Journey of Joy Week Two, Discovering Franklin NC

Landed at my new home-away-from-home in Franklin, NC on Feb 10th. We had a super-busy week, so apologies in advance for the length of this post...  On Sunday evening after a 5.5 hr drive from VA, met my dear friend and host, Lynn Grady, at her friends' house for a supper of Swiss-style Raclette. Another first. Later settled into her warm and welcoming guest suite -- all beach themed, with  mermaids in the bathroom and JOY right there on the bedroom wall.

JOY on the wall to bring me sweet dreams

Lynn grew up coming to these mountains of Western North Carolina. Her family had a beautiful summer house in the woods of Highlands, NC (4400' elevation). They came here from Rockledge FL every year to avoid the Florida heat - much like Stowe, Vermont summer homes for "flatlanders." She's been a great tour guide, and I've been awed by natural wonders almost daily in the NC State Parks -- waterfalls, scenic vistas, inviting hiking trails. The Appalachian Trail crosses hairpin Rte 64 up towards Highlands, 11 miles from Franklin, so there are outdoor gear stores and hiking clubs in this area.

Dry Falls is anything but in February!

Scenic overlooks abound, with tourist-friendly signposts

We "did" Asheville on Tuesday, only an hour away. It's a quirky, artsy college town with charm and wit on every corner. Plus, the largest Goodwill store I have ever seen! Even has a 60,000 sq ft Outlet Store in the back.

Dozens of shoppers search bins of Goodwill treasures.

Best find of the day - a perfect cardboard palm tree! 

Ideas for art projects in the Asheville shops

Lynn's dad, R.W. "Mac" Grady, former mayor of Rockledge, is retired here. On the 13th, he took us to a fun oldies concert in town. A Platters Tribute Band, plus a 60s Four Seasons-style group called the Sock Hops. We sang along, and loved every minute!

Platters Tribute Band

Lynn and her dad, R.W. "Mac" Grady

Walking a labyrinth in nearby Otto NC

Entryway to the Fairy Path at the labyrinth site - magical! 

My first ever fused glass project - ready for the kiln

Journey of Joy Week Two - Fairy Stones!

Feb 8-10: I spent two blissfully quiet nights at Fairy Stone State Park, in Stuart VA (about 58 miles south of Roanoke). CCC-built log cabins spaced along one end of the lake. Miles of hiking trails, and a special spot at the far north end of the park to hunt for the tiny and elusive "Fairy Stones." The cabins look rustic, but they are comfy-cozy with heat, lights, hot water, and fully equipped little kitchens. I will definitely be back, and recommend this hidden gem to couples or families looking for an idyllic weekend getaway.

Cabin 4 is the best cabin at Fairy Stone State Park, according to the logbook.

No cell, no internet, no TV -- just the warmth of a crackling fire and a good book. 

The view of Fairy Stone Lake from my front porch

Wintertime, and the hiking is easy...

A sweet little waterfall -- created by fairies for sure!

View of Blue Ridge Mountains from a high spot on the trail

Journey of Joy Week 1 Theme - Follow Your Dreams!

Time is flying on this amazing road trip, so finally here are some highlights of week one, Feb. 2 - Feb. 8, 2013. Theme of the week was FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS...

Animal Farm, Orwell VT
Started out on my trip one hour from Burlington, visiting my dear friend Diane St. Clair. Diane and her husband, Al Cerisse, run Animal Farm, a 10-cow Organic Dairy herd that produces exquisite European-style butter and buttermilk. Al is a bovine veterinarian - a mid-life career for him. Most of the butter is sold to the 4-star restaurants of Thomas Keller: The French Laundry and Per Se. Diane and her cows are featured in Keller's beautifully photographed cookbook on baking "Bouchon Bakery." Diane was a public health administrator when we shared a daycare slot in 1987. Living in the Hill section of Burlington near UVM, Diane and I baked on Mondays with our little ones, and we tried our hand at spinning wool and other age-old women's arts. She always dreamed of having horses and a farm. Fast forward more than 20 years, and thanks to her many talents, hard-earned lessons in farm management, spot-on decisions about which dairy products to sell, and just plain old stick-to-it-iveness, Diane's dreams are alive and well in Orwell, VT.

February dawn at Animal Farm - Orwell, VT (the bull calf is in his own pen)

Cousins Jen & Steve Horton moonlight as proprietors of Fifth of a Farm Creations.

Ageless Aunt Pat Hunt took me to our maternal grandmother Mia's memorial garden at Crosslands in Kennett Square, PA. Mia lived to almost 98 years young -- sure hope I inherit the Dunham genes!

Steve Horton's tour of Philly included a VIP tour of the former WFIL-TV studios, where I stood in the  American Bandstand dance hall, part of the early days of television. Proud to say that both my parents were pioneers in this center of broadcast revolution in the late 40's and 50's.

Philadelphia Stars, the Negro Baseball League, had a park dedicated to them a few years ago, thanks to the tireless work of cousin Steve Horton, community organizer extraordinaire. He collaborated with some of the living players who are named on this plaque.

Don't let the snow in southern Pennsylvania fool you. The pussy willows were in full bloom!

Chet's Four Rules of Road Trips

One week into my newly minted retirement status, I headed south on a 3-month road trip. I've dubbed it my "Journey of Joy." Visiting friends and family, seeing the sights, saying yes more than no, and seeking joy in new places.  During my last week at home, many of my Burlington friends and relatives stopped by to say good-bye, and offer suggestions of places to visit, people to see. My favorite words of advice were from my brother-in-law, Chet Thabault, a seasoned road tripper himself:

Chet's Four Rules of Road Trips

1. Never refuse free food.

2. For lunch, go to a rest stop, look for with the family with the biggest cooler, sit near them. Start chatting, then pull out a meager-looking sandwich. Refer to Rule #1.

3. Always look up Vermonters and people from your hometown.

4. Last but not least - Plan, but not too much.

If you want to follow my route, here is a link to a map of southeastern US, and my February itinerary: http://www.tripinfo.com/maps/Southeast.htm

Orwell VT
Philadelphia Pa
Stuart VA
Franklin NC
Knoxville TN
Franklin NC

And even though I have beds waiting for me, with wonderful hosts planning outings, I will take Chet's advice, stepping off the beaten path along the way.

We Believe Art Changes Everything

You never know what you're going to bump into in a new city. Here I sit in the Home Page Cafe of the Free Library of Philadelphia. I'm in the library to hunt possible articles or photos of the early days of WFIL-TV, when my parents were involved in producing shows. I did uncover some good information, and sources for further research. First let me say that putting cafes inside public libraries was a smart move. So far I have lunched in the Ferguson Library in Stamford, CT; the Boston Public Library; and now the main branch of the Free Library. Fletcher Free Library in Burlington, I hope you follow this trend!

But what is inspiring me today are the art exhibits on the walls and display cases throughout this venerable building.

A giant boot welcomes you into the Photos and Images room on the 2d floor. Titled "Every Little Detail" by Gail Gaines, it honors the slave and Victorian quilting traditions while "celebrating the strength and depth of women's imagination and ingenuity in the face of great hardships."

A long gallery on the first floor hold 21 hand stitched flags from the Rosen collection of Asafo Military Flags of the Fante People on the coast of Ghana. Google them! You will learn about flag art in centuries of tribal rivalry, coded proverbs, and displays of prowess.

And back in the Photo room, this poster wraps on a stately column - I love its emphatic statement about the power of Art. Amen.