I had planned the family camping trip this summer to coincide with the annual "azalea swarm" on Gregory Bald, so that Black Betty could accompany me on the hike. She had never been and was worried somewhat about the 11 mile hike, but I kept reassuring her that it was well worth it.
Cades Cove.
Of course, the lead up to the hike was a beautiful jaunt to the back side of Cade's Cove to the trail head. The Cove was just waking up, in its magical way, sun greeting earth, and the animals were out in force. We saw many deer and turkey on our way out and also spotted a bear finding breakfast in the weeds on Forge Creek road.
Trail head.
Black Betty crossing Forge Creek.
Rosebay Rhododendron
The trail ambles pretty gently for the first 2 miles, through stands of rosebay rhododendrons, giant old-growth hemlocks, and mighty tulip poplars. It stays right alongside of pretty Forge Creek, crossing back and forth a few times on foot logs. After the easy 2 mile introduction to the trail, we arrived at back country campsite 12, where the climb really begins. From here, the trail makes a 2400' elevation gain (in 3 miles) up Gregory Ridge to reach Rich Gap. It works out to about 800 feet per mile, a pretty steady climb. We took our time, rested frequently, and joked with the hikers that we met along the way.
At Rich Gap, we joined the Gregory Bald Trail for a quick and easy 6/10 of a mile jaunt to the top.
So really, all this fuss is about a beautiful 10 acre, open, grassy bald sitting on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It is covered in a world famous stand of wild native azaleas, which were in prime bloom while we were there on June 19th. The fragrant display was in various shades of bright reds, oranges, creams, yellows, whites, and pinks. It is pure nature in all of its beauty, and no, you can't drive a car up there. You have to put the effort in to see it and reap the reward.
Black Betty was impressed, to say the least.
I decided to make another fan video. This is Vassar Clements, Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, John Kahn, and Peter Rowan recorded in 1973. According to the album notes, Jerry sings lead on this, and on the choruses Peter sings tenor above him and Vassar adds a high baritone part above that, in a style often associated with the Stanley Brothers. All in all, it's five stellar musicians working together perfectly, laying down some sweet bluegrass. I hope you enjoy it!
Last night, the Gnometown gang caught the first night of the three night Railroad Earth's New Year's Eve run at the Orange Peel. It was a great time spent with friends and family, listening to one of our favorite bands. As a bonus, we got to hear the first live playing of the title track of Railroad Earth's upcoming album, The Last Of The Outlaws.
Here's the set list:
Set 1: Like a Buddha 420 Peace on Earth Been Down This Road Came Up Smilin' Right in Tune Where Songs Begin Carrying Coal to Newcastle --> Chasin' a Rainbow
Set 2: Mission Man Long Way To Go Drag Him Down Colorado For Love The Last of the Outlaws (A) Mourning Flies --> Lone Croft Farewell Crossing the Gap Gold Rush Elko
Encore: Water Fountain Quicksand
(A) First time played. Written by Todd Sheaffer and Carey Harmon
While looking back and reviewing all my YouTube videos and blog posts from this past year, I am beginning to realize that 2013 emerged as a pretty terrific year of live music for the Hometown gang. Black Betty and I were joined by family and friends to boogie to some of the best music ever, played by many of the most talented artists in the world. As I have said before, "There were so many incredible shows, so much inspiring music!" Here is a list of many of the incredible bands that we were fortunate enough to see in 2013:
Donna The Buffalo, Railroad Earth, Cooking With Quanta, Town Mountain, Greensky Bluegrass, Danny Barnes, Willie Nelson, Apple Butter Express, Peter Rowan, Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, The Traveling McCourys, John Prine, The Duhks, Jeff Sipe Trio, The Freight Hoppers, The Horse Flies, The Deadly Gentlemen, Solas, Tornado Rider, Col. Bruce Hampton, Ralph Roddenbery, Bibb City Ramblers, Keller and The Keels, Keller and Traveling McCourys, Taylor Martin Acoustic Band, Mavis Staples, The Corbitt Brothers, Jim Lauderdale, The Brothers Comatose, Stephen Marley, Drive By Truckers, Todd Sheaffer, Rayna Gellert, Strung Like A Horse, Grandpa's Cough Medicine, Darol Anger, Elephant Revival, Kris Kristofferson, Lizzy Ross Band, The Hackensaw Boys, Bobby Miller, Heavy Pets, Mamajowali, Apple Chill Cloggers, David Via and Curtis Burch, Scythian, The Stacks, Vagabond Swing, Leftovers Salmon, Jerry Douglas, Dread Clampitt, Yonder Mountain String Band.
On Friday, December 20th, the Isis Music Hall in West Asheville hosted the Manna Food Bank Bluegrass Benefit. The benefit featured our favorite Asheville bluegrass band, the hard driving Town Mountain, and the flat picking guitar maestro, Larry Keel, and his equally talented band, Natural Bridge.
It proved to be a fun and rowdy night of world class bluegrass tunes performed in front of a music loving crowd in Asheville. The Isis Music Hall is emerging as a premier small venue at which to see some of the best bands breezing through town. If you haven't been there yet, you need to check it out.
It was a great way for the local community of music lovers, artists, and businesses to take time to help the hungry in western North Carolina. We even got to hear Larry Keel and Robert Greer sing some Christmas tunes.
According to publicist Erin Scholze of Dreamspider, $1000. was raised for Manna Food Bank.
To read more about Manna Food Bank, Town Mountain, and Larry Keel: Dreamspider Article.
Based out of Franklin, North Carolina, I am available to shuttle hikers to various trail heads on the Appalachian Trail, Bartram Trail, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and anywhere else that you may want to go in the southern Appalachian area. I also can provide rides to and from the Asheville Airport and other locations upon arrangement. I can be reached by email, text, or phone call. Contact numbers are available under my profile on this blog.
Posts
