Day 20: Saturday to Winston Salem

Plan A is no longer a plan. The east coast, and many places far from the east coast are in the midst of their worst December storm for many years. They name the storms here, just like we name cyclones. This is Benji. The Blue Ridge Parkway is closed for its full length and it’s snowing virtually everywhere. The snow extends from San Antonio, Texas, north east through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South and North Carolina and further north through Virginia to Washington and New York. Huge. Depending on the weather station you tune in to it’s the most snow many places have had since 1985 or 1973. Reports vary.

Plan B: Google ‘historic towns of North Carolina’. The result lists many towns we couldn’t get to, but one sounded interesting. Bethania, NC, just out of Winston-Salem. OK. Let’s go. The day started dry, but quickly the rain began. Just as Carol takes over the driving the rain turns to sleet, then to snow. This is Carol’s first driving in snow – ever. As we continue the snow gets heavier. Then heavier.

As we arrive in Bethania we realise we’ve arrived in the place where all the Christmas card scenes you ever seen are photographed. Simply stunning.

After checking in to our accommodation we headed in to Winston-Salem downtown to find dinner. Based on only the name of the restaurant we headed to ‘Sweet Potato’. If you’re ever in Winston-Salem you must go to Sweet Potato. Best meal I’ve had. When I looked it up later, it’s #2 of 516 restaurants in the city.

So, after a disappointing start to the day, it’s been one of the best days so far.