And Now for Something Completely Authentic

If I had to pick one thing I'd never forget from our holiday in North Carolina, I'm not sure what it would be. The canoe ride, the play, being with family. It was all terrific. But one thing was really authentic down to the bone.

The Carolina Barbecue.

Rick loves barbecue. Our other favorite place, Doc's in Columbia, SC, didn't fit the agenda this year, and while we found a pretty decent chain for lunch it was -- well, not authentic.

But while he was on his ride, he discovered the Carolina Barbecue in Newland, NC. He learned there was music there that evening and we decided we had to take his dad and Kathy there for dinner.

So, off we went. Let me describe -- you walk in and order at the counter. I ordered the "Small Plate." It came with two sides, hush puppies and meat. $6.95 -- and not so small!

Then while it's being prepared, you find your seat in the main room -- checkered table cloths, tables close together. At the front of the room a bluegrass/country-style mountain band is playing -- and playing well.

People are dancing between the tables, clogging with their taps, doing the two-step.

Everyone is dressed like -- well, real people. No tourist clothes there, except us. As Kathy pointed out, Rick and his dad were the only ones not in jeans!

The band was great, the food was better. The desserts (cobblers) were delicious.

Only one other table looked as though they were passing through. The American vacation -- all this life and energy going on and the kid couldn't keep his eyes off his iPad!

Well, there was one old fellow there who was an amazing dancer! He was dancing with lots of people (seemed like everyone did), including our waitress.

Kathy said he was famous in those parts, a well known dancer. When I went up to get a photo of the band, Rick said to him, "Jeanie would love to dance with you." (Which was true -- Rick has many wonderful qualities but liking to dance isn't one of them.)

So, Bob Aldrich and I tripped the light fantastic. He taught me the simple rhythm and in no time at all I felt as though I was part of the gang.

He showed me his photos -- he'd just done a TV appearance in Durham the week before. He also gave Rick and I his phone number and was very chatty. When a second song started, we danced again.

The photos don't do it justice. Relyn calls some moments "unphotographable" and this was one of them.

But it was so very memorable! He was a genuine character -- truly authentic.

And so was the experience. If you're in that part of the country on a weekend, check out the Carolina Barbecue in Newland, NC -- and if you're lucky, Bob will be there. Don't be shy! Ask him to dance! (And leave the iPad at home!)

(Sorry the photos are a more than a tad fuzzy; dim lighting and a zoom full out, plus lots of movement do not crisp shots make! Like I said, "unphotographable!")

Doing Something "New"

I haven't been in a canoe for a few years. But I was excited when I heard that canoeing was on the schedule during our visit. Could anything be more fun?

Maybe. But I'm not so sure! A perfect day, a beautiful river, just the right temperature -- ideal!

We journeyed to the New River, which has its start in Blowing Rock. We were on the South Fork of the river.

Blessed with a cloudy sky but a lovely day (which helped keep the temperature down), we paddled down the river -- generally in good spirits (apart from the times that Rick couldn't deal with my style of paddling)!

And yes, I did steer us into the rocks more than once. But we didn't fall out!

We were a happy crew (except for the rock and paddle incidents) -- our canoe and the one handled by Rick's dad and Kathy!

The scenery was magnificent. Haze over the mountains in the background, sweet smelling air.

I loved seeing the turf around the river. There were lots of McMansions, but this house struck me more. (Gotta love the laundry.)

And there were cows grazing along the river bank.

I just loved that! And the butterflies I saw so often in North Carolina were in full force once again!

I think everyone would agree that we had a wonderful time -- I know I did!

Our trip also included seeing a wonderful production of "The Sound of Music," and I enjoyed running into Rick during a shopping trip in town.

Although I have to say, when he rode off -- as it so often happens -- my heart was in my throat and I was glad to see him back home.

Our three days were all too short. I loved spending time with Rick's family, cooking together...

...though truth be told, when it came to the cooking department, we really were slackers!

But the dinners were wonderful!

There was time to watch the moon, see the array of stars in the night sky.

Time to catch up, time to laugh, time to relax.

Yes, time to watch the birds.

Farewell is never easy for me, nor is returning to the "real world" after a holiday. This time was no exception!

She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain!

Well, Myrtle Beach was heaven. I'm not sure anything could have got us to leave except the promise of the mountains!

We took off in the morning, making an early stop!

The peaches in South Carolina are to die for. I've never had peaches sweeter and while I'm sure my Georgia friends might take exception, there is definitely some competition!

I was so impressed with all the garden stands I saw along the road. In Michigan you don't often see them like this -- perhaps a small stand where someone is unloading their overly prolific zucchini, but that's rare.

These had a vast array of jams -- a quart for $5.

And boiled peanuts -- I'm told these are boiled in a salt water solution while in the shell. They had an odd consistency, but were tasty.

Rick bought sweet potatoes, his favorite! Then it was off again, destination North Carolina.

I'm not a fan of Rick's GPS, but I have to admit it was fun watching the elevation change as we approached the mountains.

I particularly loved the rock walls -- massive amounts of rock (and mountain) had been blasted through for the roads, and the views were spectacular.

The views got better when we arrived at Rick's dad's house at the top of Sugar Mountain, near Banner Elk and not far from Boone.

If you've followed the Marmelade Gypsy for awhile, you may have noticed similar photos taken last year. Trust me, these are this year's birds!

And I was a sucker for them, waiting, using the zoom at the max! I never did nail the hummingbirds, though!

One of my favorite things to do when I'm there is go antiquing.

I loved this French booth in the Foscoe antique mall...

...and if I had more cupboard space, I would have walked away with these!

Without doubt, if there was more car space, this trolley would have come home -- can't you imagine it in the art room?

And I loved these musical instruments. I don't know much about them, but the mandolin was similar to one I have -- broken in the same places. The price was right at $350!

I so admire good antique mall styling -- I see a lot of that in Blogland. It's not easy, and when you see it done well, it's really an incentive!

Well, off to another -- I liked this big sign, but no room!

The next spot I stopped was way out of my league price wise -- but not to worry! It had a lovely garden!

And the butterflies were really out in force. I almost couldn't count them all, and they varied in color. The yellow ones were my favorite (yellow swallowtail, I think).

The darker ones had some pretty markings, too, when they caught the light just right.

Time to move on -- this time to a nursery. No purchases here, but isn't the fence fun?

Later that afternoon, Rick's stepmom and I headed to the Mast General Store -- a landmark in Valle Crucis, NC. I wrote about it here last year.

This time we also stopped at the Annex, where candy is the name of the game!

Loved the old barrels and saw lots of vintage candies -- the ones you didn't think they made anymore!

Oh -- and we made one more pick-up along the way.

Yes, Rick opted for a ride up the mountain. True, he had gone 60 miles or so. The idea of going almost straight up for about two miles of winding, highly graded road just seemed a little much -- especially since we were passing by!

Well, day one was nearing its end. But there's more to come! So for today, my bird friends and I say, "see you soon!"

(Next time -- more in the mountains!)