We drove up to Chimney Rock before we left the Lake Lure area and admired the stunning views over the lake and surrounding country side. We didn't have many miles to drive to Charlotte so decided that we'd get off the interstate and go through some smaller places like Rutherfordton, which wasn't small, and Shelby where we stopped for lunch. We planned to stay the night outside the main Charlotte city area but were only a couple of miles from there and the airport was on the side we were coming from so we stopped near the airport. The countryside through North Carolina has been very pretty, very green, lots of trees and lovely rivers.
We returned the rental car this morning after driving around 1300 miles from New Orleans, up through Alabama into Tennessee and then east into North Carolina. The southern drawl has gotten stronger as we've gone east y'all!!!! The people have been friendly and as always, interested in Australia and Australians - they almost always say that they want to visit Australia! Sadly with the poor wages here it is only a dream for most.
Last night we arrived in San Antonio, Texas. Our hotel is on the beautiful river walk but a bit out of the main loop. We were upgraded and have a 2-room suite for the 4 nights we are here. It might have something to do with me telling them it was our wedding anniversary!!! We have views of the river walk from our balcony. We walked into the main area last night, maybe a mile, and had a Mexican dinner topped off with beer for Peter and Margaritas for me! The weather is warm and the river walk area was crowded with people, all enjoying the many restaurants and roving mariachi singers.