The Scenic Road Home

Last Wednesday Sheila and I took our usual route to Joneborough, Tennessee for the National Storytelling Festival, mostly along Interstate highways 75, 40, and 81. That was a mistake. Those highways sometimes seemed more parking lot than freeway. By the time I'd deposited Sheila near the Library Tent where Donald Davis would present his usual pre-festival evening program, found and parking spot, and walked several blocks back to the tent, Donald was already being introduced.

So when it was time to come home we decided we'd take the scenic route. Our host, John Vogt, suggested we follow state highway 81 south from Joneborough to Interstate 26 to Asheville, NC. From there we consulted Siri and followed her route through southwest North Carolina back to Georgia.

It took us, with several stops, a good bit longer, but what a gorgeous drive on an equally gorgeous fall day.

Here is a photo log of the day

The fog creates an eerie and very different view off the front porch of this beautiful home this morning.

The fall colors seem intensified by the fog.

At an overlook in Tennessee but near the North Carolina line...

... three nice ladies offered to take our picture.

A few miles farther along we stopped at the North Carolina welcome center.

The welcome center had a nice collection of artwork that included this folk art made of found objects.

It is difficult for me to come within sight of Lake Junaluska without a sentimental stop .  Today took about an hour for huge single scoop each of Cappuccino Crunch ice cream at the gift shop and a slow drive around the lake.

We drove slowly through Nantahala Gorge enjoying the scenery but without stopping till we came to Pattons Run Overlook.

At Pattons Run Overlook I recorded this sign to add to my growing photo collection of "Signage that may some day inspire signage at Arrowhead". 

The Nantahala at Pattons Run Wass beautifully decorated with stained-glass-like sourwood and maple. leaves...

...and great light...

...on the water.

One Last day of Storytelling in Jonesborough

Under Construction

 

On our way up to breakfast I had to take a picture of this inviting room we pass through. John and Diane built this wonderful home themselves and made much use of architectural bits and pieces they found. For example they built the bookcases to use the glass doors they bought separately.

The sunrise over misty hills is gorgeous this morning.

While we await our breakfast we enjoy the view.

Not a painting.

John's German pancake (more like a soufflé) is an annual treat. It is served with cooked apples from the farm, vanilla yogurt, sausages, OJ and coffee.

Our fellow guest Nancy with Diane: breakfast is served.

Home to Jonesborough

The first full week in October is, for me and Sheila (and a few thousand fellow storytelling/listening enthusiasts) a very special time every year. Since 2009 we have always planned to be here in Joneborough, Tennessee for the National Storytelling Festival. Since 2013 we have always planned to be at Storybrook Farm, the beautiful bed and breakfast enterprise of John and Diane Vogt. Then came the pandemic. In 2020 and 2021 we had to attend "virtually". But we are back. John and Diane have retired and closed the B&B, BUT have invited us to stay this year anyway!

Tonight Donald Davis, the dean of American storytellers, gave us a little over an hour of his stories of growing up in Waynesville in the mountains of North Carolina. I had heard most of those stories before, but still enjoyed every minute. Wetting his pants in first grade. Knocking out his classmate's tooth in second grade. Trips to the principals office in junior high and high school. Skipping school with the valedictorian and salutatorian senior year. Stories of embarrassment, mischief, and love. How wonderful to get to know his teachers and classmates and feel his appreciation for each of them.

Jonesborough is not my hometown at all. But arriving here, especially after this long absence, feels a lot like coming home.