"Now, look here, Opie"

Our original plans called for an overnight stop boondocking in a parking lot.  The heat wave that hit the southeast this week changed that.  We were fortunate to get a reservation at Barnyard RV Park in Lexington, SC. 

When we called on Tuesday, we were told there were two spaces remaining for Friday night.  We reserved one of them.  The sign on the door when we arrived said, “No Vacancy.”  We weren’t the only late arrivals on this Friday evening; one of the dozen highlighted maps taped to the office window showed us which site was ours.

We pulled through and parked.  In less than ten minutes we had air conditioning, water, sewer and cable hookups.  

This place is packed!  I’m not surprised.  We are near the South Carolina crossroads – Interstates 20, 26, 77.  Years ago, I made the mistake of traveling to Columbia on a summer weekend without a hotel reservation, thinking there would be plenty of available rooms along the interstate.  Boy, was I wrong.  My mother-in-law Sandra still says, “I told you so.”  She and I drove all the way to Florence that night with my two babies before we found a room.

Barnyard RV Park, despite the number of rigs parked here, is a quiet place.  After all, campers are typically respectful people.  This park is well-designed with easy pull-through sites and shade trees strategically planted. We couldn’t be happier with our choice for a quick overnight stop on our route.

Pull through, shady sites at Barnyard RV Park, Lexington, SC

 South Carolina interstates are in need of resurfacing.  The bouncing was so rough that I finally leaned my head onto the headrest, closed my eyes and imagined I was sitting in a massage chair at the nail salon.

Two lane interstates are inadequate for the volume of traffic these days.  Saturday traffic slowed and then halted numerous times.  Only once was there a fender-bender to warrant the backup.   On the upside, at least the rest area was clean and well-shaded. 

Four hours and several traffic delays after pulling out of Barnyard we arrived at our second destination, Mayberry Campground in Mount Airy, NC. 

From our campsite at Mayberry Campground, mountains are visible in the distance.

An antique car show in Mount Airy, NC June 20, 2015

Mayberry’s draw is definitely the Andy Griffith theme that carries through downtown Mount Airy.  The campground is sufficient for our needs, but it’s nothing to brag about.  There is a small pond with a minimal view of distant mountains.  No shade trees.  No landscaping.  Just gravel drive through or back-in sites with the usual hookups.  We do appreciate the wi-fi and cable tv included in our overnight fee. 

Galaxie

After a quick setup and some lunch, we headed to historic downtown Mount Airy.  A drive-in antique car show made the walk through town interesting.  Jamie even spotted an old Galaxie, black with red interior, just like the one he fell out of as a little tyke when his mama turned out of the driveway in Camilla.  And we thought his insistence on seat belts and child safety seats was because of his job.

We stopped by Floyd’s Barber Shop just in time to meet 91-year-old Russell Hiatt, Andy’s barber in Mt. Airy who was the inspiration for the fictional Floyd.  Yes, Jamie got a haircut there.  But not from Mr. Hiatt; he’s retired and just shows up for photo opportunities every day. The walls are plastered with tourist photos he has taken over the years. His son, who takes the pictures now and uploads them to Facebook, reported that there were five pages of names today, more than 300 photos. 

Jamie getting a haircut at Floyd's City Barber Shop in Mount Airy, NC.

Back at the campground, I snapped this picture of Engine 3; of course, the Chief had to inspect.

Old fire engine at the entrance to Mayberry Campground