Carolina Continued (PG)

The reason we decided to visit Boone, North Carolina, was for Rob to have an opportunity to paraglide. A paragliding friend of ours told us about the area and gave us the name and number for the local guru, Bubba Goodman, who is a great guy by the way. Rob had spoken with Bubba a couple of times after our arrival here but the weather wasn't cooperating. Starting with the afternoon we drove part of the Blue Ridge Parkway we had rain. Finally, on Friday, the weather cleared and we took a drive to see if we could find from where the local pilots fly. We found out pretty quickly that we had no clue how to find it and just as we were driving back down the mountain, Bubba called. The winds looked to be coming from a favorable direction and he and another friend were on their way to fly. We met Bubba and his friends, Petr and Paula, who are from Germany, and drove on up the mountain. 

"If you drive up this road," Bubba said with a quick tilt of his head toward the leaf covered dirt track, "you might get shot." A moment later, he said "And if you drive up that road," indicating toward another, "you might get shot." 

Uh… alrighty then. Sure glad we weren't dumb enough to try to drive up any unknown side roads.

After being well jostled by traversing a very rocky backroad, where a four-wheel drive vehicle is an obvious requirement, we arrived at the launch to a beautiful view—the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains as far as the eye could see. As the afternoon wore on, one could clearly see how the Blue Ridge Mountains got their name.

Bubba and Rob were able to launch and both got a good flight in, but Petr missed the last good cycle. The breeze kept switching direction every few seconds, which can be a recipe for disaster when attempting to propel yourself off the side of a mountain. Est il pas?

Paula drove us back down the mountain in Bubba's Suburban, as she has done many times before, and met up with the guys at the landing zone situated in the front (huge) yard of a very amenable homeowner, Willy. It's not often you find an owner willing to allow pilots to land on their property because of the fear of potential lawsuits. Unless you end up with a witless idiot (family members included), lawsuits in this sport should be nil. You normally cannot fly without being a member of USHPA (United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association), and when you join, you are required to sign documents meant to make you understand that you alone are responsible for the risk taken when participating in such a sport and that you can severely injure or kill yourself, and that you promise not to take action against another party for your own choices. Makes sense to me, and I know this because I signed the documents myself when I became a USHPA member when I took lessons with Rob. No, I'm not a pilot. Wasn't my cup of tea. I photograph the pilots instead.

Rob had a good flight, but he said it got cold up above launch. Hmmm, I asked him before he flew where his jacket was…

We were hoping to see Petr and Paula again at the Valle Crucis Country Fair the following day. We never did run into them, probably because we arrived later in the afternoon. We stopped first for brunch at a restaurant in Boone called Melanie's Food Fantasy. A place where all the tables and chairs are mismatched, some of which are the retro variety from the late '50s; and the coffee mugs are purchased at yard sales. It's always a surprise which cup you'll get when you're coffee's delivered. The food was very tasty and they didn't overfeed you. Rob had eggs benedict and I had the pumpkin stuffed french toast. They pride themselves on supporting the local farmers and businesses and even had a chalkboard stating from whose farm the eggs came, or the beef, vegetables, and even the coffee. It is a relatively small restaurant with patio seating, and they have a bustling business, indeed. Delish!

We weren't planning to go to the fair, but Paula told me that it was a juried event, all vendors had to be approved and their crafts were to be handmade and relatively local in origin. (We met one vendor who hailed from Alabama). Knowing that I wouldn't be seeing the same old stuff found at every festival and fair, I decided I wanted to see these folks' art. We saw wonderful photographs, watercolors, hand knitted hats, scarves, gloves, capes and sweaters; graceful, polished wooden floor lamps with handmade paper shades, lathe-turned, wooden bowls, marquetry boxes and vessels; lots of pottery, stained glass, jewelry, handbags, children's clothes; and the food—jams, jellies, fruit butters, pickles, pies and cakes, and fresh pressed apple cider. Yum. We also enjoyed the music.

Tomorrow we leave the Boone area for Asheville, North Carolina. I'm looking forward to exploring that town. Apparently, it is very artisanal, whether food or paintings or crafts. I'll let you know.

In the meantime, you know, check out the photos.

A rainy morning by the campground.

This calf was very curious about me.

Taken at the landing zone before going up the mountain.

There were still a few wildflowers around up at launch.

Just a hint of the view in the background.

Could you imagine living up here?

Petr and Paula in the foreground. Rob and Bubba setting up their wings.

Rob and Bubba.

Bubba starting his launch.

Bubba in flight.

Rob's launch.

Rob in flight. Love the clouds.

Rob in a fly by.

Looking southwest.

Great clouds, but I took this photo for the rainbow.

A lone daisy in the middle of the road.

Blue Ridge Mountains looking northwest.

Blue Ridge Mountain just five minutes later.

From left to right: Petr, Willy, Bubba, Paula and Rob

On the way to Valle Crucis.

At Mast's General Store. An area icon.

Doh! I didn't get the banjo player in the shot!

Nah, I ain't goin' nowhere. Jes hangin' 'round.

This sweet-faced alpaca gladly gives up it's wool to keep you warm.

You drink the cider, the pigs eat the leftovers.

A lot of good musicians in these here parts.

Carolina On My Mind

The more we travel the more we are truly looking forward to seeing every state in this fine country. We have been to many already and, with the exception of California, have only seen bits of each. Each place has its special features and each requires further exploration in order to say we really know it. Along with West Virginia, North Carolina is a place we'd like to get to know better. What we've seen so far is exceptionally beautiful. We've enjoyed the Outer Banks with its sandy wildness and salty, ocean winds; and New Bern, an historical town which rests its real estate against the woodsy Croatan National Forest, where my dear friend, Linda Davis, lives with her husband Alex; and, now, we are in Boone in 'the high country' in the western side of the state where the trees are blazing with reds and golds. I am replete with the eastern fall air that I've missed for 34 years, having had lived in New Jersey for 11 years where autumn was my most favorite season.

Our visit in New Bern was gratifying for a couple reasons. First was because I was able to spend an entire week (sans the hours Linda had to be at work), with Linda who is my oldest friend. Linda and I met when my family were moving into our house in Fair Haven, New Jersey. Linda was the first, and only, person my age to come over and introduce herself. We've been friends ever since, even though we sometimes nurtured other friendships during our high school years. And, Linda and I haven't kept in touch 100% of the time over the years. She came to Rob's and my wedding 27 years ago, then we lost touch because I lost the piece of paper containing her address and phone number which was, I thought, tucked into my address book. Remember those days when everyone had an address book instead of smart phones? Then somehow, nearly 15 years ago, Linda called me and we spoke on the phone as though no time had passed. We didn't hear each other's voices again until a little over a year and a half ago when, after making contact through Facebook and texting, I arrived at her door for a two night visit while traveling from Florida to Virginia Beach. Again, it was as though no time had passed. We just got caught up. This time was no different. Second was because our husbands got to meet and Rob and Alex became like two peas in a pod. They probably won't appreciate that description, but it is how Linda and I saw it. And we loved it. How often does it happen when two couples, four individuals, find enough in common and feel an affinity with each dynamic that all enjoy spending time together?

I also want to shout out that Linda and Alex were the most gracious hosts we could have asked for and, unfortunately, at a time when we were under a bit of stress. Our bank debit cards were compromised and we had to shut both down. Several charges ended up showing on our account which we weren't able to address until after the Columbus Day holiday. I become Chicken Little when our money is messed with. No fun. No fun at all! The good thing is our credit union stepped up to the plate and removed the charges to our account. I have an idea from where this problem may have stemmed and I have taken action. Although it is usually near to impossible to make any arrests in these types of scams, I felt better doing something than doing nothing.

Rob and I drove a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway yesterday. It is impressive and when we head a bit south to Asheville on Monday, we will drive some of it from that end. I just hope the fall colors are still on the trees.

Here are a few photos (yeah, right), to check out.

Linda, Alex and Rob in front of the Tryon Palace, once on the short list to be the nation's capitol.

A mother Green Lynx spider with her newly hatched young on a sesame plant in the Tryon Palace gardens. The babies look like sesame seeds.

Some colorful peppers in the gardens.

I'm a sucker for bees.

Cannon balls.

What did I say about bees?

I don't know the name of this plant, but the berries really are purple.

Weather worn benches.

In the formal garden.

Rob and Linda enjoying a rest and a little conversation.

I wonder what this looks like in spring.

The engine of a 1919 Chevrolet. Notice the oil can. Too bad I couldn't get the whole car. Too many people.

A fun way to spruce up a town.

Outside a really cool, old-fashioned hardware store over the Mumfest weekend.

Love this photo of Linda.

Alex during one of his and Rob's deep conversations.

Pizza on the deck.

We joined Alex and Linda at church on Sunday. That's Alex playing guitar on the right. Probably the nicest service I've ever experienced.

An artist works on an inspired painting during the service.

We witnessed many baptisms on this day. Linda feels moved by the children. I felt moved by this big guy.

The view from my bedroom window in Boone, NC. I love hearing the cows moo.

From along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Breathtaking.

Peaceful beauty.

I'ma lichen a little moss.

I love Autumn in the east!

Oh, yeah. Remember what I said about bees?