Marching, or in My Case Eating, My Way Through the Confederacy

DAY NINE ~ 521.2 miles Richmond, Virginia

I love the BMW guys, they are amazing! In New Mexico a light had come on in my dashboard saying that one of lights were about to go out, knock on wood that is the only light on this journey! So  I finally stopped at the dealership in Roswell because it was literally on my way out of town, and it was the last day of my warranty. They got me in, changed my light, checked my tires, washed the car, and took steel wool to wipe all the bug guts off my windshield! Grand total: $0.00!

With the Grey Lady’s check-up taken care of I was off through my March toward Richmond. First stop: Stone Mountain. Stone Mountain is the world’s largest piece of granite – so basically it is a huge rock in the middle of the forest. What they have done, however, to make it extra special, is to make it the Southern Mount Rushmore. They have carved into the side of the really big rock the busts of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson on horses. To be honest it was kind of cool, BUT what was so weird was that you had to walk through a bizarre frontier land type of amusement park (I had to walk past Country Joe singing about Pecos Bill, a rooting tooting cowboy) to get to Stone Mountain. Then as you walk down they have terraced viewing platforms for each of the Confederate States, when they were admitted and then readmitted to the Union. I was surprised to see that Kentucky and Missouri were officially admitted to the South. Now don’t get me wrong these states were absolutely conflicted and sent soldiers to fight on both sides, but last time I checked I do not remember any formal secession. Who knew?!

BUT the strangest part of the entire thing… they are blasting ENYA’s greatest hits soundtrack. You are standing in this beautiful natural spot and Enya? Just stop and hear it..."Sail Away Sail Away Sail Away"

I have decided that you are meant to have a religious experience as you gaze upon these bastions of Confederate glory! I tried to get video but my iPhone could not pick up the audio.

I really felt that this trek through the South would not be complete without a stop in Charleston, South Carolina the most Confederate of Confederate places, but alas I just couldn’t make it work. But I did stop in Greenville, South Carolina, home of the best vanilla ice cream in America. It was good but I don’t think I have met an ice cream I didn’t like. Greenville looks like a Southern town, complete with the man who was walking down the street with a bow tie and summer suit! It was a lovely place to visit and spend the afternoon.

I ate dinner in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Thanks again to Jen for another wonderful recommendation! Spanky’s had a fantastic brie and tomato chutney burger – mmmm good stuff! It was really a great day and a beautiful drive through the South!

Off to Philly via Virginia…

Miles Traveled So Far: 4073.6

Movies: To Kill a Mockingbird, Fried Green Tomatoes, Inherit the Wind

Best Sign of the Day: Bridgewater... if you lived here you'd be home!