FIFTEEN MINUTES TO

Good Appalachian evening everyone !!



Dudley is cooking dinner and I thought I would give you a quick rundown on the day's events. Not that they were all that exciting, but here goes.



This morning, after a restless night's sleep for whatever reasons.?.I got up at 6:45am and enjoyed what I suspected to be one of the last few warmer mornings. It is wonderful to greet the day outside on the deck and hope to spy a wild night straggler that has not quite made it into the cover for day. I will miss the soft light, breeze and smells that is a mountain summer morning. The winter will be here soon enough.



The drive to Little Milligan School is 15 minutes. it is along the prettiest part of 321 towards Watagua Lake. It wouldn't take that long except that the road winds and curves so much you had better have your breakfast completely digested, or you are in for a surprise. The route takes you by a huge mountain face of solid rock that was cut away to make the road in the 50's. After years of DOT shoring it up, pinning. and netting, it still cascades rocks down onto the road, that's what happens when you try to fool with Mother Nature.. 321 was actually closed a few years ago because of rock slides in this area



Then, the route slopes and winds down to the Elk River, where our closest convenience store is located. There you will find a gas station and a locally owned diner. The diner is called the Elk Mills Diner and is famous for their good and cheap food. The surroundings give you pause when you enter, but at least the cement block walls are now painted and there is a curtain on the window, courtesy of Dudley's mother Shirley. When the diner's owners decided to 'redecorate' 10 years ago, she presented them with the only kind of curtain she knew how to make. After about 6 years, they washed it and put it back up, So there it is still. Every time we would come to the Farm during the last 25 years, Mom and Dad Carter would take us to the Elk Mill Diner. It was a great treat,..no one had to dress up, wash their hair, wear make-up or have manners, and ball caps were required. It is still a great memory but one that is not often revisited, because of the nature of the food, Don't get me wrong, it is sanitary, but not too healthy to say the least and our tastes have gravitated to more Bistro.



After I pass the infamous Elk Mill Diner on 321, which by the way should be a 'must do' on your list when you are in the area, I continue my easy downward slope to the Watauga Lake. The Watauga Lake was made in the 1940's by the TVA to stop the area from uncontrollable flooding and to supply much needed electric to the surrounding area. The whole town of Butler TN was moved to it's present day location so that the Dam could be built. The Lake, which is really a Reservoir, stretches hundred's of miles and has many marinas and recreational and camping spots. Around the lake I travel, always noting the level of the water, because in years past the water has been very low, showing the solid rock sides of the previously unexposed mountain. But today, and lately, the water level is high and everyone is happy, The marinas are happy and the campgrounds are happy and the fishermen are happy.



Then, as I reach the low point on my decent from the Farm, the far away mountains come into view. God, at His finest, uncluttered, unspoiled, uncomplicated. It is a early morning reminder of why I love where I live. It is the spiritual side of this area, the connection with the Earth, unchanging, unyielding, everlasting. I smile , and remember as to where I come . But as a direct contrast...I see.. Kudzu. A vegetation brought into the area by meaningful biologists to control erosion, has covered the natural landscape , producing monster like silhouettes on the local trees and mountain faces. This unnatural and imported vine growth has changed the landscape forever. It will eventually destroy the very essence of the beauty that is Appalachia.



The school signs signal my goal. I slow. I re-adjust, I come down to Earth. I am Teacher.







After a wondrous, breathtaking drive to Little Milligan School, I am greeted by loving children who exclaim,, 'we missed you Ms Carter,, we Love you Ms Carter,',,, Can life be better ? Why am I here?









School is out. I come back the winding road to my Farm. I slow, I re-adjust, I come down to Earth. I am ....






LOVE TO ALL..Sandi