Oct 11 - heading home

Starting for home. Here's what we saw on the way out of the Park.  

A whole flock of turkeys having a conference about whatever turkeys talk about!

Going to stop at Buffalo Trace Distillery first. 

Oct 10 - Bledsoe Creek State Park

We decided to drive west in Tennessee to miss the rain from Hurricane Nate but unfortunately that didn't happen. Cloudy skies and rain found us. 

When we pulled into the campsite, here's what we saw. Can you see the deer. They were all over the park. In fact, they treated the park like their home. They weren't afraid of us or the dogs. 

A better pic of the BIG one. 

There are lots of trails and we were able to hike a couple of them in between rain drops. 

Lenny had fun playing in the creek. In fact, he played so long that he started shivering. So dried him off and wrapped him in a blanket. 

We could view the sunset from our camp site. 

Oct 9 - Last day in Jonesborough

As we were getting the camper ready to hookup and leave when we suddenly lost power. We had unhooked the electric but it should have switched from electric to battery ... but it didn't AND we had not put the slide out in yet. So awesome Bill Shuffstall with the help of Terry Countermine, started troubleshooting. 

Yes that's Bill in our storage space under the bed. They found that the switch was bad. So now we are headed to Camping World near Knoxville.

We are now on the road to Bledsoe Creek State Park near Nashville. We decided not to go to North Carolina because of Hurricane Nate. There was supposed to be several days of rain. So we decided to just go west in Tennessee for several days. 

Oct 8 - Church and last Storytelling sessions

We were excited to be able to go to Terry and Sandy's church. We went to the 8:45 service which is their informal service. The choir had a band with a banjo, guitar, bass and mandolin which Terry played. They played several old hyms and people sang along. Then Donald Davis (Storyteller extraordinaire) gave the message. It was spot on for our church and all the transitions we are going through ... "are you getting out of the boat like Peter did or are you staying on the boat where it's comfortable and the same as always?"

Then we listened to more stories and music. We went back to Terry and Sandy's house where they fed lots of people, storytellers and those of us who came to listen. 

They are an amazing couple who love to have lots of friends around them!

Oct 6 - Bill gets Rhythm

Today was filled with more storytelling which gave us so many belly laughs. It's so hard to explain this festival to you. It's so much bigger than I ever imagined. The storytellers come from all over to regal us. Here's just one of the 5 tents that hold over 1,000 listeners. 

Another infamous part of this festival is the Jonesborough Novelty Band. Friends of ours, Terry Countermine and Chip Ward are two of the original members. If you ever visited the Phyrst in downtown State College in the 70s, these two gentlemen would have been there picking and grinning. Love these guys. They have added another ex-officio member, Bill Shuffstall, to play the git fiddle. Never thought he had THIS much rhythm. What fun. 

Next on our list of must hear was Gee's Bend Quilters. Yes, Bill went along with me to hear 4 ladies talk about their life in an African-American community of 400 people and how they earned national acclaim for their quilting. To this day, most of them are still making quilts by hand and using scissors (not rotary cutters). 

Now we are back at Terry and Sandy Countermine's for the PSU vs Northwestern football game. Go PSU. 

After a great win, we headed to the Storytelling Center for the Tarnspinner's Party. More sing-a-long and dance tunes from the Jonesborough Novelty Band with some guest appearances from several storytellers who played music as well. There was also a catered meal with beer and wine. 

Oct 5 - Around Jonesborough,TN

Since the mornings are cool, we decided to take a hike through Jonesborough and up to the Wetlands Park. About 5 miles later we made it back to the camper. 

I don't think I've mentioned that we are camping in Terry and Sandy Countermine's yard. We are one block from downtown. It doesn't get any better than this. 

Sandy's peace garden .. so lovely. 

This is the storytelling Center. The festival has gotten so large that there are now 5 tents for all the events. 

Part of the festival is musuc. Some of you might recognize a couple of the musicians ... Terry Countermine and Chip Ward. 

Waiting to hear the storyteller, Jeanie Robertson tonight ... Terry and Sandy Countermine, Chip Ward and Bill and me.   

Oct 4 - on the road to the Storytelling Festival

We really enjoyed Claytor Lake Stae Park. Well maintained, lots of trails and a beautiful lake. 

Pics from our morning hike before getting on the road. 

Oct 3 - New Camping Trip to TN and NC

This camping trip takes us to the Natonal Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN. We are excited to see friends, Terry and Sandy Countermine who live there. 

Here are photos on the way to the campground we're staying at tonight - Claytor Lake State Park. Beautiful spot. 

Coming over Sky Too this morning. 

Lenny likes to help Bill drive. Reuben is resting because he knows we will make him hike. 

The BluebRidge Mountains. 

Coming into the state park. 

The gorgeous moon watches over us as we sit by the fire.