: June 26th 2006

June 4 - 22, 2006 Hot Springs, N.C. - Savannah, Ga. - Charleston, S.C. - Charlotte, N.C. Loop 10,856 miles to date 1,610 miles this leg NOTE: In addition to the updated Route Map, we've made revisions to the Proposed Route Map: for now, it includes Newfoundland! Four and a half months after leaving our Northwest home, we reached the Southeast apex of our round-the-country trip. We first saw the... Read Full Entry

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Shelly & Jeff Randall

Waltzing Matilda

We are a writer/photographer and a land-use planner from Port Townsend, Wash., who quit our jobs to take a year-long "sabbatical" for the 12 months of 2006. Our travel vehicle was a Volkswagen Westfalia camper-van named Matilda, after the Australian phrase (and song) "Waltzing Matilda" -- meaning to hit the road with your possessions slung in a bag over your shoulder. We were glad not to be wandering on foot like those Aussie swagmen! We had a memorable trip waltzing around the U.S. and Canada, learning as much as we could about this vast and diverse continent we call home. So glad we di... full info

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Atlanta Fountain

Kids playing in the spray of the fountain in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park.

Atlanta Swim Caps

Two of the serious splashers at the fountain in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park.

Debbie, Donna, Chad

The sightseeing crew in Atlanta, post-breakdown! From right to left, Chad, Donna, and Donna's mom Debbie (the rescuer). We're listening to the Fahrenheit Band rock and roll.

Dog & Owner

A look-alike dog and owner I photographed at the Fahrenheit Band outdoor concert.

Great Smoky Mountains

The "smoke" on the Great Smoky Mountains. We drove through America's most-visited national park on the way from Tennessee to Georgia.

Smoky Stream

With a laptop, we can take computer breaks anywhere we want -- like beside this stream in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where Shelly hammered out an article submission.

Old Mill Singers

The Old Mill Singers were setting up to play on the porch of the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and Jeff asked if he could join them with his banjo. He did! (Shelly harmonized on a few songs as well.)

Tennessee Farm

A typical red-soil east Tennessee farm with rolled hay bales, located up the valley from where Shelly's dad grew up.

Dale Jett

Dale Jett, grandson of the Original Carter Family members, opened the show at the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Va., with a folk song accompanied by autoharp.

Carter Fold Dancers

The dance floor at the Carter Family Fold swelled with cloggers as the band Black Diamond Edition took the stage.

David & Sarah

Shelly's cousins David and Sarah are two of the relatives we visited in east Tennessee.

Cheryl & Jim

Shelly's aunt Cheryl and Jim, the managing editor of the Rogersville Review, the newspaper where Cheryl also works. It is the oldest continously published newspaper in Tennessee.

Jean & Ron

Jean and Ron, Shelly's dad's cousins, took us out to eat at the Pig & Chick (both are served BBQ'd). Then they wanted to whoop it up, so...

Music Junction

...they took us to Music Junction, an open-mike venue, and encouraged us to get up on stage! Backed up by the house band, we launched into our best version of "Boil Them Cabbage Down."

Nana & Ledford

Jeff's banjo was picked up by a fellow named Ledford when we visited Shelly's grandma in the nursing home in Rogersville.

Evelyn, Nana, John

Then we drove Shelly's Nana to visit her cousins in nearby Morristown: Evelyn and John. John reminisced how he bought his "Tennessee tuxedos" (overalls) at my great-grandfather's general store in Rogersville.

Tom & Linda

Tom & Linda built this log house themselves. They're Shelly's dad's cousins and also the parents of Stephanie, whose home in Hendersonville, N.C., is our home base in these hills.

Shelly & Florine

Shelly with her godmother Florine in Jefferson City, Tenn. (Shelly's birthplace).

Banjo Session

We were welcomed into the Jefferson City home of Martha and Bruce and their children Paige (Shelly's childhood friend) and Brett. In order for Brett to demo his bluegrass picking on Jeff's banjo, we duct-taped a flat pick to his index finger!

River Rafting

The only photo we have from an afternoon rafting trip on the French Broad River. It was Jeff's first time in a raft, and we both enjoyed the scenery and the Class I-III rapids.

French Broad River

The placid French Broad River downstream of where we went river rafting. One of only two rivers in the world that flow south to north (the other is the Nile), which is evidence that it is one of the world's OLDEST rivers.

27th June 2006

Susan Briggs
non-member comment

greetings from Guemes!
I didn't want your narrative and photo journal to end...I was so lost in sharing your adventures! Too much together time doesn't show in your healthy smiles, smirks and posturing with the locals. Connecting with people is so natural for your two I think your future will be rich!!! Looking forward to your next installment. Susan PS I loved the wine you gave me, as did my 3 neighbors who helped me drink it on my 63rd birthday earlier in the month. All is well.

1st July 2006

Sarah Boggan
non-member comment

Yay for Tybee Island
Hey Guys, Just thought I would check in and say hello. Tom and I have been enjoying the updates. I was so excited to see you made it to Tybee Island. My parents had a beach house there growing up a place that definitely brings back childhood memories! Enjoy.

6th July 2006

Mom and Dad
non-member comment

Reading your blog from the AT
We are in Waynesboro, VA, at the home of a trail angel. We have showered, did laundry, ate a meal, and now have time on a computer that is easy and quick. Finally got to read the blog. Loved it! Continue to enjoy your trip. Love to you 'all.

11th July 2006

Juliet
non-member comment

Ola from Porto, Portugal!!
I'm still keeping up with your adventures from Portugal. I have been in Porto for a little over a week, taking an intensive language and culture course through Berkeley. It has been an incredible experience thus far and I'm considering doing a travel blog of my own once I get a digital camera. However, I'm afraid that I will come up short in comparison to your amazing stories and well-organized entries!

31st August 2006

Andree
non-member comment

We almost crossed paths
Hi there! Finally have some time to peruse your blog! I had two weeks in the Hollywood Hills with my aunt, then flew to Charlotte myself for a meeting! They had a tour the whitewater park and hosted us to a dinner at the Speedway! I had an extra twenty-four hours so drove to Asheville through the mountains and had a great time - visited the larged house in the nation...had some BBQ, etc....great stories and photos - whoo hoo!

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Boom! We hit the Atlantic coast

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