2025 May 9, Mystery Day Trip with Backroads Tours Scottsboro, AL

Travel to Scottsboro: Board the bus by 8:00 A.M. The tour and Admission to the animal park are included at $125 per person. The pickup location is Patches in Scottsboro. 

Tours & Admissions, including lunch, are self-pay 

We will cover the cost of our lunch, and a decadent dessert is also included. 

If you love fantastic food, nature, and exotic animals, this trip is for you. 

We were up by 4:30 A.M., got ready, and were on the road by 5

We stopped at Jack's in Athens for breakfast. 

I ordered gravy and biscuits with Diet Coke

We stopped at McDonald's in Scottsboro for a restroom break

We arrived at our bus location, loaded onto the bus, and began our mystery trip

Our first stop was the Farmers Market in Section, where we bought cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, onions, and cauliflower.

Our next stop was Bama Bucks Restaurant and Exotic Animals.

Our host gave us the history of how Bama Bucks got started,

Our servers took our drink and food order. My husband and I split a cheeseburger and onion rings, and he ordered a salad.

Small animals, including baby alligators, ring-tailed lemurs, and kangaroos, were brought out and shown to us as we ate.

Outside, behind fences, we saw black bears, bison, ostriches, Zebras, kangaroos, emus, lemurs, elk, and camels. 

This family-owned restaurants feature steak, chicken, wild game, seafood, soups, sandwiches, and salads. 

There is a fun menu for children. 

Our next stop was at the Anniston History Museum. 

We began with a reptile show of a small alligator, a large Turtle, and a small screech owl. Several of us walked outside to see the rescued birds of prey. 

We walked through the museum, and there was so much to see,

I bought my grandson a dinosaur necklace and a bracelet for his birthday. 

We loaded onto the bus and began our journey to Scottsboro

We played bingo for prizes on our ride back

We arrived in Scottsboro, said our goodbyes, and began our journeys home

We stopped at Taco Bell in Rogersville for dinner

I ordered two Soft tacos and a Diet Coke.

I saved one of my tacos for breakfast. 

We arrive home between 8:30 and 9 P.M.

8816-8818 8:38 A.M. Section Farmers Market

8819-20 9:56 AM Sardis 

8821-8852 10:15–11:18 A.M. Bama Bucks Restaurant Sardis, AL

8853-8889 1133-11:45 A.M. Exotic Farm 

8890-8924 BaMA Bucks Grounds & Group Photo 

8925-8927 1:18-1:21 Anniston History Museum

8928-8946 1:45–2:08 P.M. Animal Show 

8947-8948 2:24 P.M. Outside Raptors 

8949-68 2:35–3:58 P.M. History Museum 

8969 4:03 P.M. Banana Bread

8970-8974 5:45 P.M. Traveling the Tennessee River, Scottsboro 

The Outer Banks Adventure Trip continues to Durham, NC. May 2-3, 2025 and Travels home Day 6-7 (The Travel Lady)

 Day 6, Friday, May 2, Breakfast and lunch included

Two blueberry muffins, an omelet, and cranberry juice for breakfast at the hotel at 6 A.M. 

We finished packing and set our bags outside our room at 7:30 A.M., but we took our overnight bags with us. 

At 7:45, we departed for Durham, N.C.

We stopped at the Plymouth Welcome Center at 9:40 A.M. 

Around 12:15-12:30 P.M., Restroom break at Walmart, Durham, NC. 

At 12:45 P.M., lunch at The Original Q Shack, where I ordered a BBQ Sandwich with Mac & Cheese, hushpuppies, and banana pudding. I had enough leftovers for dinner. 

At 1:45 P.M., we loaded onto the motorcoach and departed to meet our step-on guide, Brad, with Tobacco Roads Tours. 

Our first stop with our guide took us to the Homestead, Factory, and Museum of the Duke family.

We rode by Duke University and were given a brief history of the institution. 

Our last stop was the American Tobacco District. Here, we saw the Angus Barn Restaurant, the Lucky Strike water tower, the WUNC radio station, a miniature replica of the Factory, Duke Stadium, the Burts Bees logo (featuring bees), and the North Carolina Innovation Express. 

We stopped for dinner around 6 P.M., and Hubby and I ate our leftovers — a BBQ sandwich — from the Q Shack.

Restroom break at Loves at 7:07, Lambsburg, VA

We will arrive at our hotel, Hampton Inn Abington, VA, around nine. (only carry-on bags)

8589 6:58 Breakfast

8590 7:41 A.M. traveled to Corolla, NC 9548-9552

8591-8611 9:42 A.M. Plymouth Welcome Center Plymouth, NC 

8612-8613 12:39 P.M. Walmart Durham, NC 

8614-8615 12:50 P.M. Duke University Durham, NC

8616-8620 1:15 P.M. University Tower Durham, NC 

8621-8655 2:17 P.M. Duke Homestead and Museum Durham, NC 9557-9568

8656-8692 3:32 P.M. Duke University Durham, NC

8693-8773 3:41–4:32 P.M. Durham's American Tobacco District Durham, NC 9572-9600

8774 4:48 leave Durham, NC

8775 7:08 Loves Lambsburg, NC

8777 Receipts 

Day 7: Saturday, May 3: Breakfast and lunch included

For breakfast at Hampton Inn Abington, VA, I had scrambled eggs, gravy, biscuits, and bacon, accompanied by cranberry juice.

Depart for home at 8:30 A.M. 

Around 9:30, we stop at Love's for a restroom break

At 10:00 A.M., we shopped at Yoder's Country Market. I bought some pepper jelly, a snack box of cheeses, and some sharp cheese. 

At 11:00 A.M., we depart for Myers Pumpkin Patch, where we learn about the farm's history. Everyone buys flowers and vegetable plants, and the whole bottom of the bus is filled with them. 

At 12:30 P.M., we depart for home. 

Around 2 P.M., we stopped at Buc-ee's Crossville, TN, for a restroom break and to shop. 

Arrive at Lawrenceburg First Baptist Church around 4:45. 

Arrive at 5:45 at Walmart, Florence 

Came home, unloaded the car, ate a snack, and went to bed. 

8780-8789 Hampton Abington VA 7:07–7:26 A.M.

8790-8791 9:26 Loves Bulls Gap, TN 

8792-8795 10:03 A.M. Yoders Country Market Mosheim, TN

8796-8803 10:55–12:49 P.M. Myers Farm Bulls Gap, TN

8804-8809 1:43-2:05 PM Buc ees Crossville, TN

The Outer Banks of North Carolina Adventure Trip April 29-May 1, 2025 Days 3-5 (The Travel Lady)

 Day 3: Tuesday, April 29, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included 

I ate oatmeal for breakfast at the hotel around 6:00 A.M.

We loaded onto the bus and headed to ride jeeps to see the wild Horses.

The horses roamed the beach area among the vegetation and houses that dotted the area. The only way to reach the houses was along the sandy beach. 

Depart for the Golden Nugget (Wild Horses), arriving around 9:00 A.M. and staying until 11:00 A.M. 

At 11:30, we headed to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. 

Around 12:30 P.M., we arrived at Timbuck II for shopping and lunch. 

We ordered quesadillas, avadoco dip, chips and Cokes at Mexiland. We looked through several shops but didn't make a purchase. We did get a chocolate waffle and strawberry cheesecake ice cream. 

Around 2:30 P.M., we returned to the hotel for some free time.

We put on our swimsuits and walked to the beach. We didn't stay long; we returned to the hotel and took a nap. 

At 6:00 P.M., we headed to Sunset Grill for dinner on the Currituck Sound.

For dinner, I ordered Coconut shrimp, broccoli, rice, and Key Lime Pie. 

Return to the hotel around 8:00 P.M. 

Jeep ride to see Wild Horses, Corolla, NC 8952-9027 

Currituck Beach Lighthouse 9028-9102 1101 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC

8084 Breakfast Hotel 7:03 A.M.

8085 Sunrise 7:16 A.M.

8086 Hotel 7:16 A.M.

8087 Mexiland Restaurant Timbuck II 11:57 A.M.

Timbuck II Shopping Center 785 A Sunset Blvd, Corolla, NC 

8088-8096 Timbuck II shopping 12:50–1:20 P.M.

8097-8123 1:34–1:39 P.M. Currituck Maritime Museum

8124-8143 1:41–1:48 P.M. Beach Lighthouse Corolla, NC 

1140 Village Lane Corolla, NC 

8144-8146 7:03–7:28 P.M. Dinner Sunset Bar & Grill 1264 Duck RD, Duck, NC 

8147-8154 sunset 7:35–7:59 P.M.

9406-9410 Beach Pictures someone else's phone

Day 4, Wednesday, April 30, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included 

I ate waffles with almonds, cranberries, and cranberry juice for Breakfast at the hotel around 6 A.M. 

Around eight, we will depart for the Bodie Island lighthouse, 8210 Bodie Island Lighthouse Road, Nags Head, NC, 9103-9129

It was built in 1872, stands 156 feet tall, and is located on Cape Hatteras. It is a brick lighthouse with a 214-step spiral staircase. It keeps a silent watch over the treacherous waters known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic." 

We walked the boardwalk to the freshwater marshland and back. 

We stopped at Subway to pick up boxed lunches of ham & Cheese for lunch.

Traveling 9103-9129 Nags Head

At 9:30, we will depart for the Chicamacomico Life Saving Station, 23645 NC Highway 12, Rodanthe, NC.9171-9190

Our guide explained the importance of the life-saving station and how it has saved lives, describing the efforts and methods used by the early Coast Guard. 

I bought a shirt, a book, and postcards in the gift shop. 

We ate lunch on the bus before departing for Cape Hatteras 46379 Lighthouse Road, Buxton, NC. The lighthouse is currently closed for repairs, but the museum is open for visitors.

In 1999, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Station was relocated 2,900 feet from its original location due to the threat of shoreline erosion. 9191-9204

Our next stop will be the Atlantic Museum's graveyard, 59200 Museum Drive, Hatteras Island, NC. 9207-9230

Around 3 P.M., we stopped at Scotch Bonnet Fudge, 51684 NC 12, Frisco, NC, so everyone could purchase a piece of fudge. We ordered a quarter pound of Peanut Butter Chocolate and a quarter pound of Rocky Road. 

At 4:00 P.M., we will depart for dinner at Basnight's Long Cedar Cafe, located at 7623 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC. 

Outside our window, we saw an Osprey Nest with the female sitting on eggs and the male guarding the nest. 9205-9252

I ordered broiled flounder with green beans, potato salad, and key lime Bar. 

On everyone's table was a bowl of crab dip with chips.

Return to Hampton Inn Corolla at 7:30 P.M.

81261 6:58 AM Breakfast

8162-8164 9:01-9:34 Nags Head Lighthouse, Bodie Island 

8186 10:01 A.M. Cape Hatteras National Seashore

8187-8223 10:10–11:26 A.M. Chicamacomico Life Saving Station, Rodanthe, NC

8285-8257 12:27–12:49 P.M. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Station & Museum Buxton, NC 

8258-8309 2:13 –2:54 P.M. Graveyard of the Atlantic Buxton, NC 

8310-8329 2:55 P.M. Traveling to Hatteras, NC 

8330-8335 3:06 P.M. Scotch Bonnet Fudge Frisco, NC 

8336-8354 3:37–3:46 P.M. Traveling to Buxton, NC

8355 4 P.M. Avon stopped at the Grocery Store 

8358-8361 4:51 P.M. School, Nags Head, NC 

8362-8369 4:52-6:23 Basnight Lone Cedar Restaurant Nags Head NC 

8371-8435 6:51 P.M. Traveling Nags Head, Duck, S Shores, Dare Co, Corolla. 

8436 Receipts 8391-8435 Storm Clouds riding back to the hotel. 

It came down in a downpour as we were leaving the bus. 

Day 5: Thursday, May 1:breakfast and dinner included 

Scrambled eggs with cheese, bacon, blueberry muffins, and cranberry juice for breakfast at the hotel at 6:00 A.M.

At 8:15 A.M., we depart for the Wright Brothers National Memorial, 1401 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC 9258-9314

The bus stopped and everyone got off to see the statues, airplane, and markers.

Then, several of us began our journey up the hill to visit the Wright Brothers Memorial. 

Then we had to journey down the hill to the nearby museum.

We toured the museum, and the curator gave a speech about the Wright Brothers and their determination to build a flying machine. 

At 10:30 A.M., we departed for the Village of Manteo for shopping, 9315-9337, and lunch.

My Husband and I shared a banana split with real strawberries, strawberry chocolate, and vanilla ice cream, topped with whipped cream and cherries.

I took a few pictures of the war memorials.

Around 12:30 P.M., Hubby and I walked across the bridge to the Festival Park Living History Museum. 

We waited for the others to arrive. 

We watched the film "Legend of Two Paths," toured the museum, and saw a replica of the Queen Elizabeth II sailing ship. 

We also saw the settlement and the Discovery Museum. 9338-9412 

At 3:00 P.M., we took a cruise on the Johnny Dolphin, where we saw several dolphins and Osprey nests. We also visited the boatyard and saw several boats. 9413-9547

At 5:00 P.M., we will depart for dinner at Sugar Creek Restaurant, located at 7340 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC. 

I ordered broiled shrimp, clams, fish, cornbread, and carrot cake. 

Around 7:00 P.M., we returned to our hotel, the Hampton Inn Corolla.

We will pack our bags and leave for our hotel in Abington in the morning. 

8437 7:02 Breakfast

8438-8479 9:11–10:06 A.M. Wright Brothers Memorial and Museum, Kill Devil Hill

8480-8484 10:02 AM Manteo 

8485-8587 11:07–11:14 A.M. Lunch Banana Split 

8488-8517 12:15-12:409 PM Ice Plant Island Museum

8518-8528 12:12 P.M. Grounds

8530-8543 2:34 P.M. Traveling Mantoe, Nags Head 

8544-8550 5:30 P.M. Dinner 

8551-8587 7:14 P.M. Sunset Nags Head Duck, Kill Devil Hill 

The Outer Banks Adventure Trip: Day 1-2 Travel and Mount Airy, North Carolina April 27-28, 2025 (The Travel Lady)

 Day 1: Sunday, April 27, depart from Walmart Florence at 6:15 A.M.

We got up at 4:20 A.M., showered, and got ready. We loaded the car.

We stopped at Jack's for breakfast, where we ordered two pork chops, biscuits with strawberry jelly, and two diet drinks.  

We arrived at Walmart in Florence around 5:30 A.M. and were on the bus by 6 A.M., headed to First Baptist Church, 2100 Springer Road, Lawrenceburg, TN, where we picked up the remainder of our group. 

Our first stop was at Love's in Mount Juliet, TN. 

We stopped for lunch at Cookout. Hubby and I ordered a cheeseburger and onion rings with Diet Coke. Spent $12.45

Around 3:30–4:00 P.M., we will stop at the Virginia Welcome Center in Bristol, VA. 

We stopped again at Love's in Lambsburg, VA, around 5:30 P.M. 

Around 6 P.M., we arrived at the Depot at Cody Creek, Dobson, NC, for dinner. 

We had a Sunday Church service in the Chapel. Your speaker talked about the Big Bang theory and the book of Genesis. We walked around the garden taking pictures. 

I ordered pork cutlets, a side salad, macaroni and cheese, and chocolate chess pie for dinner. 

There was a lot of cool art hanging on the walls. 

After dinner, we will depart for our hotel, the Hampton Inn, located at 2029 Rockford St, Mt. Airy, NC, room 222. 

7814- Loves Mt Juliet, TN at 8:56 A.M.

7815 Cookout Knoxville, TN at 12:45 P.M.

7816-40 Virginia Welcome Center Bristol, TN

78410-Loves Lambsbury, VA at 5:31 P.M.

7842-86 The Depot Restaurant Dobson, NC @5:53-6:33 P.M.

Day 2: Monday, April 28, Breakfast and dinner include

Breakfast at the hotel at 6:30 A.M., where I ate an omelet, cheese bagel, and cranberry juice. 

Load onto the bus with our overnight bags and depart for Mt Airy Squad Car Tours.

Our first stop was the jail, where we rode the squad car. We rode the squad car to the granite quarry, Andy's home, and downtown Mount Airy. 

At 10 A.M., we visited the Andy Griffith Museum.

Around 11 A.M., we rode downtown to Mount Airy for lunch and shopping.

Hubby and I split a Strawberry Shortcake and Diet Cokes at Miss Angel's Heavenly Pies. 

Around 1 P.M., we depart for Kill Hills, NC.

We will stop at Walmart in Smithville, NC, around 3:45 for a restroom break.

At 3:37 P.M., I spent $10.70 on Diet Mt. Dew and Pepsi, Snacks, candy, and Beef jerky in Smithville, NC.

Arrive at Captain George Seafood, 705 Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hill, NC, at 6:30 P.M. for a Buffet dinner.

I ordered Salmon, corn on the cob, crab legs, shrimp, butter, and tartar sauce. For dessert, I chose bread pudding, carrot cake, and chocolate cake. 

We headed to our hotel, the Hampton Inn Corolla, located at 333 Audubon Drive, Corolla, NC, around 7:45. Our room was in Room 317.

We arrived around 8:30 P.M. and checked into room 317.

7893 Breakfast at Hampton Inn Mount Airy, NC 7:15 A.M.

7894 Picture of Andy Griffith in Hotel 7:30 A.M. 

7935-46 Squad car ride 9:30 A.M., Mt Airy

7947-92 Andy Griffith Museum, Mt Airy 10:13–10:42 A.M.

7993-8002 Mt Airy 11:02 A.M. Donna Fargo 7993-7994

8003 Strawberry shortcake 11:20 A.M.

8005-8018 War Memorials Mount Airy 11:46 A.M.

8024-8061 Mount Airy 11:40 

8820-8907 Mount Airy

8908-49 Traveling 

8062-8068 Traveling Outer Banks