Frisbie - Frisbee

One this day, January 23, 1957 molding machines at the Wham-O toy company began to roll out the very first batch of their aerodynamic plastics disks now known to millions as the FRISBEE. The story of the Frisbee began in Bridgeport, Connecticut where Mr. William Frisbie opened the Frisbie Pie Company in 1871. Being a supplier of pies to local universities the students would hang onto the tin pie plates and throw them at each other yelling ---"Frisbie!"
Walter Morrison and his partner Warren Franscioni invented a plastic version of the disc called the "Flying Saucer" that cold fly further and more accurately than the pie tin. After splitting with Francsioni, Morrison made an improved model i 1955 and sold it to the new toy company Wham-O as the "Pluto Platter."
IN 1958 just a year after the toy's first release, Wham-O changed the name to the Frisbee Disk, misspelling the name of the historic pie company.

Mr. Warren Franscioni

Robert E. Lee

"It is well that war is so terrible - - we would grow fond of it."

On this day in 1807 Robert Edward Lee was born.

Mostly known for his role in the American Civil War Robert Lee was a life time military man. His father was a decorated veteran of the Revolutionary war and one time Governor of Virginia. Lee attended West Point and was high honors upon graduation.

When his home state of Virginia separated from the union Lee resigned from the US Army:

"With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American Citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home. I have therefore resigned my commission in the Army, and save in defense of my native State, with the sincere hope that my poor services may never be needed, I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword..."

It was a long war and no side really won much of anything when it was all done and said.

Heavy losses on both sides, hero's made and families lost. By April of 1865 Lee now Major General of all Southern Forces was forced to surrender at Appomattox, Virginia to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. Lee and Grant both holding the highest rank of their respected armies knew slightly of each other having fought in the Mexican War together. Grant arrived in his muddy field uniform while Lee was turned out in full dress complete with sash and sword.

After the war, Lee returned south to Richmond as a paroled prisoner of war. He devoted the rest of his life to setting an example for all southerners. He refused a number of offers but instead he assumed presidency of Washington College today known as Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. Lee died on October 12, 1870 of heart disease.

Robert E. Lee

"It is well that war is so terrible - - we would grow too fond of it."

On this day in 1807 Robert E. Lee was born.

Dan Evins

Earlier today Dan "Danny" Evins passed. He was 74 years old and left behind a legacy many of us Airstream Folks have enjoyed for a very long time. Danny was the founder of Cracker Barrel restaurant chain opening his first in 1969.

Cracker Barrel shops are a welcome sight for many Airstream travelers as they have what we call FREE overnight parking. That's right, we spend the night right there in their parking lot.Of course being polite guests we always go in for a meal and a little shopping in their trade mark shops. With over 600 restaurants in 42 states as of today, thats is a lot of free camping.




We often base our route to somewhere via a Cracker Barrel.

Hostess going....going......

Say it ain't so!

Hostess Brands is once again going Chapter 11 to try and help save the faltering snack cake company. With competitors, Bimbo (yes that's correct) Bakeries, McKee Foods and Little Debbie chomping at their heels and Americans looking for a healthier snack, sales are down and profits slim. The 87 year old company is starting to feel it's age, and being a private held company with union workers (the only one by the way) there isn't much sugar left on the table afterwards.

Twinkies, one of the companies iconic snacks has been a world recognized food substance since 1930. Twinkies of course are the stuff of legends; President Bill Clinton put one in a time capsule and the American Society of Media Photographers recently held a photo exhibit featuring Twinkies. Tallahassee (Woody Harreson) in Zombieland made it his life's mission to find the last remaining Twinkie in the world fighting off Zombies risking it all! Jimmy Dewar who invented the Twinkie stated; "Twinkies was the best darn-tootin' idea I ever had." Not everyone agrees - "The iconic status of Twinkies is partly this perception that there's nothing real in it," say Ken Albala, professor of history at the University of the Pacific, CA.

Jennette's Pier

All along the coasts of many seaboards, fishing piers have been built and then promptly removed by mother nature. Jennette's Pier is no exception. Warren Jennette purchased 570 feet of beach front in 1939 and soon with his sons began construction of a 750 foot long fishing pier. Starting with one of his old camp buildings serving as a shower house and snack bar. Over the years cottages and a motor lodge were added. Of course the Outer Banks offers a challenge to any buildings due to weather.

As we started walking out onto the pier, we were facing a chilly 54 F and winds of 15 to 30 knots causing wonderful waves crashing the shore.

The new pier completed this year is now under the ownership of the North Carolina Aquarium Society which built the $25 million educational pier.

Hurricane Damage

On our way out for the day we stopped of at the dumpster to drop of our garbage. Sandi placed it in the dumpster even though the sign clearly said NO DUMPING.

Months after the detestation of hurricane Irene the rebuilding and cleaning up continues. There were five major sections route 12 completely destroyed. The road way is now passable all the way south.

It will be a long time before residents homes are brought back on line. These homes are totally off the grid, power, water,or driveways.

At one time this walkway connected a house to the beach. Both are gone now.

We originaly have resevations at this campground. Pretty evident why we had to find another.

Light House and Wild Horses

On the northern shores of the Outer Banks construction began on the Currituck Beach Light Station in 1873 and being completed and illuminated December 1, 1875. The light was known as a First-Order light because it used the first seven of the largest Fresnel Lenses available making it extremely bright. 162 feet tall is is composed of over 1,000,000 bricks. Unlike almost every other light house, it is unpainted in order to distinguish it from the Cape Henry light to the north and Bodie to the south.

The property consists of several buildings and is all in original condition. Unfortunately the site was closed and we could not visit. We did spend time in the area and ventured out to the wetlands. Next we headed out to see the wild horses of Currituck,



As we traveled further north we ran out of road or should I say the road turned into beach.

Yes, the road is actually the beach. One of the few beaches where sun bathers are not allowed. No parking signs, speed limit signs and additional sign stating "Do not feed the horses" line the dunes. The best time to travel the "road" is low tide where the sand is smoth and packed.