Day 1 - Columbia, SC to Reidsville, NC

Yesterday morning dawned crisp and cloudy. We finished putting the last of the items on the rumble seat area. It was so full, we couldn't close the lid. No worry a couple of bungee cords and we were all set.

We pulled out of the drive at 7 AM. We made our way into Columbia to meet the rest of our group. After a quick stop for gas, three of our group of four A's were ready to roll. I put a few items into the truck , closed the rumble seat lid and we were off to meet the last of our group headed to Reidsville.

The day went well, as we had no problems. Garmin, our handy nav system, took us up the back roads as we drove along.  Lunch was enjoyed by all. Most of us got chili to warm up with. The sun still hadn't made an appearance, so everyone was a bit chilly.

By noon, we had well progressed into NC, skirting Charlotte and driving through Thomasville and High Point. Most of the furniture manufacturing has been moved off shore to the orient, so these beautiful old towns are not so thriving anymore.

We arrived in Reidsville close to 4 and checked into our motel. Soon, we were back in our cars headed for the downtown area. Very little was open And most of the Main Street buildings were empty. Signs of a failing town.

Reidsville is the home of Lucky Strike cigarettes. With the decline in smokers over the years, the factory has seen better days. They still produce cigarettes here, but not at the capacity of the 60's and 70's.   there is another corporation here, Ball. They make metal containers at this plant.

Dinner was enjoyed by all of us at The Celtic Fringe. It is an eclectic Irish pub. The food was great!

John and Twila Cockerill

John and Happy Begg

Cheryl and Danny Austin

Bill and Fay Prince

Then it was back to the motel for- hopefully a good nights sleep. Today, we will make our way to Charlottesville, VA, less than 200 miles up the road.