Crossnore and Spruce Pine

Good Morning my Coffee Friends!!  Seems like I have abandoned you but no I have not.  I think of you often, always with a smile and best wishes being sent your way.

We are back from our five week excursion in our new/used motorhome.  We had a wonderful time and I will try to post some more photos and thoughts on the trip as time goes by.

However, for now I will just wander around in my thoughts.  Yesterday was so beautiful in Boone.  It was sunny around 50 degrees, perfect for getting the car out and going for a drive somewhere.  As you know most of the time we go with no agenda and let the day happen and yesterday was no different.  Our first stop was in Crossnore at the school. http://www.crossnoreschool.org/   Although we have lived here forever, this was the first time we had ever visited Crossnore. What a sweet spirit this community has - I guess it is a reflection of the good things that happen with this school.  We visited the Weaving Room and bought two placemats that had been hand made in America at the school.  They have so many beautiful scarves, placemats, napkins, shawls, and many other things they have made.  The money goes to support the school.  Upstairs in this building they have an art gallery where local artist who want to support the school can sell their works.  What beautiful art!!  There was one landscape that was to large for any wall in our house that you could just get lost in.  It was a fisherman on the river almost lost in fog but so peaceful - the same sweet spirit as the community.  It was only priced at $12000.   They also have a second hand store sort of like a Goodwill store that the proceeds from help support the school.  They have nice clothes as many of the resort communites in the area help support the school and drop off their used goods to be sold at the store.  There is a coffee shop that the students work at to make money and learn business skills.  It was great chatting with the young man working there.  Also, the chapel has a fresco by Ben Long.  I did not know they had a fresco there.  It is of Jesus surrounded by the children - so appropriate for this location. There is a little meditation garden that I bet is just beautiful when it is lush with greenery.  If you are out driving around I hope your vehicle takes you to visit Crossnore School.

From Crossnore we drove on over to Spruce Pine to check out the Toe River that runs right through the middle of their town.  They have a lovely little community park on the river - perfect for trout fishing as this is a stocked trout stream that features delayed harvest rules.  We decided that we must return for another visit in our back yard and check out the Penland Art Center and the town of Bakersville.  It is amazing what is in our backyards.

Today, I think we are going to just hang out on our beautiful little Harmony Mountain and prepare for tomorrow's potential snow.  My birds are telling me their feeders need to be topped off so they will have plenty to eat during the snow.  The sun is out although there are a few clouds meandering in the back ground.

You all have a wonderful day!!!