A Twelve Dollar View

Today we had our share of mild disappointments and happy surprises. First off we were disappointed to find that Fort Defiance had indeed defied us by taking advantage of its “hours of operation are subject to change” policy. We considered hopping the driveway chain but instead opted to look for lunch. When we first arrived in town we inqured at the ABC Liquor store about recommendations for where to eat. Without hesitation the lovely sales clerk said enthusiastically that Woodland Barbecue was the place to go. Her co-worker growled “I don' eat in Blowin' Rock” when asked the same question. Ken and I have spent the last two days trying to perfect our southern accents by using this phrase (be sure and ask us for our rendition when you see us next time).

Woodland Barbecue is the kind of place where the seating is picnic tables with benches and the napkins are a full roll of Brawny paper towels permanently fixed to the table. The crowd looked to be locals, truck drivers and the occasional “city mouse” on excursion to the country. We didn't see any high falootin' hoity toity Blowing Rock country club matrons there for sure – it was definitely our kind of place. Ken order the sliced pork and I ordered the combo platter of ribs and chicken. How was I to know that my selection would contain one half of a giant chicken and a half slab of gigantic ribs? The table almost tipped over when the waitress set the plate down and she seemed to delight in announcing in that sweet sweet southern drawl of hers that I'd seemed to ordered enough food for the two of us. Well I'll be...

After about thirty minutes this was all that was left...

After lunch we decided to see what all the hoopla was about THE Blowing Rock. Turns out THE Blowing Rock is a privately owned tourist trap with a cheesy “legend” and a $6 admission fee (though after walking away from the $69 admission to the Biltmore House in Asheville this seemed like a bargain). The views are extraordinary and the grounds are beautiful.The gift shop however is loaded with every kind of kitschy souvenir known to man – from bumper stickers to snow globes to tee shirts and back scratchers. We deemed it a mild disappointment and every time we saw a beautiful view out the car window we'd say "Now there's a $12 view".

Our last stop of the day was a trip to Bolick Family Pottery Studio. The brochure proudly annouced that they were a family of potters dating back five generations. Lula Owens Bolick is the proud daughter of famous NC potter M.L. Owens. She lives and works on an old homestead in a holler just outside of Blowing Rock that has been the “home place” of her husband's family for generations

The property is dotted with old out buildings

several outhousesand log cabins, and even has a small covered bridge spanning a little creek.

We purchased a red pitcher with a wood-fired glaze from her and four gorgeous mugs with the same glaze from her daughter who lives and works next door. Guess that makes it six generations of traditional NC potters in the Bolick family. This is Lula's lifetime collection of face jugs.Some are a little scary...

A small music shed is permanently set up in a grove of trees for pickin' and grinnin' and the house band's competition ribbons are proudly displayed there.How we wished we'd timed our visit to hear them.

At the end of the day we eventually found ourselves on the gravel road and at the gate leading to the cottage.

Only this time I made Ken stop the car so I could get out and take some shots of the creek that runs along side of the road. Near the edge of the water a group of butterflies were congregating. I have never seen so many in one spot and in so many colors.

Tonight is our last night at Sherwood Cottage. It's been wonderful to be away from the hectic nature of our daily lives. I am starting to miss my kitties and my friends though. Tomorrow we begin our journey home.