For those of you who might not know...
Andy Griffith passed away today.
He was just one more piece of Americana that is slipping away.
I was extremely fond of him and all that he represented.
On October 10, 2010 we posted the following blog and I think that
today would be a good day to repost it.
Do you recognize this car?
Ok let me warn you right off. I'm feeling a bit nostalgic today so I might start waxing philosophical.
One of the reasons for our visit here at Stone Mountain State Park was our desire to visit Mt. Airy, NC the birthplace and home of Andy Griffith. It was Mt. Airy that Andy used as the basis for Mayberry. Many of the places mentioned in the series - Floyds Barbershop, Snappy Luch, well they are right here in Mt. Airy.
I don't know about you, but I grew up watching Andy, and Opie, Aunt Bea, Helen and of course Barney Fife. There was always a lesson to learn, and a value to be gleaned from each and every show. Tolerance, Compassion, Responsibility.... it had them all. We might not have realized it then, but looking back it's hard not to see.
It was a special place and time. Those of us who were able to live then, and share in that special place were truly blessed.
They say you cant go back home - and I for one am a believer in that. Try as I have, I've learned that lesson the hard way. So todays adventure - while not truly going back to that place and time, at least was a fond remembrance.
Our Day in Mayberry started with Lunch at Snappys and of course that means their Pork Chop Sandwich with the works. This is not a meal for the faint of heart. This is not Nouveau Cuisine. No this is good old down home Southern Cooking with all the cholesterol that you can handle. But boy was it good! They say this place is unchanged since Andy sat here as a young boy and the recipe is the same.
Walking the streets with the Doodles is always good for meeting people, and while Kate went in and out of all the stores, I stroked my Doodles on Main St and got to meet all the local characters. I have to tell you, one deputy who called him self Barney wanted to give me a ticket (just for fun) and one other gent who was the spitting image of Don Knotts in his later years stopped to welcome us to town and tell us how glad he was that we were here.
I have to say this just might be the friendliest town that we have ever been to and we've been to some friendly ones.
Several times we saw the Mayberry Squad Car drive by. There were several of them. Ford Galaxy 500's. I don't have a clue to what the year is but they are the real deal.
On the way out of town we stopped by the Andy Griffith Museum where they have this bronze statue out front. Remember the opening scene where Andy & Opie walk hand in hand to the "fishing hole". Well here it is preserved for all time.
It was a great day with alot of fond memories. Thanks Mayberry.
Back at the State park, I just had to show you a picture of the road with all the Rhododendrons everywhere. This place is just loaded with them. We have to come back here when they are blooming. It has to be out of this world!
