Toccoa to Athens

We've written about Meadow's new gear and such... here's how we got there, and where we've been since:

At the advice of C, our final host in South Carolina, we set off from Toccoa for Herds of Hooves Farm in Lavonia Georgia, an inspiring place of mustang rescue, progressive horse training, and quality lessons.  Hannah got to geek out over the joys of taming wild creatures, and Meadow got to chill in a pen next to the first equine she had met in a while, the tiniest pony on the farm.  She was thrilled.  The owners of the farm, A and J, served us a tasty meal, gave us a warm place to stay and were kind enough to trailer us to our next destination... Ila, GA (see post about Hannah and Meadow's new gear).  Yes folks, that's the second successful hitch-hike of Five Cent Fiddle!

Charging up: Our critters are solar powered.

There are frequently nights of camping in the woods between nights we spend in larger towns.  We are always courteous, we never make cook fires unless it's 100% safe, and we attempt to leave no trace; though we don't consider free organic fertilizer a trace (*pony wink*).  We have never been kicked out of any camping spot either by police or the owner of the land - we're respectful but sly creatures all of us.  Still, don't look for any pictures from our camping forays because "America" doesn't follow us into the woods with iPhones (thank goodness) and, of course, we're still camera-less.

Upon rolling into Athens, we immediately bumped into a fellow classmate of Hannah's from Warren Wilson College.  He wasn't hurt.  It IS a very small world.  H and his Lady showed us a stellar time of Athens.  She is a brilliant artist and organizer as displayed by her dumpster-turned-art-venue.  H is a talented sawmiller, pigraiser and rockstarrer.  Together they cooked us the finest, healthiest meal this side of Cowpie Cafe (see Warren Wilson... see Swannanoa... see Asheville... no really, these aren't dictionary entries... go see those places, folks).

The two chillest hind gut fermenters in Georgia. His sign said: Jesus loves everybunny.

Team B&B restaurant - voted best sweet potato fries on fivecentfiddle.blogspot.com - was captained by another outstanding Athenian, G.A., who allowed us to keep Meadow inside a secure fenced-in area for the evening that we needed to be pony-free.  In the years to come, we were told by GA that he will be taking Team B&B to a college town near you; a fact we believe that'll be as good for the community as it will be for the community's taste buds.  We can't thank all the Athens people enough for their kindness.

Other things that happened during the Athens visit: we got our jig on at a real, live Irish music jam, indoors no less; we busked to a sea of red and black for hours on a UGA homegameday (yes, but it should be word); and of course we met with our longtime stalkers from Seneca.  C and G delivered supplies from parents and Meadow's new coggins, and bought us things that we'd been needing.  Most importantly they delivered themselves and added a familiar, family-like sparkle to the evening.  Can't thank ya'll enough... see you in New Orleans? Texas? CO?

She's a chestnut! That red Georgia mud.

We also met B in Athens.  B, who bought us tacos and bought Meadow hay, gave us the absolute best Thanksgiving we could've hoped for, just south of Athens near Watkinsville.  We spent 3 days with this fine gentlemen, staying warm on a frigid night, dry in a 2 day rainstorm, well-fed before & after turkey day, entertained, educated, amalgamated - you name it.  A traveler in your own right, B, we'd love to see your smiling face on the road with us if/when vet school ever gives you a break.

Seeing the landscape begin to flatten out, feeling rested and road-ready, FCF decided to really log some miles, and that's just what we did.

rainy day

- FCF

Olive's daddy is bigger than everyone else's. When Harvey whoops and hollers to scare off the numerous dogs who want to come with us, she takes up  the chase like an underdog gang member.

Meadow relishes eating thistles, like a donkey.