Tuesday, April 27th - The day started with a visit to the Richard Petty Museum in Randleton, North Carolina. Never having been interested in auto racing we were a little apprehensive about this tour. The museum, however, was an eye-opener to the family and career of Richard Petty. Four generations of Pettys have been race drivers beginning with Lee Petty, Richard’s father. While the museum was quiet about it, Lee Petty got his start in souping up cars during prohibition days when he was running moonshine. Deciding that this illegal activity was no way to live, he started applying his racing talent to the racetrack. So doing, he compiled fifty some victories a record broken by his son Richard. Richard won 200 victories in his career, and his son Kyle and grandson Adam continued to make racing history with NASCAR.
All the cars Richard was driving at significant points in his career are displayed in the museum - the most significant being the one in which he won his 200th victory. Before taking its present place, it was displayed in the Smithsonian Institute for a couple of years. The car in which he won the most victories is there. The car he was driving in his last race is also there. It caught fire during the race and was one of the few races which he didn’t finish. He says he finished in a blaze of glory.
There are many other things displayed there - lots of racing trophies, motorcycles, a collection of guns, his wife’s doll collection, a collection of watches and knives. The guns are all collector’s items with serial numbers. He collected guns with his racing number 43. There are also collections of sports memorabilia signed by star players such as Mickey Mantle, Lou Gehrig, etc., and pictures made with movie stars and presidents. It was a well lighted, large room and well worth the visit.
The more attractive tour came after lunch when we visited the Victory Junction Gang Camp outside of town. Adam Petty, Richard’s grandson, was killed in 2000 in a racing accident. His compassion for seriously ill children led his parents and grandparents to establish this camp in Adam’s memory. The 64 acre facility is beyond imagination. Their mission is “to enrich the lives of children with chronic medical conditions by providing life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically sound environment.” Every building is brightly colored and has an auto racing theme. The cottages are all named for a famous racetrack. The children have the choice of acting, archery, athletics, boating, bowling, ceramics, climbing, fishing, horseback riding, miniature golf, nature programs, painting, photography, music, singing, swimming, woodworking and more. Most of the workers are volunteers, and all of the buildings have been donated by generous individuals, foundations, corporations like WalMart, Lowes, Home Depot, and race drivers. The children and their families participate for free. This place is amazing, and the tour changed our image of the Petty family and of NASCAR
For those reading this, be advised that we are having trouble with our email. It appears that we will not be able to send or receive email until we get back home.
Wednesday, April 28th - Pots and Potters and Potteries and Potters Galleries..... This area of North Carolina known as Seagrove has more of them than any other place in the world, so they claim. There are nearly 100 shops and galleries scattered around displaying the production of the many potters. It would take a couple of weeks to see all of them, but we had time to visit three - the Ben Owen Pottery, the Original Owens Pottery, and the Phil Morgan Pottery. Every imaginable shape, color and design are produced here. Most of the potteries are simple cottage industries with their kilns in their backyards.
This handcraft began in the Seagrove area over 200 years ago, and many of the potters are 4th, 5th and 6th generation artisans. Those that began the tradition back in the 1700s came from England and Germany, picking this area because of the abundance of the right kind of clay. It’s amazing that there is a market for so many of these beautiful items, and that so many people can earn a good living doing this.
Ben Owen III at the Ben Owen Pottery is a 4th generation potter and may be the most successful of the bunch. He’s considered a “master” at his trade. His beautiful home next to his shop and kilns attests to his success. The Original Owens Pottery claims to be the oldest continuous producer. We were shown a old kiln they only fire up now twice a year that makes only whiskey jugs. It was built and used back before and during prohibition. Those jugs had to have a special blend of clay and salt and had to be fired at almost twice the temperature of the modern decorative bowls and stuff. Phil Morgan has a small wheel in the corner of his shop and a kiln outside. His specialty is a crystalline glaze that he developed himself.
It was an interesting morning, followed by a good lunch at the Westmoor Family Restaurant. The afternoon was spent washing clothes - one of the necessary things whether on vacation or not.
A couple of days ago, I mentioned that we visited the old Pisgah Covered Bridge. There wasn't any marker there to tell anything about it, but I have since learned that it was built in 1911 at a cost of $40. The 51 foot bridge spans the west fork of the Little River in Randolph County.
Friday, April 30th - After a free day with Ann finishing the laundry and me just relaxing, we started this day with a caravan breakfast at a nearby restaurant called The Silos. We then joined the leaders in a trek eastward to Four Oaks, NC. Our assignment for the day was to assist the parking. The arrival window was from 3:00pm to 4:00pm. After all rigs were in camp, we gathered at the KOA's rec room for fellowship and snacks. A misunderstanding about the catered dinner turned out good. We were supposed to have a barbecued pig prepared on site, but it became a combination of fried chicken, tray of BBQ pork, and ribs served about a half hour late. Following the meal the Bowman family (Kay's daughter and family) brought dessert and her husband put on a juggling show. What a surprising treat!
Saturday, May 1st - We began this day with a visit to the Bentonville Battlefield, thesite of the largest Civil War battle in North Carolina. It was a last ditch, and futile effort by the Confederates to stop Sherman’s Army from proceeding north to join up with Grant’s Army. The battle took place over a six thousand acre field during three days in March, 1865, just 3 weeks before the South’s surrender at Appomattox Court House. What a waste! More than 4,000 men were reported killed, wounded, or missing during the three days.
After a short movie, an interpreter led us on a tour around the battlefield, explaining the maneuvers of both armies as they fought. Then we visited the Harper House, a two-story private home commandeered by the Federals for a field hospital. The eleven members of the Harper family stayed upstairs while their four rooms downstairs became the hospital. Six hundred men were treated during the battle, but only those with non-fatal wounds. The rest just had to suffer their fate untreated out in the yard.
The house and the battlefield is maintained as a State Historic Park. Restoration is a work in progress as appropriate markers are being set as they find significant spots. The site of Confederate General Joe Johnstone,s headquarters is marked, as is the site of Union General Sherman’s headquarters.
Then we drove up to Smithfield for a sumpuous lunch at the Hibachi Grill, a Chinese restaurant with an unbelievable array of food. Following lunch we went to the downtown Smithfield site of the Ava Gardner Museum. The movie star of the 1940s and 1950s was born near Smithfield.
The museum portrays the life and loves of Ava Gardner who was born in 1922 and died in 1990. She made movies with Gregory Peck, Clark Gable, Grace Kelly, Burt Lancaster, and others of that era. She was married to Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw, and Frank Sinatra, and had relationships with Howard Hughes, Ernest Hemmingway, and others. To escape the pressure of Hollywood, she moved to Spain in 1955, then to London where she died of pneumonia. Many of her gowns and other artifacts are displayed at the museum.
With temperatures today reaching 90 degrees, air conditioners are all running. It's been a long time since experiencing that.
