The Road Trip of Awesome: Car Trouble, Wild Turkeys, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding

There’s never a dull moment, not even on driving on the interstate through little foothills of the Smokies.

This morning, when we tried to pull out of Asheville, North Carolina, the car started to sound funny. The engine was stalling a little as it turned on, and as we had five hours of driving ahead of us, we didn’t want to take any chances and end up stranded on the side of the road. So, once we got the car started, we had to pull in to the Sears up the road from our hotel and let the mechanics take a look. Lucky we did, too, because by the time the men went to look at the car, the engine was so dead that it wouldn’t even start.

While our car was getting its check-up, we walked up the road to an iHop and ate breakfast. (Nutella crepes and ice coffee overlooking the mountains is wonderful.) Even the walk wasn’t too bad, despite the fact that we were practically walking alongside the highway. The weather up here is pretty cool in the morning (while New Orleans is getting a heat index of 110 back home). Anyway, an hour later, we had our car back, with a brand new battery, and were finally able to head out for Virginia.

We were cruising along the interstate, singing along to Disco Classics (plus me reading a chapter or two of Mansfield Park—Goal #37), when we saw the exit to Natural Bridge, Virginia. We hadn’t planned on making a pit stop, but we figured, hey, what else are road trips for? So we veered off the interstate and headed into another little mountain city.

What amuses me about the “Natty B”, as locals call, is that this gorgeous, completely natural stone crossway between two mountains has been around for millions, possibly billions, of years (as estimated by geologists), and humans think they can just stick a building up in front of it and charge you eighteen bucks to see it. I don’t get why people think they own every thing, but regardless, it was well worth the money. The bridge itself is both fascinating and beautiful, plus there’s much more to explore back behind the bridge. We stumbled across a recreation of a 1700s Indian village (complete with guides in costume!), and then decided to hike up the mountain some to see the Lace Waterfall. We figured, after yesterday’s phony waterfall, we might as well see a real one.

On our way up the mountain, we got to witness the rescue of a wild baby turkey. The flock of wild turkeys was crossing the creek when one of the babies got swept up by the current and was carried away by the creek. He finally lodged himself between a few of the rocks in the water, but the flock kept moving on. The mother kept calling back to the baby, but he was good and stuck, trying to flutter his wings helplessly, the poor thing. Luckily, a local hero happened to be standing by and gallantly climbed over the railing that lined the trail, pushed his way through the thin stretch of forest to the creek, where he braved slippery rocks and icy water to reach the bird. Meanwhile, the water was rising near the baby bird’s head, and had it not been for this heroic man, he would have drowned. But his white knight grabbed him (gently) from the rocks, crossed to the other side of the creek, and deposited the baby turkey safely on his banks. We can only hope that he’ll be reunited with his mother. But he’s better off either way, as death was slowly creeping up on him as he was in the water.

Once we finished our eventful detour to Natural Bridge, we continued on to Lexington. I must say, it is the most adorable little town. I was a little worried before we arrived, because small towns can be either hit or miss: terribly country or cute and quaint. Luckily, downtown Lexington is something akin to Stars Hollow, Connecticut. (The movie theater is playing three movies: Sex and the City, Prince of Persia, and Shrek 4.) And our hotel is a modern Hampton Inn in a historic little building. Everything here is reminiscent of a different century, but with a little modern twist.

After checking out what we could of the campus of Washington & Lee University, we stopped to eat dinner at Niko’s Grille, a family owned and operated restaurant, with a bit of everything on the menu but specializing in Greek food. And let me tell you, it was like stepping into the restaurant from My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The married couple who owns it runs the register and makes friends with the customers, and their children wait the tables (along with some local help) and cook.

On our way out, we overheard a conversation between the couple owning the grille and a customer.
HUSBAND: Oh, this is your second time back here, huh? I don’t recognize you! I can’t believe it!
CUSTOMER: Yeah, I’ve been once before, and decided to come back.
WIFE, jumping in from across the room: Oh, yeah! He’s been in here before! You didn’t see him?

All in Greek accents, of course. (Except for the customer.) They can remember some faces, those two, and they have no problem pulling up a chair while you’re eating to chat with you. It was charming.

As for now, we’re back at the hotel room, getting ready for bed. Tomorrow, we tour our first college, which means getting up bright and early. Joy joy joy.