Well Saturday found us with wet, foggy and dreary conditions outside as we traveled off of the mountain down to Mt. Airy to visit the street fair called Festival of Leaves. This is a three day event which has thousands upon thousands of folks attending and with nearly that many booths, food vendors and entertainments. We use to attend it each year with the Botbyl's when they came for their yearly Fall visit to the mountains. We also wanted to do some shopping and to visit the Old Mill Store where our friends Kaitlyn and Karen worked for a spell. Wow, where they ever right when they mentioned how great the food was and all of the bulk food and unique items within as well as Amish furniture and whatnots. We really enjoyed browsing the store and the sandwich was just fabulous as well and so large that Nancy brought half of hers home for later. Usually I clean up any leftovers but mine was as large as hers and I just managed to finished it.
We visited the super Wal-Mart and made some purchases before heading over to the street fair. Luckily we found a place to park and then walked a mile or so as this town was completely shut down with visitors. It was wall to wall people both in the streets and in the many stores that remained open. We stood in line for nearly 45 minutes to get a bag of kettle Corn to bring back with us as well. Despite us being completely satiated from the sandwich the smell of grilled peppers, onions and sausages permeated the air and brought back memories of the carnivals and fairs we attended over time. There was over an hour wait at the collard green sandwich booth.
We walked the entire length of the town and noticed several exhibits for the Fall festival with Halloween motif where folks could take pictures. Some were very elaborate and well done and was set up strictly for this purpose. Everyone was friendly and mannerly and we even saw a tag team of fellows who were street preaching the Gospel right out of the New Testament. Tattoos and face piercings are also evident here with many showing off their adornments. Some time I wonder if they aren't done just to get attention because I see nothing beautiful in a ring through your cheek, eyebrows and tongue, oh well just my observation. We headed back up the mountain to Galax, Va. where we stopped at the Old Town Market for some buckwheat pancake mix. This is the only store that we know that carries the Cherokee Brand which is the best ever for pancakes and the mixture is so good for you. We gassed up at less than 2 bucks a gallon before heading back to the cabin in N.C.. We could see the parkway was still covered in dense fog so we took a different route and saw plenty of deer eating in the fields.
The morning ride down the parkway was shrouded in heavy fog and at times we were creeping along at minimal speeds. Finally after getting off of the mountain the fog lifted but we never saw the sunshine at all during the day and at time it sprinkled throughout the day. The temps had dropped down into the low 50's which made for a light jacket or sweater and we had the portable heater on when we got back to the cabin. The rain had mostly stopped by them but it was still overcast and chilly so we stayed in the cabin while I watched several football and baseball games until it was time for a hot shower. Wow is all I can say about the water here in the mountains. It's cold and sweet to drink on a hot day and oh so soft on your hair and body with a hot shower before bedtime. It was going on 10'ish so I curled up with a book and it wasn't long until the sandman calleth.
Don't forget today is a day to give thanks and remember our blessings in corporate worship for our Creator. Please remember to lift our nation up for some real leadership in all three branches of the elected government and pray they decide to keep us safe from those who want to destroy our way of life from within and without. We certainly see where this administration is doing it's damnest to lessen our resolve and take away our rights to defend ourselves, LATER
