For our last Mt. Airy evening...

.....we just got back from the epitome of North Carolina BBQ. World BBQ Champs, Lexington BarBeQue in Lexington, NC. Something to do after our enjoyable concert at the Main Street Cinema this morning after breakfast. We got to see two acts: The Buffalo Creek String Band, which did some cool "Red Fiddle" songs, including some real honky tonk; and then the sweet tones of the Chords of Faith, and now we know how to call upon Jesus, AMEN !!!! It was free, exceptn' if you wanted pop corn or coke, which we certainly did not after that breakfast.

So, we wandered around Mayberry Main Street for one last time, and then got in the car for the 1 hour ride to Lexington. Brand new BBQ experience. This was sliced pork shoulder, which had been smoked for 14 hours being mopped with NC Lexington sauce. This is a nearly clear liquid heavy with pepper and vinegar. Mel absolutely loved it, and he loved the onion rings, hushpuppies and Q slaw (no mayo, just more of that pepper vinegar), and he really loved the starter tray of fried pork skins. The original chicarrones, says former Judge Grossman. Mrs. G (that's nana---me) enjoyed a cookhouse steak (pounded thin and fried, of course) sandwich, also with that great vinegar sauce and cole slaw. I shared the rings, puppies and mine came sitting on a small lettuce and tomato salad. We ate about as much as we could (about half), and then magically found room for a holy crap homemade cherry cobbler. I learned a lot from that cobbler, and my next one will be like this one, I hope. Coke for Dad; unsweet tea for me, and then a ride back that included a stop for photos of Mount Pilot (just like in the TV show)---a not too tall, but very cool mountainette. :)

It's about 6 now, and we just got back to the room---still very full and kind of tired. We'll be fine for cookies in about an hour, with some coffee or tea, and then we'll pack so we can leave right after what I'm sure will be another award winning breakfast.
It warmed up to about 43 today, but the sun was out and it didn't feel too bad, with our ski jackets and scarves on. I think we probably looked like south Floridians in the cold.
Since we can't use the computer and the TV at the same time, I'll end now, and pick up tomorrow evening, after we check in at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville. The gingerbread houses are already there, waiting for the final competition in the National Gingerbread House Contest. We'll have lots of pix of that.

We love you all very much and miss you, and think about you with everything we do and eat.
LOVE TO YOU ALL. BBQ BOB and BETTY ! :) xoxoxoxoxo