Well it started out better when there were no sirens, bells, whistles, or other sounds of alarm during breakfast. Today we spent the morning at Flat Top Manor, the summer home of Moses and Bertha Cone. Moses made a fortune in denim in the early 1900's. He was a Baltimore Native (and his sisters collection of Matisse and Picasso paintings, which they bought when both were unknown, struggling artists, are in the Cone wing of the Baltimore Museum of Art), and to show off his wealth he bought a ton of land, built a couple of lakes and a big house on top of a hill near Chimney Rock.
The first dozen or so pix are from the bottom of the hill at Bass Lake looking up on the hill toward the Manor. We then went to the manor and inside, and even snapped a picture of a Picasso drawn of Moses' sisters.
Beautiful home and view... after walking in the Sun for hours we came back, ate a BIG lunch, and then sat in comfy, soft chairs in an air conditioned room while a speaker, whom I am sure would have been very interesting if I had been able to keep my eyes open long enough to listen to her, droned on about the makeup of the people of Appalachia.
This evening was much better...first a storyteller told some Jack Tales (He was OK but the guy at the Orchard yesterday was better), and 2 grad students who played Appalachia tunes (splitting banjos, guitars, and a fiddle between them). They explained the differences between old time and bluegrass music, how instruments, like the banjo are played differently in each, and how the instruments and their roles in the music differ in each. They were exceptional musicians, and the evening was terrific!
Tomorrow we are on the bus all day....3 stops on the Parkway....it will be a gas!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Day Seventeen
Wow! What a day! It started with my heading out for a nice, quiet breakfast before the crowd hit....and I notice 200 teenagers waiting outside the cafeteria heading for breakfast (wrestling camp).
THEN...as I get inside and am 20 or so places from the actual food....the fire alarm goes off...we are herded outside...wait 30 minutes to be allowed back in at which time they have virtually no hot breakfast since EVERYONE was outside and no one was inside making it!
At 8:15 we headed out for a 90 mile drive on the Parkway to a mineral museum. You have not experienced life until you have visited a mineral museum. (Note to reader: that is sarcasm.)
After another 45 minutes on the bus we arrived at Mt. Mitchell State Park and had a leisurely lunch in the highest restaurant east of the Mississippi. Nice view, pricey food, but not bad either. Very enjoyable lunch.
We rounded the bend and made the climb to the top of Mt. Mitchell (named after Elisha Mitchell, who may or may not have been the first to measure it). This is the highest mountain east of something. (It used to be called the highest mountain East of the Rockies, but a peak in the Dakotas is higher....It is called the highest East of the Mississippi but there are questions about that as well). Most of the pix came from there.
We then took and hour ride back (with no air in the back of the bus and smoke pouring from the brakes while riding on a highway in the mountains with no guard rails.) and went to the Orchard which had Muscadine Cider, Hershey's Ice Cream, and an old golden retriever. The owner told us numerous stories of people and events in the area (perhaps the best story teller I have ever heard, but I guess you would expect it...he used to work for NASA).
During this long bus ride I realized 2 things....most of the people here are really nice, and really good teachers, and, just like the last workshop, there is one person I can really not stand. Arrogant, teaches in a rich private school, and thinks all public schools, teachers, and administrators are inferior to him.
The truth is....he could not cut it in Tampa....he's not good enough to teach kids who NEED him...only those who would succeed anyway...
All in all a GREAT day...great pictures...and 4 days until Baltimore!
THEN...as I get inside and am 20 or so places from the actual food....the fire alarm goes off...we are herded outside...wait 30 minutes to be allowed back in at which time they have virtually no hot breakfast since EVERYONE was outside and no one was inside making it!
At 8:15 we headed out for a 90 mile drive on the Parkway to a mineral museum. You have not experienced life until you have visited a mineral museum. (Note to reader: that is sarcasm.)
After another 45 minutes on the bus we arrived at Mt. Mitchell State Park and had a leisurely lunch in the highest restaurant east of the Mississippi. Nice view, pricey food, but not bad either. Very enjoyable lunch.
We rounded the bend and made the climb to the top of Mt. Mitchell (named after Elisha Mitchell, who may or may not have been the first to measure it). This is the highest mountain east of something. (It used to be called the highest mountain East of the Rockies, but a peak in the Dakotas is higher....It is called the highest East of the Mississippi but there are questions about that as well). Most of the pix came from there.
We then took and hour ride back (with no air in the back of the bus and smoke pouring from the brakes while riding on a highway in the mountains with no guard rails.) and went to the Orchard which had Muscadine Cider, Hershey's Ice Cream, and an old golden retriever. The owner told us numerous stories of people and events in the area (perhaps the best story teller I have ever heard, but I guess you would expect it...he used to work for NASA).
During this long bus ride I realized 2 things....most of the people here are really nice, and really good teachers, and, just like the last workshop, there is one person I can really not stand. Arrogant, teaches in a rich private school, and thinks all public schools, teachers, and administrators are inferior to him.
The truth is....he could not cut it in Tampa....he's not good enough to teach kids who NEED him...only those who would succeed anyway...
All in all a GREAT day...great pictures...and 4 days until Baltimore!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Day Sixteen
After a morning of discussing the politics and construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway with author (and NC professor) Anne Mitchell Whisnant, we hopped the bus and headed out to two locations, now highlighted on my Facebook page and above in the slideshow - First to the Linn Cove Viaduct, which was the last section of the Parkway completed (finished in 1985 after nearly 40 years of wrangling). We were able to walk under the Viaduct and get some pictures before heading to Linville Falls.
Following a mile long hike uphill, the view was SPECTACULAR! We then took a ride around the backside of Grandfather Mountain (but the old man was a bit tired so we did not visit) and headed back to App State.
Methinks I will be a bit sore tomorrow.
Oh, by the way, we hike to the top of the highest peak East of the Mississippi on an all day field trip tomorrow...Mt. Mitchell in the Black Mountains!
Following a mile long hike uphill, the view was SPECTACULAR! We then took a ride around the backside of Grandfather Mountain (but the old man was a bit tired so we did not visit) and headed back to App State.
Methinks I will be a bit sore tomorrow.
Oh, by the way, we hike to the top of the highest peak East of the Mississippi on an all day field trip tomorrow...Mt. Mitchell in the Black Mountains!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Day Fifteen
118 miles....only 1 state (North Carolina)...Discovered that Saturn Astra's do not particularly like mountains.....
We took our first ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway....stopped at E.B. Jeffress Park where I took a couple of mountain shots before we followed a trail to the top (and then bottom) of a waterfall....more photo ops! 38 in this workshop (6 from Florida) and with those numbers, and rarely working in cooperative groups, I don't think I will have the kind of bonding that we had in Texas....but...
The room is twice as big....we have all meals provided....and I am sitting with the windows open and a gentle, cool, mountain breeze is blowing into my room....It is bliss!
We took our first ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway....stopped at E.B. Jeffress Park where I took a couple of mountain shots before we followed a trail to the top (and then bottom) of a waterfall....more photo ops! 38 in this workshop (6 from Florida) and with those numbers, and rarely working in cooperative groups, I don't think I will have the kind of bonding that we had in Texas....but...
The room is twice as big....we have all meals provided....and I am sitting with the windows open and a gentle, cool, mountain breeze is blowing into my room....It is bliss!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Day Fourteen
Actually I rather wimped out today....opting to just sit and attempt to finish my last book on the blue Ridge Parkway. Everything is packed and I will be ready to head out to Boone in the morning.
It is always nice to come back to Charlotte and see the old town....so much has changed but Lupie's chili is still wonderful, the schools all look the same, as does the house, and Independence Blvd. is still under construction.
The saddest pert of the day was walking into O'Charley's restaurant and having the hostess (who was in her 20's) tell me that I look like her grandfather. There is no question - I am DEFINITELY dying my hair on my return. I will NOT be looking like anyone's grandfather!
It is always nice to come back to Charlotte and see the old town....so much has changed but Lupie's chili is still wonderful, the schools all look the same, as does the house, and Independence Blvd. is still under construction.
The saddest pert of the day was walking into O'Charley's restaurant and having the hostess (who was in her 20's) tell me that I look like her grandfather. There is no question - I am DEFINITELY dying my hair on my return. I will NOT be looking like anyone's grandfather!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Day Thirteen
All Charlotte...All the Time
Probably more than 100 miles....started at Discovery Place, which no one in this family will recognize....completely renovated....Challenger Room - gone....Rat Basketball - gone...Electricity Show in the Big Theater - gone....Traveling exhibits - gone. Now its all glitz and lights and electronics....still lots of hands on but all of the shows/programs are gone. It was disappointing....but I did get a couple of posters and a T-shirt...and got to talk with Ervin for a few minutes....as well as seeing a couple of others I used to work with...
From there I visited the old sights...First Ward, Chantilly, Northwest, and the old House....pictures are above...
AND....the absolute best junk store in the UNIVERSE - Ollie's where they had ALL of the old Star Trek figures at $2.99!!!! (I bought 6!)....and the world's greatest used media store....Magnolia....WOW!!! I could drop thousands in this store....but I behaved....I had to buy a small camera so I resisted!
Picked up a camera just like the ones they loaned us in Texas....so I am armed and ready for pictures on the Blue Ridge Parkway!
What will I do tomorrow?????
Probably more than 100 miles....started at Discovery Place, which no one in this family will recognize....completely renovated....Challenger Room - gone....Rat Basketball - gone...Electricity Show in the Big Theater - gone....Traveling exhibits - gone. Now its all glitz and lights and electronics....still lots of hands on but all of the shows/programs are gone. It was disappointing....but I did get a couple of posters and a T-shirt...and got to talk with Ervin for a few minutes....as well as seeing a couple of others I used to work with...
From there I visited the old sights...First Ward, Chantilly, Northwest, and the old House....pictures are above...
AND....the absolute best junk store in the UNIVERSE - Ollie's where they had ALL of the old Star Trek figures at $2.99!!!! (I bought 6!)....and the world's greatest used media store....Magnolia....WOW!!! I could drop thousands in this store....but I behaved....I had to buy a small camera so I resisted!
Picked up a camera just like the ones they loaned us in Texas....so I am armed and ready for pictures on the Blue Ridge Parkway!
What will I do tomorrow?????
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Day Twelve
I am in beautiful Gastonia! And its a good thing I arrived here when I did as I-85 northbound in Gastonia was closed after a bus rammed a tractor trailer, spinning it around and completely blocking the interstate in the middle of a bridge!
Today's tally....4 states (Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina....462 miles....no audiobooks, but I listened to the entire Who collection (all of Tommy, and 37 other songs, as well as my sixies folder on the iPod.....8 emails or Facebook messages from Texas workshop participants....4 new friends on Facebook.
Still no grandchildren.
The Hampton in Gastonia is Bee-utiful!!!! I confirmed that I do have enough clothing so I will not have to do another wash load until my return. Have presents for Mom, Anne, and Megan....but I didn't buy anything for me.
Yet!
Today's tally....4 states (Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina....462 miles....no audiobooks, but I listened to the entire Who collection (all of Tommy, and 37 other songs, as well as my sixies folder on the iPod.....8 emails or Facebook messages from Texas workshop participants....4 new friends on Facebook.
Still no grandchildren.
The Hampton in Gastonia is Bee-utiful!!!! I confirmed that I do have enough clothing so I will not have to do another wash load until my return. Have presents for Mom, Anne, and Megan....but I didn't buy anything for me.
Yet!
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