Up at 7 to head to New Jersey for some candy to take to Kennesaw Georgia.   It’s a nasty rainy day.   Now it really feels like fall.  Sure would love a fireplace right about now.  If it gets any colder Greg is going to cry.  Haha 

Well, I didn’t get a shower last night. Because we stopped at this truck stop that was weird.  As Greg mentioned yesterday the truck stops or gas stations run by gas station Indians (not casino Indians) are usually nasty.   Their idea of hygiene and clean bathrooms are different than most Americans I believe.   Anyway, the shower I so badly wanted last night didn’t happen because they were not private.   They had 5 shower stalls in a row but the door to each shower only came up about halfway up the wall so basically anybody walking by could just look over the door.   They had a shower in the women’s bathroom but it was the same way so anybody coming in the bathroom could look if they so desired.  So, no thanks.   This place was pretty quiet but I still didn’t want to take the chance.   So tonight we will be stopping somewhere with a shower!! 

Got to our stop on time but need a wash out so heading down the road a bit and coming back.   

That was an experience.   The old guy running the place was German.  What a hoot! 

This Mars didn’t give away any samples.  Said they used to but they found out a trucker was getting them free and selling them at a truck stop.   One spoilsport is all it takes.   I did get a free cup of delicious Dove hot chocolate though.  

Virginia 

Stopped in Raphine, Virginia for dinner. Sign advertised “best dang barbecue”.  It was good.   It’s not the best but it was good.   They had Carolina and Texas style which was nice.  Don’t see the Carolina very often.   Everybody wants the sweet Texas style.   We got used to the vinegar bite of the Carolina barbecue and love it.    This needed a bit more vinegar and a kick to be real Carolina but it was good.   We used to go to “pig pickins” in North Carolina.    The pig was put in the ground for a couple of days and then you just pick the meat out with tongs.  Then you poured your sauce on it.  Meat was so tender it almost fell out of the pig.    Then we’d have Brunswick stew and hot hush puppies that you dipped in butter.   Ok.  We’re taking a side trip to North Carolina.    I wish!  

 
Gregory sent me a pretty picture of two of my babies.  

Ahhhh.   Shower!   And laundry.  Now to sleep.   Still have about 8 hours to go to get to stop tomorrow.  

Goodnight y’all.  

DG:  Yea, the German guy, Andre. He is 74, has an accent but it was his parents who came from Germany. He was born here. Never been to Germany. I told him he would like it. Anyway, he runs the truck&trailer washout/ repair place down the road from the M&M plant. It’s where they send you if your trailer is not clean. And mine was not. I pull in, get out of my truck and this old man comes walking out of this little out building yelling at me to turn that damn truck around and get it out of here. I tell him he’s a very nice fella for a Yankee and we both get a good laugh out of it. He tells me he drove a truck for 42 years before working at this place and gives several examples of how crazy the commercial trucking business is these days and the inexperienced drivers that come through his establishment not mentioning that I’m one of those inexperienced drivers. We had a good chat. It was a good experience. 

Loaded with 43000 pounds of M&Ms and Twix. Candy for the little trick or treaters. 

As Annie mentioned, the BBQ was good but not “Best Darn” of anything. But good. They were doing a good business so some folks think it’s the best. Might be the best around them parts. 

Okay, time to turn in. God bless.