Day Two: Robbinsville, NC to Huntsville, AL. – 263.7 miles*
We were going to use the lovely Aiken County Public Library, in Our Fair City, for the Motoring Challenge because it is a lovely old building from 1890 that used to be the town’s high school. But today when we exited I-59 just inside the the Alabama line to start our back road drive to Huntsville and stopped at a quick stop to get some cold drinks, we knew that that was going to change.
As I pulled into park, I stayed to the right, to stop in front of the little strip shopping center away from the gas pumps and any other cars. Donna looked and noticed that we were right in front of the town’s library, we knew right away this was going to be our library photo. And to add icing to the cake, 10 seconds after we pulled to a stop, a small red pickup truck parked right next to us. The passenger door opened and a guy got out just so he could let the middle seat passenger could get out to go into the quick stop. Then he got back in and the driver hopped out to go inside too. After just having been in downtown Chattanooga with its young hipsters, these deep down southerners were quite the culture shock.
If you are ever in downtown Chattanooga, perhaps going to the Tennessee Aquarium, and it is lunchtime, walk across the pedestrian only Walnut Street Bridge to the northshore area and find TACO•nooga. Both Donna and I can personally recommend the Carnita Tacos. While you are there, order a Coke and you will get a bottle imported from Mexico where they still use real cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup.
Four points for the Motoring Challenge today; one state, Alabama and three destinations, Aquarium, Library and Botanical Gardens.
The Emperor passed through the 139,000 mile mark just outside Etowah, Tennessee.
*Pre-drive Google Maps estimate: 240 (-23.7) – Total miles so far: 569.6
Miata Top Transitions since 10/24/08: 1335