Claytor Lake was created in 1940 on the New River (actually one of the five oldest rivers in the world, geographically). To begin our morning, strolling its shoreline was pretty spectacular.

Mid-stroll, we visited the Haven B. Howe House, a historic home located on the lakeshore. It was built between 1876 and 1879, and is a two-story, brick dwelling with Italianate style detailing. The property was conveyed to the Virginia Conservation Commission in 1947. The house is now used as a Nature Exhibit Center that focuses on the lake’s wildlife habitat.
And I found a new favorite fish to like.

We came to town specifically for the Oktoberfest, a three-day, outdoor festival featuring three stages of non-stop live entertainment ranging from traditional polka to rock & roll, two beer gardens, amusement rides and carnival games, a juried arts and crafts show, and hundreds of food and commercial vendors.

We saw very few people dressed for the event. Needless-to-say, we loved the fact that we brought our costumes all the way from California and wore them proudly.

This was the best use of a horse trailer, if you didn't have a horse, we have ever seen.


Having been in Hickory for three days, it was time for us to move on, but not before a visit to Bunker Hill Covered Bridge (1895). It is the only remaining example, in wood, of the Improved Lattice Truss patented by General Herman Haupt and one of only two covered bridges left in the state (out of hundreds).
Originally constructed as an open span, the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge, whose roof is ninety-one feet long, was covered in 1900. In 1921, its wooden shingles were replaced with a tin roof. (Bridges were covered to protect their timbers from the elements; travelers enjoyed a reprieve from rain and snow only as a consequence).
Sadly, this 121 year old, one-of-a-kind bridge, of great engineering significance, is completely covered with graffiti inside.
Haupt, in his own right, was a pretty interesting guy. He was an American civil and railroad construction engineer and executive. A Union Army General, he played a key role in the American Civil War, during which he revolutionized U.S. military transportation, particularly the use of railroads. As history buffs, it was pretty incredible to walk over the last such bridge of his design.
As you probably have discovered, I love to stop for State Signs (when safe and sometimes when not so safe).
We popped into the Visitor's Center to arm ourselves with Virginia information. The gals working the desk asked to take our photo for their facebook page. Since I don't do facebook, someone will have to let me know if this image is on it. I guess we were rather unique. Fun stuff.
Tonight were are staying in Claytor Lake State Park Campground. I love the motto, "Virginia State Parks are a tonic for the Mind, Body and Spirit." 

There exists a long list of things we miss about not being in Tahoe. Thankfully we have friends who like to share, and this is a pretty cute story from Jenny.

"We headed out the door to go to Taylor Creek and see if the Kokanee and bears are there. But, before we got in the car, a bear goes walking by in front of our house!  So we follow it to a neighbors, where it climbs a maple tree and chows down on leaves for a while."
"Bob realizes that the apple tree across the street is loaded, and worries that the bear might start eating them too...so, Bob starts picking apples while the bear is still in the maple tree."
"What happened next was so funny...the bear comes down to Bob's apple picking tree, rubs his butt against it (marking his territory?)."
"and shows Bob how to realllly pick apples.  He reaches up, and shakes a bunch down, then looks up as if telling Bob, "See?  that's how it's done!"  ha ha".
Bob & Jenny are like wild animal 'whisperers'. It's fun to be a part of their own private National Geographic.

Steve is standing at the birthplace of this town, well what's left of it. In the 1850s, under a huge hickory tree, Henry Robinson built a tavern of logs. The city of "Hickory Tavern" was established in 1863, and the name was eventually changed to the city of Hickory in 1873.

The community of Hickory was the first for many things in North Carolina. It was one of the first towns to install electric lights in 1888; build a complete sewage system in 1904; and run on the council-manager form of government it adopted in 1913.
A must was a visit to The Harper House. Built in 1887 by Daniel Webster Shuler, who founded Hickory’s first bank. The Harper Family, the last of seven families to occupy it, was by far the longest residents—from 1923. The Harpers’ long stay was also providential, for each of the three generations appreciated the house’s architectural significance, preserving the foyer’s carved, coffered ceiling and intricate stained-glass window; the parquet floors of the dining room and grand parlor; the ornate brass-work of the heavy doorknobs, sashes, keyplates, and many sets of pocket doors; the piano-grade cherry of the staircase with two landings and the dining room’s carved wainscoting, as well as the numerous silhouettes of family friends on the walls of the attic, where Mr. and Mrs. Harper, Sr. entertained during Prohibition.

A hipped roof with lower cross gables, the Harper House’s exterior is composed of classic Queen Anne features: irregular massing, half-timbered gables, differing wall textures, including pebbledash and scalloped wooden shingles, a full-width porch extending along two sides, as well as a second-story porch, and a tower with stained-glass windows.

The Harper House was purchased by Finley Harper owner of Harper Motor Company (ca. 1928). His was one of the first car dealerships in Hickory and one of the first Ford dealers in the state. Over the years the company earned a reputation as an honest, reliable business (hence being able to afford such an incredible home).
This was one of those buildings that intrigued me. Hosiery? According to the Register of Historic Places, Hollar Hosiery Mills building clearly illustrates the development of Hickory’s hosiery industry during the first half of the twentieth century. Hosiery production contributed significantly to the emergence of Hickory as one of the leading manufacturing cities in the Piedmont. In 1930, the city boasted seven hosiery mills. By the end of the decade, thirty-two hosiery plants operated in Hickory and employed roughly half of the city’s industrial work force. Interesting, right?
If the weather is as wet as expected, we may be visiting the inside of this place. The Carolina Theater opened Christmas Eve of 1934. The structure had state of the art sound projectors, with a seating capacity of 746, and also offered air conditioning, new at this time. It is now considered an enduring theater showing discounted 2nd-run films in a renovated space with character.

This was not something one sees in the middle of a town very often. This 210 MM Howitzer was captured in Germany, during WWI, and brought to America. The cannon was erected and dedicated on May 30th, 1927 after the American Legion Post 48 and the City funded $200 for the shipment of it from New Jersey. In front of the cannon sits a marker with an inscription that details the importance of the cannon and the memorial as a whole. Originally it was placed to honor those from the community who served in World War I. Later, it was rededicated to honor veterans from all wars who served their country.
I have a thing for trains, their depots and the nostalgia they evoke. Pair this one, originally built and used by Southern Railway (circa 1912), with a cool, old car and it just  screams, "Take a photo!" Neat little town!

As we travel, my job is to scope out where the fun is going to be and navigate Steve there. I did pretty well on this choice- NASCAR Night & Hauler Parade.

Part of what made the night extra special was the fact that we got to camp right across the street. How awesome was that?!

This was a fundraiser and the entrance fee was a donation to Speedway Children's Charities. It was also the kick off for Bank of America 500 weekend. Since the drivers' transport trucks (Haulers) have to be here today, they have organized their arrival as a parade. Because we are not familiar with NASCAR, this was a great introduction for us.

IHRA legend Roy Hill was giving dragster rides for a $150 donation. While we didn't partake, it was pretty awesome to watch.
Yes, even Charlotte Motor Speedway has a mascot. It's Lug Nut.
This drag strip is worth visiting due to its uniqueness. Built in 2008, zMAX Dragway is the world's only four-lane, all concrete drag strip. Located on the grounds of Charlotte Motor Speedway, it is known as the Bellagio of drag strips.
As the announcer introduced each of the Haulers, we "met" the NASCAR drivers associated with them.
Truck #18 belongs to Kyle Busch, 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. Got to love the M & M's.
This was the only time we would have the chance to see Tony Stewart's truck, as he is retiring at the end of this race season.
Jimmie Johnson grew up as a neighbor to a friend of ours in the SoCal town of El Cajon so I felt that I kind of knew him all these years.

So after the Haulers paraded away, it came time for the real show-"Street Racing". Dozens of racers came, in all kinds of vehicles (Jeeps, Teslas, vintage trucks, street bikes). The one that made me smile was this Mini Cooper.
It did surprisingly well. We were impressed.

This 17 second VIDEO of the start of first race was truly awesome. It was probably the most exciting part of the evening. Don't get me wrong, I loved this night. There were so many interesting parts to it. I was really impressed by the mature guy who went 176 MPH on a modified street bike. Sitting outside at a really cool place- Oh man, what a night!