Jack's Journal: June 6

CBS News producer Jack Halsbond is behind the wheel of one of two Early Show Winnebagos traveling the country in June and July as part of the "Great American Vacation" giveaway roadtrip. Read his Web exclusive road diary.

The rolling mountains of Virginia are truly breathtaking. Once you leave the Baltimore-Washington traffic the vista really opens up.
I was impressed with how wide open everything is.

Passing Manassas and Bull Run battlegrounds, it didn't take a lot of imagination to realize the enormity of our shared struggle 140 years ago. If you closed your eyes (not recommended behind the wheel at 65 mph) you could see confederate and northern troops coming over the hills.

The 18-wheelers on Route 81 seemed to fly by my 24' Winnebago with impunity. Some of those rigs were really cool, tricked out with some great designs. Hopefully, I'll have an opportunity before too long to meet up with some truckers and shoot some pictures.

The Holiday Inn here has all the amenities you would want and the staff is very friendly and accomodating.

Speak with you in Johnson City, Tenn.