A "Little" Blue Grass Music from the Mountains

I thought I'd post my humble little (and I do mean little!) video of the blue grass musicians who were playing on the porch of The Old Mast General Store during our trip to the North Carolina mountains a week ago. Please excuse my very amateur abilities at video recording with a regular digital camera. I'm still learning this technology. But this is the real deal mountain music, although very abbeviated. (Notice the gentleman playing the guitar who nods his head at me while I'm recording....he got a nice tip from us that we dropped in the white tip bucket on the table next to him!)
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Although it was some pretty rusty filming, it sure is enjoyable to hear how authentic mountain culture is alive and well in America. Pin It

Blue Ridge Mountains Truly a Beautiful Treasure!

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A gorgeous view along the Blue Ridge Parkway of the many ancient 'layers' of hazy blue-ish mountain ridges. . . the beauty is breathtaking and awe inspiring. God sure did a great job with this part of the planet, huh?

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Our brief trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina has sadly come to a close. I am in continual AWE over the incredible beauty of this great land that we live in. We were in the very northwestern corner where Christmas tree farms permeate the landscape, tiny bed and breakfasts and eateries dot the roads, and even fledgling wineries can be seen.
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The temperatures were between 10 to 15 degrees cooler in the mountains than down in the foothills where we have our little acreage. It's so interesting to see how the vegetation, trees, and plants change as the altitude increases. I loved all of the different kinds of evergreen trees. The residents, whether rich, poor, or somewhere in between, all take great pride in their landscaping with so many flower gardens! Landscaping, stone businesses, and nurseries are big business up there! All which keep the area so quaint and inviting for an escape from daily mania. Now I understand why so MANY folks from Florida have second homes there.
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It really was a clear day when we hiked this enormous mountain, but part of the intrigue of the Blue Ridge mountains is the constant levels of 'haze'. A super camera, I do not own, so the pictures from my trusty little digital will have to suffice to capture the scenery. Truly, no camera can do justice this natural beauty anyway!
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Blue grass music being picked and sung on the back porch of the Old Mast General Store.
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The best dining experience was at a Thai restaurant in Boone, called Chada Thai. The servers wore authentic Thai silk dresses, extended perfect service, and the food was sublime! After having been to Thailand twice, I'm a very picky and persnickity customer when it comes to quality Thai food. Everything was perfect and anyone who's in the area and who either loves Thai food or wants to try it for the first time, I highly recommend this little eatery!

On the way back down the mountains into South Carolina we bought a couple of baskets of Carolina peaches that are so sweet and perfect right now, that when you bite into one, the juice just pours down your chin and neck....napkins are required! So that's where I'm going to pick back up again in the kitchen. . .

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that is . . . AFTER I prep enough for my classes which resume next week (advising and meetings are first in order).

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On The Road Again . . .

"On the road again . . . just can't wait to get back on the road again!" (Willie Nelson)
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Well friends, there's only one precious little week left of peace and quiet before fall semester cranks up again in the world of education. So that means that W.D. and I are off to discover a new destination in a cooler spot of the planet. This year we chose to venture up into the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina. We always try to find a new place once a year and so it's off to the Blowing Rock/Banner Elk/Boone area of the mountains. We've got our trusty "farm-sitter" coming to stay and watch the horses, dogs, cats and gardens. The animals absolutely hate it when we leave . . . actually the cats sit in the suitcases in protest to our packing! Seriously!
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So far everyone who has been to this area of the Southern Appalachians says that it is a gorgeous area and that we're just gonna love it. So I'll snap some shots and share them when I return. The place that we're going to may or may not have web connection, so for sure I'll blog when we get back at the end of the week.
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Y'all be good while I'm gone now! I can't wait to catch up on reading your posts when I return, or to read them through my reader on my trusty little handheld device. Pin It