Tonelli's Travels

Set on the North Carolina/South Carolina border, my next stop was Hidden Springs Farm in Rutherfordton, NC, native land of the Tsalaguwetiyi, or Eastern Cherokee. These sprawling acres below to my cousins, The Garretts, and bring back fond memories of childhood family vacations. The scenery was beautiful, the weather perfect, animal snuggles welcome, and the hugs from Jeanne and Terry the best! I came for two nights and stayed for three, the company was that good.

From their back porch, you overlook the recently cleared acreage that connects to the farms down the street and around the corner. Rolling hills lead down to a stream, and then back up to the chicken barns and pastures that their son, Greg, now owns and manages. It is an oasis in rural North Carolina, quiet and peaceful.

My first night we enjoyed dinner together, chicken and sweet potatoes, mmmm mmmmm, and then drove over to the farm to visit Adah (their oldest) and her husband Jeremy and their bunch. With six girls and a female cat, Jeremy certainly is outnumbered! The oldest were friendly and chatty while the youngest were hesitant but curious. They were most intrigued by this talk of a “camper van” and I invited them over the next day to explore.

That night was an early one, after a long day of hiking and travel, but not before evening chats over Carolina Red Muscadine Wine at the homestead. If you’ve never tried it, go find yourself a bottle. It’s sweet and smooth, perfect for an evening treat. Maxine (the cat) and Blackie (the dog) tucked me into bed and kept me company as I drifted off to sleep.

The next day brought visits from Greg for tours of Sunny the Solis, lunchtime chats, walks across the river, watering the goats, donkeys, and cows, all before mid-afternoon. Adah and the girls came over after school, eager to investigate this strange thing called a camper van. While tentative at first, once I popped the top to reveal the hidden bed, curiosity took over and up and down the ladder the girls climbed. Back and forth to the big bed in the back, checking out the stuffed animals and cabinets. In and out of the camper they went. It was like a giant jungle gym to them, and a workout for myself and the older girls who lifted them down from the pop-up. It was heart-warming to see them so excited, so adventurous, so curious. Even one of the twins, who I’m told is very stand-offish, let me lift her up. Win!

Before they left, I had to show them videos of the guinea pigs. While Timmy, Tommy, and Chester can’t be with me (they are with my parents), I still tell stories of them all the time! Chester was a fan favorite with his bedhead. And it seems my love of guinea pigs and pigs (of which I have many around the van), rubbed off on E. The next day she bought two little piggie stuffed animals for her sisters’ upcoming birthday. I felt honored.

Jeanne and I capped off the day with some soccer watching while Greg coached and one of his son’s practiced. While a bit windy, the sun stuck around long enough for us to see some developing defensive skills and corner kicks. Watching soccer always makes me want to jump on the field, so who knows, maybe a return to the game is in my future! I helped Greg confirm the rules of offside (always a tricky one!) before Jeanne and I snuck out meet Greg’s other children, and then to get ice cream at Brusters. If you are ever near one, definitely stop. The Peanut Butter with Reeses Cups did not disappoint!

While I had planned to leave the next day, I was having too much fun to hit the road. Instead, Jeanne and I ventured to Spindale to walk the newly paved rail trail. Perfect spring weather, I was glad to be in North Carolina and not New England where snow was covering the ground. Sorry northern friends! I do hope it is all melted now. The walk was refreshing and I counted the Baptist churches we passed in just a few miles. This is definitely the Bible Belt! Methodist churches and Evangelical churches are abundant too, all often lovely brick buildings with large white pillars.

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Back at the car, lunch was calling our name and we headed to Mi Pueblito for tasty fajitas on the patio. After the chicken, veggies, and chips with queso dip, we were full and content. A car ride down the rural roads, completing a few errands on the way, landed us back at the house.

While not hungry, we decided to make almond pancakes from Adah’s recipe. The first patch was an experiment – a little too thick and slightly burnt on one side, but still tasty. The next batch lighter in color but still not liquidy enough. The final patch perfect, with a few walnuts mixed into jazz them up.

Then we hurried over to the farm to pick up the oldest girls so they could join their cousin to prepare for the Magnolia Ball. Two teenagers, a puppy, and two adults in a sedan makes for an interesting ride! The girls managed Joey in the back while I balanced the trays of carefully prepared cheesecake cups in the front. Everyone and everything made it successfully, thank goodness!

They girls all looked lovely in their dresses and Jeanne and I stayed long enough to snap a few pictures before heading home to rest. Gosh, were we tired! An evening of TV, salads, and early bed times sounded perfect. KC kept me company they night, a warm snuggler behind my back.

Sadly the next morning I had to depart, more miles to drive on my way to Big Bend. We filled the water tank, washed off the bugs, exchanged hugs, and said goodbyes. I will definitely be back!

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