Salem and Hillsville

I've settled in back at Salem Village Mobile Home Park. It's a beautiful park for Mobile Homes that allows a few RV's. This is where I parked from April to October last year. And where my Dad parked his Airstream in the late 1980's. So since I sold the house, it's become my Salem "home."

I rode the Honda to the "39th Annual VFW Gun Show and Flea Market" in Hillsville,VA. This little town of a few thousand grows to almost 500,000 over Labor Day Weekend. We sold there for the past 34 years. This year I decided not to set up. But I had to go and see the friends that we'd made over all those years.







One family in particular. Imogene Barnes is a local woman who sold Pinto Beans and Cornbread from a little booth in front of her house for years. Every Monday, starting in 1971, she would come down with her daughter, and buy some dolls. Cindy, who was 6 that year, had a rare childhood illness and we never knew each year if she would still be with us when we returned the next year. But she received an experimental treatment and grew to be a very beautiful young lady. Met the man of her dreams and got married. The Dr's said because of all the chemo and radiation she had received that she would never be able to have children. Then 5 years ago - surprise - along came Sarah.

When Cindy showed up at our booth 4 years ago with a baby in her arms, there were no dry eyes within 100 feet. So our customer base grew to 3 generations of Hillsville ladies. And I've been back, just once a year to enjoy their true southern hospitality. What a great family ! Thank you, Mike for your patience while I hug the necks of your wife and daughter !








And even though I didn't sell this year, I paid for next year - which must be done at the show to reserve the same space for next year - just in case. I don't know if I'll want to sell there again, but I'll spend a little bit of money to keep my options open.

On the ride home I got on the Blue Ridge Parkway


and had a marvelous time until dusk when the deer came out. They sure look BIG when I'm on the Honda. I felt I was running a gauntlet for a few miles until an exit appeared and I could get off onto a regular highway. Lesson learned. Don't plan on riding the parkway at or after dusk. I think it would have been uncomfortable in a car. It was REALLY SCARY on the bike.

I'm still waiting for pictures from Myrtle Beach and the wedding. But y'all will be the first to see them when they finally arrive. So keep checking back.