We added some 230 miles on our trip South yesterday and arrived here with no problems – other than a malfunctioning GPS which had us circle around town a couple of times. I do believe “she” does it to us sometimes just for kicks! We call her “Tomasina” – the female version of a Tom-Tom GPS – and she has been known to bring us to the locked, back gate of a campground on occasion.
Mayberry Campground is located on a part of the former 2,000 acre farm belonging to Chang and Eng Bunker, famous Siamese twins of the 1800’s. The twins – forever conjoined – had a prosperous farm as well as 2 separate and prosperous families. They married 2 sisters and had 21 children between them. They kept 2 separate homes, alternating 3 days at each at each home.

There is an exhibit in Town about the lives and travels of the World-famous pair as well as another famous son, Andy Griffith. You can visit his boyhood home, the Andy Griffith Museum, Andy Griffith Playhouse and also stop in for a trim at Floyd’s Barbershop. Afterward you can have a look at Wally’s Service Station, have your picture taken in the Mayberry Jail (a faithful reproduction of the TV set) and then have the grand tour of Town in Andy’s squad car with a uniformed deputy.

Plan a visit to Mount Airy the last full weekend in September when each year everyone turns out for “Mayberry Days” with a parade and all things Mayberry and the TV show. You might well meet a couple of locals who are just spittin’ images of Barney and Otis!

Mayberry Campground has over 100 gravel sites with both back-ins and pull-throughs, full hook-ups, 30 and 50 Amp, free WiFi and free TV cable at every site. There are 2 catch-and-release ponds (no fishing license needed) and a Bunker homestead on the property that features tours on some weekends.
We had dinner last evening at “The Copper Pot”. We have eaten there in the past and enjoyed it. Real Southern home-cooking served by cheerful ladies with North Carolina accents so thick you almost need an interpreter. Good food and Great people – the feeling is real hometown friendliness.
Today we went into town to locate a new AC adapter for our Verizon MiFi. It started overheating all of a sudden which is not a good sign for longevity. Staples had what we needed thankfully – we just can’t go far without our computer world nowadays.
We also tried a new lunch spot suggested by the campground and backed by many good reviews on the Net. It’s called Little Richard’s Smokehouse BBQ. We like BBQ and have sampled it in about every State East of the Mississippi. This place is our new favorite for BBQ done right. Tender and juicy – slow cooked over hickory coals for 16 hours and truly finger lickin’ good. The sides are homemade as well. For sides we both tried the mac & cheese and turnip greens accompanied by a large basket of hush puppies. They have a soft drink – new to us – called “Cheerwine” which is cherry flavored and also tasty as were the warm blackberry cobblers we had for dessert with vanilla ice cream (of course!).

Tomorrow we continue on down the road to South Carolina.
So you did the Mt Airy thing again! You guys must love it there. I would like to go sometime. Chuck Dennehy has also been. In a recent âOur Stateâ mag (about NC) it featured the pork chop sandwich from The Snappy Lunch on the cover. Did you happen to try it? It looked good. The guy who came up with the recipe wanted to have a sandwich that people without teeth could eat. (!)
I canât believe youâve spent so much time in the south and never had Cheerwine!! We always had it as kids when we visited in NC. In fact, one year our parents allowed us to bring a case of it back home. We were in hog heaven. You are making my mouth water talking about all the yummy sides, BBQ, and hush puppies.
I remember reading about Chang & Eng. I wonder if any of their descendants live in the area? Looking forward to hearing about SC!
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Hi Sue,
Your last question first – The Mayberry Campground is owned by a Bunker descendant, either a son or grandson. I spent many years in the South with Uncle Sam and had never even heard of “Cheerwine” before. It is good – maybe I spent too much time with the other kind? I did have the pork chop sandwich at the Snappy Lunch several years ago and they are good – a little messy but well worth the mess. We had shrimp and oyster Po-Boys in South Carolina last night. Love the Southern food.
Yes, Mayberry (Mount Airy) is on what we consider the best Snowbird RV route South so we do stop there often and really enjoy the place.
Jack
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