Sailing, Section-Hikers & Singing in the Smokies

North America » United States » North Carolina » Hendersonville
June 9th 2006

Published: July 13th 2006

May 18 - June 3, 2006 Biloxi, Miss. - Hendersonville, N.C. 9,246 miles to date 1,490 miles this leg Apologies for technical difficulties that delayed the posting of this entry... On May 18, Jeff and I celebrated our four-year wedding anniversary with a significant outing: we went sailing for the first time since leaving Port Townsend. Jeff later argued that it wasn’t really sailing because we... Read Full Entry

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Shelly & Jeff Randall

Waltzing Matilda

We are a writer/photographer and a land-use planner from Port Townsend, Wash., who quit our jobs to take a year-long "sabbatical" for the 12 months of 2006. Our travel vehicle was a Volkswagen Westfalia camper-van named Matilda, after the Australian phrase (and song) "Waltzing Matilda" -- meaning to hit the road with your possessions slung in a bag over your shoulder. We were glad not to be wandering on foot like those Aussie swagmen! We had a memorable trip waltzing around the U.S. and Canada, learning as much as we could about this vast and diverse continent we call home. So glad we di... full info

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Donna & Chad

Our hosts in Monroe, Ga.: Donna and Chad, who showed us all around the historic restoration projects in their hometown and points nearby.

Chad's House

This is the classic Southern front-porch home that Chad is restoring as an eventual residence for himself. Very impressive!

Biodiesel Manufacture

Rick runs this small-scale biodiesel manufacturing operation at his ranch near Atlanta, Ga. He lucked out in acquiring surplus stainless steel tanks with gauges, valves, heat jackets and agitators from a chemical company that was going out of business!

Together in Lawrenceville, Ga.

Us in front of the county courthouse in Lawrenceville, Ga., where we later leaned Larry Flynt was gunned down on the front steps! (He survived.)

Erin & Darrell

Met up with Shelly's childhood friend Erin and her husband Darrell in Lawrenceville, Ga.

Joshua & Amanda

We left Erin & Darrell's nine-month-old son home with Aunt Amanda and went out to dinner.

Banjo Grammy Award Winner

Marc Pruett, the banjo player with the Whitewater Bluegrass Co., has won a Grammy Award for his banjo picking. Look at that wink when he finished a particularly demanding riff!

Little Clogger

On Memorial Day we attended a homey little music festival at the Carl Sandburg Home in Hendersonville, N.C. The stars of the show were the kid cloggers.

Clogger Grin

Look at how much fun she's having!

Lightning Bolts

Laura Boosinger got us comp tickets to the Mountain Echoes heritage festival in Clyde, N.C., where she performed with David Holt & the Lightning Bolts. She's playing banjo at left, along with David & Josh. We got the band's latest CD so we can keep listening to their great sounds on the road.

David w Washboard

David Holt said he learned to play the washboard from a 122-year-old woman in North Carolina who, when he met her, was the oldest person in the U.S. Note the wood block and tin cup attached to the frame.

Josh w Mandolin

Josh Goforth was an amazing 25-year-old musician who could play fiddle, mandolin (shown here), and the most exciting flat-picked guitar we'd ever heard!

Making Hominy

This fellow was demonstrating how to make corn hominy at the Clyde, N.C., heritage festival. Here he's boiling the kernels in lye. We bought some hominy and made a casserole.

Leah, Stephanie, Ken

Our hosts in Hendersonville, N.C.: 8-year-old Leah, Shelly's second cousin Stephanie, and Ken.

10th June 2006

Professor Numskull
non-member comment

Sheer Envy!
I recognize most of the places you’ve been, but, sadly none of the folks you’re visiting. I so look forward to the next batch of pictures even though they don’t mean anything to me, because you make me want to see my family. I’m thinking of taking a road trip myself. Happy Trails, Professor Numskull

10th June 2006

Jamie
non-member comment

Love the pictures
Shelly - I really enjoyed reading your recent entry. The pictures are great! I can't wait to see all of them. Stay cool!!! Jamie

22nd June 2006

Stephanie
non-member comment

In Shelly's defense, there were more kids than balloons because a few siblings of the second graders were at the picnic. Mrs. Pettit's class loved the balloons and have sent their thanks for all of Shelly's hard work.

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