Of course, the challenge is to get there without getting in trouble first.

The sacrifices I make for you.

Heading towards Mayberry gives an idea of what happens in the mountains — curvy roads, rolling hills and scenery to catch the eye.

It’s even better when you have lots of cool cars front,

and rear.

Rolling through small towns shows that life is slower and calmer than many of us are used to. It’s easy to just sit and watch the cars go by.

There’s nothing like cutting a good corner when it’s witnessed by a few thousand of your closest friends.

Of course, the opposite is also true — mess up and EVERYONE knows about it right away thanks to 2-way radios and cell phones.

When you’re out, you grab the necessities any time you can — gas

As if near-$3.00 per gallon was bad, try feeding a crew of hungry co-workers.

I’ve bought cars that didn’t cost as much.

At least we had the best looking cars in the lot.

Arriving in Mayberry brings back thoughts of Opie, Goober, Floyd and all the others. Things are different nowadays, though — businesses have combined for more efficiency. Where else but Mayberry could you buy a clay pot and a used car from the same proprietor?

We filled up the town, though, much to the delight of locals.

They took it in stride.

See, there’s something to be said for living in a laid back town.

After Mayberry, we assualted the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you ever get the chance, give it a go. I promise you views and roads you’ll never forget. There are mountains,

twisties (sorry, no pics, I was busy really carving some corners) and the occasional photo spot not to be missed. Shane took these of an old feed mill, and I nominate them for the best photos of the Tour.

It’s our very own field of driving dreams.

Always, remember to share the road with bicyclists. Anyone that can pedal a bike 40+ miles up and down these hills is not someone I’d want to mess with.

All good things eventually come to an end, though. Gradually the mountains turned to hills and then flats, and the curves straightened out.

The roads became wider, and traffic returned to normal.

Sometimes, a bit too normal.

Aack, I thought someone had run over a skunk.

The Roanoke valley is a great place — really friendly people, great food and our hotel was outstanding. Just what we needed after a tough day’s drive. At the Salem Civic Center we met old friends from Tours past, our local salesman, and ran into the emcee of previous years, Doc Riley.

Thelma and Louise from Baer Brakes were up on stage as I was heading out,

planning on an early night and lots of sleep for tomorrow’s drive to Harrisburg. Another 300 miles curvy road day in the greatest corner carving car ever made — I’m gonna need the rest.