Today was long and filled with successful adventures and challenges.
Our initial excellent impression of Cedar Break was severely damaged when we realized that the Men’s bath house had four sinks – but all of the mirrors had been removed. For Tom, that meant that he shaved “blind”. For Scott, it meant that he left stubble on the face for another day.
Reviewing options for the area, Tom mentioned that we would be going through Chattanooga, Tennessee on the way to our next stop in Huntsville. When we were last there, we went through Ruby Falls, but passed a sign for The International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame & Museum. At the time, Scott wished that we had an opportunity to visit it, but we skipped it. This trip, it was mere minutes off the route on the way to the next campsite. No way would we let it go by again.
Nice museum – lots of antique and interesting tow trucks, and a nice introductory video. We learned a lot. However, when Scott pointed out a minor typo in one of the explanatory signs the manager on duty did not seem concerned. Which of course, most of us would shrug off the error and the lack of concern, but not Scott.
Next museum was a factory store for Lodge Museum of Cast Iron – kinda a company museum that was the Cast Iron Pan version of the Bush Beans Visitor’s Center we visited in a previous OWGRV. Good explanation of all things Lodge, how cast-iron pans are made, and how wonderful the company is to their employees. This was fun and informative as well. The museum is fronted by a company store where you can buy all things cast iron. The website said the museum was $10/person, which included $10 off any purchase over $50. The company store was full, as was the onsite restaurant. However, the museum was pretty deserted, and there was no one selling – or taking- tickets so we just decided it was free on Sundays and walked past the open gate to the museum section.
We then drove to our first two-night stay at Cathedral Caverns State Park. Here we encountered another senior moment when Scott could not find the Starlink – must have left it in Florida, or maybe somewhere in Pennsylvania. The previous two campsites had both adequate wifi, and good cellphone service (which we could use for wifi using our phones as hotspots.) This site had limited though workable-in-an-emergency wifi. Fortunately, Scott remembered that they sold Starlink at Walmart, Home Depot and other retailers. We searched for a Walmart that had one in stock, and for $249 (plus Alabama sales tax) and an hour or so later we were back at the campsite setting it up and activating it. 1/2 hour later it was operational and our internet cravings sated.
For dinner, we planned to meet John and Elaine Hubbard – dear friends from Bentley Systems and early VideoRay days – for dinner. We had last seen them in 2023 on our West of 95 trip, where in addition to a great time they recommended sites such as Enterprise Alabama . We reminisced for a while and lamented the loss of the Space and Rocket Center campground, and got advice on where we should go this trip. We ate a delicious meal at Domaine South , then enjoyed a close-up view of the impressive Big Spring next to the restaurant. A great evening. Unfortunately, we forgot to take a group photo.