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     After the dedication ceremony we decided to do the Bedford County Tour. Kenneth O'Neal graciously volunteered to lead us around, and off we went. We visited Cleareville, Everett, Chaneyville and most likely visited a few towns that never had the honor of making it onto a map. We found lots of new headstones in various cemeteries, took photos and will begin cataloging and posting them on the web site as time permits.
     Probably the most unexpected find of the 2002 TOGA-Xpedition was what we unearthed at the Sweet Root Inn in Chaneyville. Family History says that Bernard O'Neal built a Hotel in Chaneyville. (See Endnote.) We've known about this hotel for some time now, but have never had the time to investigate further. As we approached the old hotel we noticed that there was a family living in it and they were having a yard sale. Never one to be bashful I jumped out of my truck and walked up to the lady of the house and explained to her the purpose of the convoy of vehicles that had just pulled into her driveway. I explained that we were members of the O'Neal Genealogy Association and we were on expedition and searching out the haunts of our ancestors. I told her that my Great x 3 Grandfather's Brother had built this hotel in 1850 and asked if she would mind, since we had traveled so far, if we took a couple of photos. She replied that if it was her ancestors house she would not be happy to just take a couple of pictures, that she'd want to look inside, too. And then she asked if we'd like to come inside and look around. I thanked her and I could barely contain my excitement as I rushed back to the driveway to tell the others the good news. We all began grabbing our gear up and proceeding into the cabin. None of us were prepared, however, for the treat that lay inside.
     The original "Bar Room" of the Inn was still intact with a large oak bar spanning almost the entire length of the Bar Room. The Bar Room itself was incredible. It had to be a commodious 20 x 20 ft. square. (I still haven't figured out how they got such a large room into such a small cabin.) But the real treat, what astonished us most of all were the photos. Almost every inch of wall space in the Bar Room was filled with old photos. There were photos of old Chaneyville residents, homes, maps,
you name it. We found a photo of Edward O'Neal's old household. It's gone now, but the family gave us directions to the site and told us that Edward's barn was still standing. By this time the residents had to think we were crazy. We were running around, babbling with excitement like little kids in a candy store, and all the while snapping photos like there was no tomorrow. .
     After finishing inside we went back to the front porch and talked with the residents awhile and played with their "ferocious" beagle puppy before departing on to our next adventure. We visited more cemeteries in the area and then decided to call it a night. We headed back to Bedford. Tomorrow was the big day. The Peter O'Neal Reunion at the Old Frame Church.