Decoration Day = Memorial Day

May 30th

It appears that lately I cannot escape Decoration Day.  But just why do we decorate at Memorial Day?

Decorated Office at Indian Creek Campground

Alan Jabbour sparked my first recent recollection of the term at a house concert in 2009 where he played fiddle and Ken Perlman the banjo.  During a break he discussed the recent book written by he and Karen Singer Jabbour, Decoration Day in the Mountains.  This discussion brought to mind my childhood in St. Augustine (FL) when we would visit and decorate family graves on an annual basis.  

Shortly after arriving in North Carolina Karen and Alan presented a formal discussion of the book in Cullowhee at the Western Carolina University Mountain Heritage Center.  The trip was about an hour and worthy of the drive across the mountains to hear the lecture and see the campus.

A week later we obtained a flyer for hikes in Deep Creek from the Chamber of Commerce in Bryson City, NC.  Further study of the pamphlet revealed the back page a listing of the dates for decoration days at regional cemeteries.  Ah, the plot thickens...

Cemetery in the Smokey Mountain National Park

So, it came as little surprise when listening to WUNC NPR last evening the radio host shared Memorial Day was previously called Decoration Day.

A little search in the great Digital Library (Internet) reveals the first recorded observance as
On April 25, 1866, in Columbus, Mississippi, a women's association decorated the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers. In a nation trying to find a way to move on after a war that split the country, states, communities and even families, this gesture was welcomed as a way to lay the past to rest while honoring those who had fought on either side.
This from a trusted source, About.com.  Notice once again the women were ahead of the pack in honoring the fallen soldiers.  More important they wanted to let bygones be bygone and honor all soldiers regardless of their political persuasion.  Perhaps our elected officials should follow their lead and represent all people rather than their 'base'.  

It was 1868 when General John Logan set May 30th as the date to decorate graves of the fallen.  Almost 100 years later in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson made May 30th an official holiday and in 1971 the holiday was renamed Memorial Day and moved to the last Monday in May.  

Family celebrating Memorial Day

So there you have the history and meaning of the day.  As we celebrate a three day weekend with friends and family perhaps we should reflect on those who have given much for our country and not only the soldiers who died protecting our country.  Then I urge you to be a patriot and question the necessity of war.

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Decoration Day

Tea with Juliette OR How we became involved with the Girl Scouts

May 16^th

“What is a tea party without a little harp music?”  

Billy posed this question to Sebrina Crowe after reading the flyer for a Daisy Girl Scout event while waiting for a hair cut.  You see Billy’s mission for the morning was a hair cut at Crowe’s Barber Shop.  Fortunate for me, Sebrina had time to trim my hair which gave Billy time to consider the tea.  Sebrina and her daughter are active in the Girl Scouts and want to share this opportunity with other girls. Before we left the shop sporting smart cuts we volunteered to play for the upcoming Daisy Tea Party. 

Now, the harp has taken a back seat to banjo and fiddle lately so we needed to practice the tunes.  Our nightly practice sessions drew campers to our fire pit for listening sessions.  Before we realized it the old tunes were back in the hands and heads, some with revised words for this event.  Who would have though The TomBigbee River would be a perfect Girl Scout song for this area? 

     Tom Bigbee ==> Tuckasegee

     Gum tree canoe ==> Girl Scout canoe

     Jacob ==> Juliette (for Juliette Gordon Low, the Girl Scout’s founder)

Of course the set would not be complete without a couple of Don Grooms’ songs which tell meaningful stories of Cherokee and his family.  More important, his words mirror the Girl Scout philosophy. 

Well, May 16^th arrives and we drive to Bryson City for the event.  The first person we meet is Karen Bartlett (regional director) who greets us with a big smile.  Then Karen introduces her daughter (who later plays Juliette), her granddaughter, and several others who are decorating the tables.  

Karen Bartlett, Girl Scout coordinator

Parents and children arrive as we set chairs in a circle to organize a playing area. 

Girls singing along

As the girls arrive they are directed towards our circle where the select a chair and join in with the music.  We engage the girls with conversation, music, stories, and songs.  Most are shy about singing but are happy to listen to our offerings.  One girl begins to dance joyously as we play a few reels, her dancing is infectious and soon all the girls, “Juliette”, and several parents join into a circle for several tunes. 

Juliette Gordon Low supervising Karen

Eventually it is time for other activities, paper dolls followed by tea and finally a romp in the playground.  The event is well received and fun for the girls as Karen and Sebrina understand organizing for young girls. 

Closing Circle with leaders and Juliette

Thank you to the Girl Scouts peaks to the piedmont for the opportunity to share our talents.

For membership information you may contact Karen Bartlett at 828-736-3385

Greenways - The Smart Way to Travel

May 24th

The last few trips have had a common transportation theme, bicycles.  In truth, we have not bicycled from the campground but used the bicycles at our destinations: Deep Creek,  Franklin, Lake Junaluska, and Waynesville.  

Oops wrong trail... this is not a bike route!

It all started when Bill said "We  haven't been on the bikes lately."  As usual he was correct so we started looking for bicycling adventures.  You know how that goes don't you?  Put a thought into the universe and forces combine to provide opportunity.  

Deep Creek in the Smoky Mountain National Park.
Perhaps you recall this area from our previous hikes.  Several of the trails are old forest service and/or logging roads thus lending themselves to a multi-use designation.  

The slope was gentle and the gravel and streams provided the challenge.  We stopped to gaze at yet another waterfall before the trail split.  However, the biggest challenge is reading the trail guide correctly which we learned is an art as I selected a foot path.  

Little Tennessee River Greenway

The following day we drove to Franklin taking Hwy 28 which you can easily consider a backroad. This is a twisty two lane road that reminded me of summer trips to "The Mountains" and all Floridians my age understand that "The Mountains" meant North Carolina near the Blue Ridge Parkway.  It was a great drive with a stop to pick Strawberries and chat with the local produce workers.

Thus we arrived in Franklin a bit later than anticipated.  A wrong turn uncovered a park near the river so we stopped to explore.  It was then we discovered the Franklin Greenway which invited us for a walk.

The information booth indicated this was a relatively long path with multiple parks, covered bridges, shops, and stops along the way.  Hmmm, sounds like a good place to bicycle!

The greenway traverse the city by following the river; it bypasses the auto traffic and provides an efficient means for alternate traffic.   There are also areas to support solitude, relaxation, gardening, exercise, and wildlife.  

Two Families of Canadian Geese

About a week later we decided a return to Lake Junaluska was in order and this trip was to bicycle the lake and the Greenways in the Waynesville area.  So off we went.

The trip around Lake Junaluska is beautiful and relaxing.  Most of the trip follows a path around the lake but in a few areas using the road is the safer choice.

The Lake Junaluska connector to the Waynesville Greenway was the main focus of the trip after leaving the lake.  This 5.3 mile route allows one to safely bicycle from Junaluska to Waynesville as it winds along the river and major roads, industrial parks and educational centers, shops and houses.  We never completed the entire journey as once again we were running later than anticipated.  

Avoiding the highway is the name of the game with a greenway

Guess our next trip to Waynesville will include the remainder of the Waynesville Greenway.

One Saturday Morning in Cherokee NC

May 11th 

Saturday arrives and the work schedule indicates we start at 2 PM.  With an early start we can explore the local swap meet and the downtown Oconaluftee Islands Park.  Time to get moving.

On the way down the mountain the sky clears but clouds still threaten rain, the key word here is threaten.  Spending time in the outdoors teaches you to carry rain gear and not fear the threat of rain - remember 50% chance of rain also means 50% chance of no rain.

In town we wind the streets looking for the swap meet and as promised it does appear.  This is obviously a community gathering resembling huge yard sale with tables, rugs, car hoods, and pickup tailgates filled with the 'family treasures'.  'Family treasures' is the code for 'stuff you no longer need and hope to salvage some of the original value'.  A lady behind a card table sells bean bread, banana bread, and cookies.  A family hopes to sell baby clothes, work boots, and viewed DVDs.  There are several groups selling expired clothes and a few craftswomen with treasures.  Yes, I was lured by the display of crochet necklaces sporting local stones.  

The rain starts and the 'vendors' begin to pack up their displays and treasures while I store my purchases (jeans, anklet, bread) in the car.  Driving back through town Bill is intrigued by the local herb shop and decides to stop.  The shop demands an air of reverence with its' beads, herbs, books, Cherokee musical instruments, and the required souvenir section.  The flute CD playing in the background mellows your mood.  From past experiences with churches and spiritual centers I conclude this is a store for meditation and spiritual materials.  

Back in the parking lot we notice vendor tents, signs, and balloons at the Visitors Center.  We learn this is Spring Fling, an event to thank visitors.  Unfortunately, due to the threat of rain there are few visitors or vendors.  Regardless, we tour the tents and visitor center. enjoy the event.  One vendor is busily making tacos and roasting corn; looking too good to pass up we purchase a several tacos, corn, and tamales.  Now where to dine?  The visitor center porch looks promising and walking to the back we find the perfect dining spot: rockers, a fantastic view of the river, and chatty folks.  

It is almost time to return but not before we explore Oconaluftee Islands Park with a play ground, trout fishing areas, boardwalks, ample wild life 

a bamboo forest.

Lake Junaluska - Another place and time

May 15th

Junaluska, a Cherokee Chief born around 1775, became a US citizen and granted property after saving the life of Andrew Jackson in 1812.  Perhaps he should have given this act of kindness more thought as in 1838 he was among those relocated to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears.  In 1842 he walked back to North Carolina and remained at his home until his death in 1858.    

Today Junaluska's name is associated with a lake and retreat center.  The center is operated by the United Methodist Church to promote Christian spirituality.  The lake was created in 1912 and named after Mount Junaluska (now Eagle's Nest)  It seems Chief Junaluska, a man who dedicated his life unselfishly to others, should be honored by this center.

Our goal was an interesting area to launch a canoe, Lake Junaluska fit the bill.  

The lake is large enough to canoe and still maintain some interest.  More interesting is the creek that winds along the Junaluska-Waynesville greenway which is teaming with fish and birds.  There are swans nesting,  rails, kingfishers, cardinals, blackbirds, and more.  As my smart phone does not canoe there are no pictures from this colorful segment of the trip, you will need to use your imagination for images here.

Geese on Lake Junaluska

Returning from our adventure along the greenway creek we paddled the lake admiring the mountain scenery and home construction.  The community has expanded over the years thus there are many styles of houses, cabins, and residence halls.  

Yes, this scenic lake and peaceful community are a reasonable tribute to Chief Junaluska.

Elkmont, Tennessee - Logging town to Resort to National Park

May 15th

There is much controversy and contrast in the Smoky Mountain National Park.  The park is lovely having been preserved by those with foresight from the naturalist to the powerful.  As we hike the trails and read the history it becomes clear that the park documents and embodies the eternal struggles of the human race.  

Little River 'boulevard' or strolling path at Elkmont

From the remote trails and rustic cabins to the broad paths and club houses the picture of humanity in the 1880s to 1930s unfolds.

Flowers along the path

Consider Elkmont, today a campground and hiking area on the Tennessee side of the Smoky Mountain National Park which started as a logging town and morphed into a summer playground for those who could afford to escape the summer head in the valleys.  Eventually it became an exclusive playground where only the wealthy residents were welcome.  

Swollen creek at Elkmont - wade the stream

In general the community supported the creation of the park but did not want to abide by the regulation that everyone sell their property to the park service.  Most land owners in the newly designated park sold to the government either because they needed the money to finance a new homestead or they supported the park; however, Elkmont was different.  The residents of Elkmont sold for a reduced rate but leased the property (including clubhouse) for another 60-70 years.  Most leases expired in 1992 with the last lease ending in 2001.  

Trillium

Today many of the homes are in disrepair and slated for destruction.  A limited number of homes may remain in the park.  An interesting documentation of the past and a point to ponder.

Hiking at Elkmont

Mother's Day at the Campground

May 11th

The newest mom

The newest mother at the celebration on Saturday night was Mrs. Robin with her two chicks.  It was fascinating to watch her trips to the nest with worms, insects, and other delights for her brood.

Heather and Bill, 'the owners', enjoy having fun and interesting activities for the guests and staff.   Saturday evening there is usually something to entertain us such as a cook-out, desert, bingo, a parade, or a concert.

Heather and Bill ready to serve desert

For Mother's Day they have built a tradition of ice cream sundaes and a keyboard concert.  The entertainer is Bob Geresti who is quite accomplished with a varied repertoire from classical to folk rock.  Bob truly has 'a song for everyone' with his lovely instrumentals and touching vocals.  I wondered how he would manage a concert in the campground on a rainy evening - very well thank you.  Bob brings a tent, sound equipment, a keyboard, and his wonderful talent.  He is an entertainer from the concert halls to the campground.

Bob Geresti in concert 

Fortunately we are blessed with cheerful guests who are also good bakers. Darryl meets that criteria, he created a yummy cherry/pineapple cobbler in his cast iron dutch oven and then served it with a big smile.   The cobbler was the perfect accompaniment for the sundaes.

Yes, this Mother's Day celebration was enjoyed by all.  What is not to like?  Friendly folks, good music, and wonderful desert.  Stayed tuned for more events at Indian Creek Campground.

Mother's Day celebration was enjoyed by all.

Flowers for Mother's Day

May 12th

The origins of Mother's day probably started with the life on earth as mother's are special and have been honored since early times. 

 Even without the official Mother's Day we would honor our mothers and probably in the spring when the world springs to life through new growth and budding flowers.

To all the caretakers in this world,

Happy Mother's Day 2013

Photos taken at
 Indian Creek Campground
Cherokee, NC

Click for music for Mom
from Heart Strings