GYPSY BLOG - OUT AND ABOUT
June 29, 2009 - Out and About in Old Salem - Ollie's Bakery
And this is what I have to deal with when I'm on the road. Other temptations I can usually fight off, but when I'm in the Old Salem area of Winston-Salem, I'm in auto-pilot on a direct course to Ollie's Bakery on South Marshall.
It figures that in the city where Krispy Kreme doughnuts were founded there would be an array of shops featuring tantalizing treats to tempt my tastebuds, but Ollie's is the one stop I always have to make. For more info: Ollie's
photo: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
June 25, 2009 - Happy Birthday Oscar!
Yep, another member of the Muttley Crew is celebrating a birthday! Oscar, my beagle / border collie mix, came to me from a Pennsylvania forest when he was only five weeks old. Oscar turns 4 today (his real birth date) and we're celebrating with a trip the to beautiful North Carolina coast. We'll also do the pet shop toy run and grab a creamy, once-a-year treat (see entry for 6/21), followed by the traditional "Dog Party" with his family.
Oscar is also a seasoned traveler, racking up miles along the east coast and in Canada. Sometimes he's so happy to be somewhere that the beagle side gets the better of him and he starts to bark like mad, but he stops when he's told (most of the time). Of course, that doesn't stop the wildly wagging tail, but seeing this happy boy enjoy himself is one of the best parts of the trip.
Loving an animal is rewarded ten-fold. If you are able and willing to open your heart and home to a pet in need, please visit your local shelter or rescue group. You'll never regret it.
photo of Oscar: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
June 23, 2009 - Out and About along the Pottery Highway - Route 705
One of the things North Carolina is famous for is pottery. Seagrove, North Carolina is pottery central with many studios located in the area. Route 705, aptly named the Pottery Highway, is a scenic road that winds through farmland and takes you in to Seagrove proper. Peppered with potter's studios along the way, particularly as you get closer to the town, travelers can stop and see some of the finest works of art in the state.
Also in Seagrove is the North Carolina Pottery Center, a museum with a mission to "promote public awareness and appreciation of the history, heritage, and ongoing tradition of pottery making in North Carolina." With a permanent collection of more than 800 pieces of pottery, artifacts, and photographs, as well as changing exhibits and events, it is definitely worth a stop while you're there.
For more information about the North Carolina Pottery Center, Click Here
photo: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
June 21, 2009 - Happy Birthday Beemer, Happy Summer Solstice, & Happy Father's Day!
Sometimes you just have to look at a photo of a happy dog to make your day (no, he does not have an underbite). Beemer, my border collie, turned 5 today* and we spent it doing doggie things around Durham. He was found wandering a busy county highway in PA when he was three months old and taken to an animal shelter where I met him two weeks later. Nobody came to claim him so I was able to adopt him on the spot. He has been a super dog and wonderful family member ever since.
Beemer is a seasoned traveler, having been all over the east coast and parts of Canada with me. He is also the top dog in my Muttley Crew (see About Us & Pet Friendly Places sections on this site). After a trip to the pet store to pick out a toy of his choosing (no, he couldn't have the live chinchilla or a bird), we stopped at Goodberry's for a doggie dish of frozen vanilla custard (I topped w/ a biscuit), and then picked up his doggie brothers and human Dad to go to their favorite park.
I can think of no greater love than sharing your heart and home with an animal in need. If you are able and willing to do so, please visit your local shelter or rescue group. *When I met the pup, my vet (and the shelter vet) figured his age approximately and guessed his birthday to be sometime during this week. Being a fan of the summer solstice, I thought it would be the perfect day to celebrate my sweet dog's arrival into this world by making June 21 his official birthday.
photo of Beemer: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
June 18, 2009 - Out and About in Henderson, NC
Spent a good part of the day in Henderson, not far from the Virginia State Line on the eastern part of the state. Rode through the older section of town and then stopped by the Tourism Office. Very nice man there, Norm, was helpful and answered some questions I had about the area. If you're into recreation, Kerr (pronounced "car") Lake is a few miles north and has many camping, hiking, and recreation areas for visitors to enjoy.
Emrose Park is a small bright patch in Henderson's downtown area. I especially love the mural at the park entry. The fire station on Garnett Street, not far from the park, is a lovely building with a clock tower, something that seems to be in many of the historic centers of town in North Carolina. It always reminds me of the BACK TO THE FUTURE films with the wonderful old clock.
Located in Vance County, Henderson was officially charted in 1841, however, european settlers had been there since the 1700's.
Photo: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
June 14, 2009 - Great Little Road Trip - Durham / Rockingham / Seagrove / Winston-Salem Loop
Took a great little road trip this weekend and was pleasantly surprised by how nice the countryside was in the Piedmont / Sandhills area. Started from Durham down 15/501 to Pittsboro, then south on 1 to Southern Pines and Rockingham (have to do the speedway there sometime). Cut over to 220 to stop for a dish of super-delish homemade strawberry ice cream at The Berry Patch, a/k/a World's Largest Strawberry. Up 220 to cut over to 705, meandering through the Seagrove pottery region (great road). From Seagrove, drove over to Winston-Salem and stayed the night at the newly renovated Holiday Inn Express (formerly a Comfort Inn), Haven't been in such a nice room in a long time - love the bathroom sink fixtures and the gorgeous granite counter and desk tops. Poked around Old Salem and then ate at a delish Thai / Japanese place before calling it a (long) day.
Next day was full, back to Old Salem area, then it was off to Kernersville to see the Strangest House in the World. Finally moving on to Greensboro to walk around the quiet historic district downtown (it was later Sunday). Ended up back in Durham late Sunday evening. A very do-able weekend trip that doesn't tire you out. The southern portion was a last minute add-on, and well worth it (not super long drive time either). Roads were great and scenery pretty with all of the farmlands in the area.
Photo: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
June 9, 2009 - Stormy Weather
The first three years we were in North Carolina, we knew that we were in the middle of a drought, but didn't realize how bad it really was. That became evident during country drives when we saw how burned and brown the crops were, and when flying over the state looking down on dry river beds. Thankfully, the rains came late last year and haven't stopped since. Some days when the sky is gray, I wonder if I'm in Seattle! The best news is that the drought is no longer a threat and everything is lush and green.
Still, the weather has been behaving badly at times and clouds threatening to burst have me taking the Jeep most days instead of my fun little Z-3 convertible. Sometimes I brave it and see if I can beat the rain. This is a shot of the clouds overhead, taken from the topless Z-3 while waiting at a light during a drive in the Jordan Lake area. I made it home and covered the car without getting wet (by literally three minutes), winning this round. Next time, I might not be so lucky.
To find out more about the Jordan Lake area,
Click Here
Photo: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
June 4, 2009 - Things That Make You Go Hmmmm.....
Chances are good that I'll catch some flak for this, and I do try to be positive about things, but at the same time, I'm going to be honest here. Stopped at Royal India in Raleigh for their buffet lunch. Selected it because of their nice web site and decent reviews. Looks like lots of celebs and political movers & shakers have eaten there (including former presidents), but that might have more to do with its proximity to the capitol district in Raleigh.
I arrived a few minutes before the restaurant opened for lunch, there were only two other people waiting for the doors to open. Someone inside saw us there & unlocked the door, then walked away. If I hadn't seen him do it, then we would have stood there longer. Point is the guy didn't bother to open the door a crack and say "come on in". The restaurant is decorated nicely and smelled good. Photos of the owner with celebs hang along a wall in the back near the restrooms.
Either the guy there was having a crap day or the publicity has gone to his head because he had a major attitude (this was not the guy shown in the photos). He seated the two men and then put me right next to them (it was obvious we weren't together when we entered). The seat he gave me was very soiled, as if it had water damage. Other seats looked clean. Of all the other places available to sit, he couldn't offer me some space and a clean chair? He showed his annoyance with a disapproving look my way when I moved over one, but he didn't say anything. The place started to fill up after 15 minutes and the guy said a dead hello to some that were probably lunch regulars.
Lack of personality aside, the food was decent. By far not the best and it left a bit of a sour taste in my stomach for most of the afternoon (even after brushing my teeth), not pleasant. The naan bread was exceptional though. Perfect and fresh. Probably the best I've had in a long time. Buffet prices were reasonable and selection was okay, not great, for vegetarians, but that's typical for a lot of places. When I went to pay, the guy there barely answered me and didn't smile. Not to compare (okay, I am) but it's a far cry from the friendly people at Dale's and Sitar (both in Durham).
Maybe it was an off day. Let's hope so.
Photo: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
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