CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 David and I drove up to Mt. Airy, NC, this morning to order the veteran's grave marker and granite base for Dad. While we were there, we decided to do a little sightseeing. First I'd like to apologize for the poor quality of my pictures. I forgot to take my camera and had to use my phone. And we had heavy rain all day too. But since I know there are several Andy Griffith fans among the fiends, I thought you might like a little tour of Mayberry and the surrounding area. The show really put Mt. Airy on the map! Ever wonder what a granite quarry looks like? That looks like slabs of granite that have been mined and stacked. But it's actually a field of uncut granite. From there we drove just a few miles over to Ararat, VA, to see J.E.B. Stuart's birthplace. There's a nice picnic pavilion and a tiny visitor's center but no other structures. The fields are often used for civil war reenactments. From there we went to the monument store and took care of business. Then we finally went into downtown Mt. Airy. It's a quaint little town, much like thousands across the country -- but with a big exception. Andy and the gang are displayed EVERYWHERE! Notice the prices: For $25 you can get a 30-minute tour of Mt. Airy in Andy's car: Just in case you can't read the label, these are Aunt Bea's Kerosene Cucumbers: Otis' cell. Note the TV, the lamp, rocking chair, and flowers. And of course Otis' portrait on the wall: David trying to look mean: Up next: eating at Snappy's, visiting Floyd's barber shop, and more. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 Cool! I love Andy Griffith. This is fun to read. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 Thanks for posting this report, Gwen. I didn't know this place existed. And, I've never had a pork chop sandwich- so I really want to hear about that. TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alexwyattmommy 181 Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 This is so cool. We loved that show. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted May 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 Cool! I love Andy Griffith. This is fun to read. Dave, thanks for reading! Thanks for posting this report, Gwen. I didn't know this place existed. And, I've never had a pork chop sandwich- so I really want to hear about that. TCD Mayberry was a fictional town based on Mt. Airy, which was Andy's real hometown. Many of the references in the show were actually establishments in Mt. Airy (including Snappy's). And many places on the show, such as Floyd's barber shop, have since been added to Mt. Airy. Andy talked a lot about Mount Pilot, which is actually Pilot Mountain and close to Mt. Airy: http://www.ask.com/wiki/Pilot_Mountain_(North_Carolina)?o=2801&qsrc=999. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted May 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 This is so cool. We loved that show. Annie, thank you for reading too! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ftwildernessguy 778 Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 We pass by Mt Airy every time we go to the Mouse and I always tell my wife that we are going to stop someday. I have to put this on my bucket list. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted May 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 We pass by Mt Airy every time we go to the Mouse and I always tell my wife that we are going to stop someday. I have to put this on my bucket list. Please do! You won't be disappointed! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lou... 3,118 Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 Gwen, will you reclassify this as "not a trip report" so I can read it?BTW, did you take away David's razor and belt before you had him put in jail? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted May 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 Gwen, will you reclassify this as "not a trip report" so I can read it?BTW, did you take away David's razor and belt before you had him put in jail? No and no. Deal with it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ftwildernessguy 778 Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 Isn't it a pork chop sammich? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted May 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 Sorry, I keep trying to finish this mini TR and keep getting error messages. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Big Kahuna aka John 71 Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 I'm in.. This was on my bucketlist but we did stop in 2010. I loved the show and Mt. Airy was a great little town... Maybe retirement... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
michele j 9 Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 I'm in too. Looks like two more places to stop when we travel to Florida someday. Michele Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wdwpoohbear...Jennifer 40 Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 I'm in too! Looks like I have to put this place on my bucket list... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Judy in Texas 150 Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 What a fun stop on an otherwise sad day! Been a bit wet in NC this spring. Thanks for posting the pics. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 No and no. Deal with it. :thumbsup1: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 I'm in. I also didn't know that it existed. Thanks for posting. I love a good pork chop sammich. Can't wait to hear about it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brent... Just Brent 83 Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 I'm in! Great report so far. I haven't been there in years. Can't wait to read more. I bet not a lot has changed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted May 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 Isn't it a pork chop sammich? Sammich? I've never heard that word except for on FF. I'm in.. This was on my bucketlist but we did stop in 2010. I loved the show and Mt. Airy was a great little town... Maybe retirement... Glad you got to stop by! I'm in too. Looks like two more places to stop when we travel to Florida someday. Michele I'm in too! Looks like I have to put this place on my bucket list... You won't be disappointed! What a fun stop on an otherwise sad day! Been a bit wet in NC this spring. Thanks for posting the pics. Thank you for reading! Yes, it's been a bit wet. The neighbors are talking about building an ark. I'm in. I also didn't know that it existed. Thanks for posting.I love a good pork chop sammich. Can't wait to hear about it. You may be surprised over our reaction to the sandwich. I'm in! Great report so far. I haven't been there in years. Can't wait to read more. I bet not a lot has changed. Back in the 50's Mt. Airy was called Little Chicago because of all the constant murders. I've been told they had to do with the many bootleg whiskey operations there. But all that was cleaned out years ago, and now Mt. Airy is a pleasant, well-kept community. If Photobucket will cooperate, I'll finish this report up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted May 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 At this point we were hungry, so we stopped in at: This is the entire lunch menu -- and today's prices: People far and wide rave about the pork chop sandwich. I've heard about it for years. Snappy's is famous for it, according to their menu. So we had to order it. David's sandwich: Mine minus the bread (and I removed most of the breading covering the meat): The sandwich consisted of a breaded pork chop, chili, slaw, mustard, onions, and a tomato slice. Our opinions? The pork chop was very tender. The breading had no taste. The chili was so sweet that it was like eating a candy bar. Overall: :barf: . What a disappointment! Oh, well. At least we can say we've tried it. While we were eating, "Floyd" dropped in: Other photos inside Snappy's: Next door to Snappy's is Floyd's Barber Shop: While "Floyd" was in Snappy's he had "Otis" watching the shop: We also saw: There's also the Mayberry General Store, Mayberry Music Store, etc. All the shops sell Andy merchandise ... from photographs to cookbooks and everything in between. There's a lot more to see that we didn't have time for, such as two museums and several antique stores. The birthplace of Andy Griffith. Some great shopping is to be had, such as the Mt. Airy Emporium. But then there are also the junk stores that you see at all resort areas. We couldn't cover it all in half a day. There's a good campground close by: http://www.mayberrycampground.com/. It has the potential to be a great campground. But right now it has no pool and few activities. It was opened a few years ago by descendents of the famous Siamese twins Chang and Eng Bunker. Mt. Airy and the campground are near the Blue Ridge Parkway. The closest attractions on the Parkway are Mabry Mill (http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/v.php?pg=578) and Chateau Morrissette (http://thedogs.com/). We've been to both many times and highly recommend them. This would be a good long weekend trip or more. Plenty to see and do in the area! Thanks for reading along. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 I have to say, this trip report has a lot going on! Pork chop sandwiches that turn out to be disgusting. Andy Griffith memorabilia. Floyd and Otis imposters. Siamese Twins! You had quite a day. Thank you for sharing it with us. I hope that the veteran's marker turns out as you hope and is a fitting tribute for your Dad. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alexwyattmommy 181 Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 Thank you for bringing us and sharing your day with us. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 Great TR. thanks for sharing. I guess pork chop sammiches are regional thing. In oklahoma it's a whole smoked pork tenderloin sliced thick on a bun with bbq sauce, Head country bbq sauce to be precise) and the optional sliced onion. I would be honored if you'd share a picture of your dads marker. If its to personal I understand. As a fellow vet I thank him for his service. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 Great TR. thanks for sharing. I guess pork chop sammiches are regional thing. In oklahoma it's a whole smoked pork tenderloin sliced thick on a bun with bbq sauce, Head country bbq sauce to be precise) and the optional sliced onion. I would be honored if you'd share a picture of your dads marker. If its to personal I understand. As a fellow vet I thank him for his service. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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