You know, we wish that we could relay each amazing story in detail, each interesting event that happens to us on the road, every zany person, every adorable pet, all the 2 minute conversations in which strangers become friends simply because there's a cute brown pony walking down the road... but seriously, why would anyone buy the book? (That's a joke) Still, we simply can't cram all that info into a blog so, as usual, here are the highlights...
With Hendersonville in the rear-view mirror (by the way Harvey needs one of these for his bike helmet), we trucked down the open road of Hwy 64 for the first time as 'Five Cent Fiddle Plus' - that's the version with a bike. Hannah was enjoying her freedom of movement so much and Meadow was enjoying her shoes so much that we made it down the road a full 10 miles almost without break. By evening we were looking for the big 2 (that's food and shelter, which, along with the open road are, in fact, the only things that Five Cent Fiddle has set in stone for this trip).
Our various feet and wheels brought us to a town called Etowah. It was a one horse town... once we got there. Right away we met the owner of the Blue Ridge Pizza Company outside his fine establishment and he offered us food and an inside gig. With the temperatures cooling rapidly we were glad to play indoors for once, and to an excellent crowd no less. The food was incredible (world's best Greek dressing!), the staff courteous and the patrons giving. Thanks a million.
We stayed the night with a cool guy, we'll call him M, keeping with our custom not to use folks' full names. Good bonfire, good brew, good sleep.
In the morning we set a quick pace on down to Brevard and took care of a few errands (getting ice cream is an errand!). That evening we had the most special and unique treat of our whole trip. We met fellow travelers. Ten amazing people, 4 sleek horses, 3 wagons of varying sizes, a zillion instruments and the most beautiful, brilliant theater/puppet show we or anyone else at Brevard College had ever seen. Truth be told, the horses had trailered home that morning, so Meadow didn't get to meet her would-be friends, but the show was a fine, genuine vaudevillian production. They asked us to open for them, which we did (biggest crowd we had played for yet) and even invited us back to their house. We can't thank you guys enough - wish we were that cool - and can't wait for next year's tour!
Here's the link to the Rural Academy's website: http://okcancel.org/horsetour
Brevard treated us very well. We played an impromptu evening show at Dugan's, earning another truly excellent meal and camped outside at the BMC, where Harvey interned as a sound engineer 3 years back. The temperatures were forecast to drop well below freezing as the week went on, so we really needed a place indoors to stay (remember Hannah was between sleeping bags at the time). God provided.
A lovely couple, who had seen us in Hendersonville, took us in and let us sleep in their tidy, warm guest house for not one, but two nights. We ate and talked with them and played music for their son - everyday activities for us that really warm the spirit when the company is so special. We carved them a pumpkin, which has become Hannah's autumnal calling card... other than the many literal cards we hand out with the blog address (chances are if you're reading this you have one).
The music scene was good too. We played on the street, we played in bars like The Phoenix and The Square Root, we even got to play at Marco's with our good friend Nate - the Mandolin maestro appearing on our album. Other friends we made along the way, whose houses we were graciously invited to, include M&G, sorry about the trellis and we loved your dog/rabbits/stories/smiles; R, thanks for reaching out to strangers at a gas station; and S&S, Meadow liked your backyard, Olive liked playing with your puppy and we loved your company, though the shed could've used a heater (just kidding! wink).
There was a street festival our last day in town, which was a good send off. With all the little kids dressed up for Halloween, it seemed the proper venue to give a few pony rides. Meadow was chill as usual, earning Hannah a gluten-free slice of cake in exchange for a birthday pony ride. Thanks Meadow!
The 28th we left Brevard in rainy conditions, though with ponchos and dry sacks, everything moisture sensitive stayed dry. We had also bought much needed winter coats the previous afternoon, thanks, Goodwill. Lunch that day was Cheerwine, chips and cheese - a worthy roadside snack. Rosman wasn't as as far as we thought - or maybe we were just getting faster. There we tried out a few saddles (Hannah determined the bareback/pad riding thing is too difficult with winter gear in tow) but we didn't find anything we wanted. We did find a campfire and two new friends, S and R. Thanks for your hospitality.
This morning we walked a few miles past Ridge Haven summer camp to a place called The Red Lion Inn where we met a cool young lady, N, who gave us breakfast. She took some great pictures and sent us off with a smile... up the hill, across the Eastern Continental Divide and down the other side into a crisp, colorful South Carolina afternoon.
Here's a link to a collection of pictures a photographer took of us around her house in Hendersonville. Thanks N&C... https://plus.google.com/
- FCF
Olive runs alongside the bike and knows to stay out of the road even sprinting at bike speeds; as far as canines go, she is road-trip perfection
Meadow is the world's greatest ice-breaker, everyone feels happy and conversational simply upon seeing her
With Hendersonville in the rear-view mirror (by the way Harvey needs one of these for his bike helmet), we trucked down the open road of Hwy 64 for the first time as 'Five Cent Fiddle Plus' - that's the version with a bike. Hannah was enjoying her freedom of movement so much and Meadow was enjoying her shoes so much that we made it down the road a full 10 miles almost without break. By evening we were looking for the big 2 (that's food and shelter, which, along with the open road are, in fact, the only things that Five Cent Fiddle has set in stone for this trip).
Our various feet and wheels brought us to a town called Etowah. It was a one horse town... once we got there. Right away we met the owner of the Blue Ridge Pizza Company outside his fine establishment and he offered us food and an inside gig. With the temperatures cooling rapidly we were glad to play indoors for once, and to an excellent crowd no less. The food was incredible (world's best Greek dressing!), the staff courteous and the patrons giving. Thanks a million.
We stayed the night with a cool guy, we'll call him M, keeping with our custom not to use folks' full names. Good bonfire, good brew, good sleep.
Here's the link to the Rural Academy's website: http://okcancel.org/horsetour
Brevard treated us very well. We played an impromptu evening show at Dugan's, earning another truly excellent meal and camped outside at the BMC, where Harvey interned as a sound engineer 3 years back. The temperatures were forecast to drop well below freezing as the week went on, so we really needed a place indoors to stay (remember Hannah was between sleeping bags at the time). God provided.
A lovely couple, who had seen us in Hendersonville, took us in and let us sleep in their tidy, warm guest house for not one, but two nights. We ate and talked with them and played music for their son - everyday activities for us that really warm the spirit when the company is so special. We carved them a pumpkin, which has become Hannah's autumnal calling card... other than the many literal cards we hand out with the blog address (chances are if you're reading this you have one).
The music scene was good too. We played on the street, we played in bars like The Phoenix and The Square Root, we even got to play at Marco's with our good friend Nate - the Mandolin maestro appearing on our album. Other friends we made along the way, whose houses we were graciously invited to, include M&G, sorry about the trellis and we loved your dog/rabbits/stories/smiles; R, thanks for reaching out to strangers at a gas station; and S&S, Meadow liked your backyard, Olive liked playing with your puppy and we loved your company, though the shed could've used a heater (just kidding! wink).
There was a street festival our last day in town, which was a good send off. With all the little kids dressed up for Halloween, it seemed the proper venue to give a few pony rides. Meadow was chill as usual, earning Hannah a gluten-free slice of cake in exchange for a birthday pony ride. Thanks Meadow!
The 28th we left Brevard in rainy conditions, though with ponchos and dry sacks, everything moisture sensitive stayed dry. We had also bought much needed winter coats the previous afternoon, thanks, Goodwill. Lunch that day was Cheerwine, chips and cheese - a worthy roadside snack. Rosman wasn't as as far as we thought - or maybe we were just getting faster. There we tried out a few saddles (Hannah determined the bareback/pad riding thing is too difficult with winter gear in tow) but we didn't find anything we wanted. We did find a campfire and two new friends, S and R. Thanks for your hospitality.
This morning we walked a few miles past Ridge Haven summer camp to a place called The Red Lion Inn where we met a cool young lady, N, who gave us breakfast. She took some great pictures and sent us off with a smile... up the hill, across the Eastern Continental Divide and down the other side into a crisp, colorful South Carolina afternoon.
Here's a link to a collection of pictures a photographer took of us around her house in Hendersonville. Thanks N&C... https://plus.google.com/
- FCF
Olive runs alongside the bike and knows to stay out of the road even sprinting at bike speeds; as far as canines go, she is road-trip perfection
Meadow is the world's greatest ice-breaker, everyone feels happy and conversational simply upon seeing her
Awesome. Keep the posts coming.
ReplyDeleteHey guys! I have been thinking of you since you left my neighborhood this evening. Had to look up your story. I hope you found a safe place to sleep. I'm sorry I didn't do more to help you on your journey:(
ReplyDelete