Woke up bright and early, about 7a, to finish packing and all that jazz. Ate some cinnamon buns we had in the fridge. Set out just after 10a to meet my parents at Wilber’s BBQ just east of Goldsboro, NC. We had intended to eat at the Skylight Inn in Ayden. The very limited menu (BBQ on a plate or bun, with or without slaw — that’s IT) made us reconsider. No way some in the family would stand for that.
Go to Wilber’s about 11:45a, about fifteen minutes late. My parents and son had unfortunately gotten there much earlier, as it had taken far less time than what Google Maps had advertised. Anyhow, we all ordered, the food (BBQ plate with double potato salad for me, BBQ plate with potato salad and butter beans for the wife, chicken for the kids, BBQ and chicken for my parents with butter beans) came quickly and was good. I personally prefer Danny’s potato salad as it is mayonnaise based but it’s all good. The butter beans were a particular hit with everyone.
Wilber's BBQ in Goldsboro, NC. Yum!
About 1p we finished and went out to say our goodbyes to my parents and load Addison and hist stuff (and some binoculars and scopes dad let me borrow) into the car. It was infernally hot. Nearly 100F already (it would hit 108F near Richmond later in the afternoon — but the car runs about three to five degrees warm) and it wasn’t a very dry heat.
Took I-795 up to I-95 all the way up to Washington, D.C. Did get to go past that awesome train station in central Richmond. We did hit some bad traffic near Fredericksburg and I-495 around Washington was bad. Narrow lanes, frequent shifting of lanes, concrete barriers for construction, the works. We ate some McDonalds before hitting D.C., though, so at least we weren’t starving and frustrated with driving — just frustrated. I-95 is just not fun.
Beautiful Old Rail Station, Richmond, VA
Turned on to I-270 and encountered far less traffic for the remaining thirty miles or so until Frederick, MD. Staying in a Holiday Inn near Francis Scott Key mall. It’s OK, I guess. A place to rest our heads. A younger me would punch through and do Raleigh to Niagara Falls, Ontario in one day but that’s just not worth it anymore.
We ate at the Double TT Diner near the mall. I’m a bit confused as to whether it is two Ts as the symbol indicates or a two sets of two Ts — the TTTT Diner. Regardless, it was pretty good fare, if a bit expensive. Most of us had breakfast-like items, I had the chicken fried steak and over-easy eggs with home fries. Not bad at all. Also at the mall was a Borders with a “Going out of business” banner — sad times. If it weren’t for the Nook and their game sales B&N would probably not be far behind. This recession sure has taken a lot of places we loved from us (several restaurants in particular).
Touring Gettysburg NMP in southern Pennsylvania tomorrow and then driving on to Niagara Falls.
Route for July 23, 2011