July 22 thru 24

We spent a few nights in Marion NC, in a very nice campground down in the valley, right next to a river. I know a few of you know how much Liz likes the sound of a river flowing. Well with all the rain they have had down here, she got her fill. The video here is of the river 10' below and about 2' behind our camper. Liz took Jet down to play one day. Jet likes to bite at the waves when we go to lakes (wonder what will happen when we take her to Cape Hatteras)!The campground is kind of unique. It is a combination driving range and campground, with a field in the center that the owner allows RC airplanes to take off and land in!

I forgot to report that we picked up a lag screw on the Blue Ridge Parkway,so we had a tire to get fixed, and Marion was  good size city to accomplish this. There was a good tire dealer who fixed the tire one day and we plan to stop on the way out and have him remount on the trailer. The side of the building on the right is at the Waldensian museum in Valdese NC. Vladese  was one of my frequent stops when I was traveling while working at Dexmet. It is where Duracell had a plant that they sold to Saft. I had heard that Valdese was founded by a group of people that fled Europe in the late 1800's, and always intended to find out more about them, but never had time while working. Since one of the purposes of these trips is to more fully explore areas that I had visited before, we stopped here.

 

The Waldensians were Christians from the area between what is now between Switzerland and Italy. Being good Europeans they spoke French. The Roman Cathollic Church persecuted them, and many other Christian sects who did not follow Catholic rules. The first house here is a replica of a Waldensian house/barn from the steep Alpiann valleys. These people lived deep in these valleys to protect them from the Romans. After a centuries long battle, they finally got thier freedom, but the economy in Europe was in depression. They heard of  North Carolina, and came over. Waldese became Valdese, and they lived and prospered here by growing wheat, baking, bread, and making wine. I have oversimplified their story here, but it is one of true faith, & fighting for what one believes is right. If you'd like to learn more:http://www.waldensiantrailoffaith.org/ will do it!