Mayberry Does Exist in Mt. Airy, NC

As published in The Florida Villager

There have been many times in my life where I have sat back and longed to live in Mayberry. A town where everyone knows you, kids are watched over and neighbors are neighbors, so when I got the call to do a story on Mt. Airy, I jumped on it. I figured if it was the home of Andy Griffith, well it just had to be Mayberry.

Rounding the corner into town I felt like any moment I would see Barney’s patrol car. This was Mayberry, this was Hometown, USA with all the old brick store fronts, Floyd’s Barber Shop, Wally’s Service Station, Opie’s Candy Store and one shop in particular that caught my eye, Miss Angel’s Heavenly Pies. Her storefront window was enticing with a vast array of cobblers. When I ordered the peach one, I was told they are not cobblers but Zonkers and there is in fact a Zonker Trail where you can hit up seven different establishments that serve Zonker. After Miss Angel herself served me up a big portion and then let me try others, I was convinced this was far better than any cobbler I had ever had.

The Andy Griffith Museum was my next stop and I really could have stayed longer than I did. Everything Mayberry was there; his uniform, his office, pictures and the audio self-guided tour is a must. In an adjacent building is a smaller museum on Chang and Eng Bunker, the famous Siamese twins. If you have the time, watch the video in its entirety, as I found it pretty fascinating.

Not sure I was ready for lunch after that fabulous Zonker but I had heard you couldn’t miss going to Snappy Lunch for their famous pork chop sandwich. I could only eat a portion of it since it was so big and I was excited to get to my next Mayberry experience- the Squad Car Tour.

Walking up to Wally’s Service Station I could see Barney’s squad car waiting for me. I was deputized, placed in the front seat and with the siren blaring pulled out onto Main Street. ‘Barney’ gave a great tour with all kinds of interesting and fun facts. We drove by the quarry, old churches and Andy’s childhood home. This, I have to say, was the highlight of my trip. . A dinner and wine tasting at the Harvest Grill at Shelton Vineyards was a beautiful way to end my first night in town

Rounding out my weekend trip back in time was a stop at the historic Earle Theatre to listen to an open mic session. A stop off at the Mayberry Spirits Distillery where everything moonshine is made including soap. The owner is a former monk and gives quite an informative and hilarious presentation of his journey from monk to moonshine.

Not to be left out of your ‘must do’ list is dinner and drinks at The Loaded Goat and a spin by the Mayberry Sock Exchange where you will go sock crazy for very little money. And by all means, rest your Zonker filled tummy at Mayberry Motor Inn where Alma, the owner will give you a tour of her Aunt Bee room; a collection from Bavier’s estate and will even dress up like her right down to the pearls.

Leaving town I remembered a quote from Andy, “That’s the main thing, ain’t it? That’s the goal that every individual is shootin’ for, ain’t it? It’s kinda the prize of the game-to be happy.” And happy you are in Mt. Airy.

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