Vacation day April 17th – Wednesday. We really packed a lot into this day! We left Asheville and all dreams of Biltmore behind. But not before stopping back at the Gatehouse gift shop at the entrance to Biltmore. Kathy and I wondered around in there and bought a few items – for me it was basically a coffee table book about Biltmore. It’s a great, practical way to remember our time there with beautiful pictures and descriptions. The world knows I’m not much of a photographer!
Leaving there our original intent was to jump on the Blue Ridge Parkway and take the scenic route. For some reason we thought we could get on at Black Mountain. When we got there we didn’t see any access so we kept driving and ended up in Montreat – a mountain retreat center and college campus. It was one of those places that there is one way in and the same way out! No Thru Way!
We drove around in circles for a while, and finally got directions from a very scary looking (but helpful and nice) man with a huge machete type knife. Yikes! We found the way back out and on the right route to Hudson, North Carolina. In this small mountain town there is an old elementary school that has been turned into a community center, including the Mitford Museum. The museum is all about Jan’s personal life, Father Tim (main character of the books) and Mitford, the fictional town set in – you guessed in! – the mountains of North Carolina!
Jan Karon created Mitford and the plethora of characters that made up Father Tim’s neighbors and parishioners in her Mitford book series. Paul bought the first book – At Home in Mitford – even before it was released for public sale, as he worked for David C. Cook, the publisher who optioned the book initially. Kathy read it and then lent it to me to read. We were both hooked for life.
The museum included a gift shop with everything Mitford – with quotes and pictures and puzzles and soaps and mugs and ornaments and books and you NAME it! It had been years since I had read the series through – there are fourteen books in the series, with several more companion and children’s books. Just standing there took me back to ‘Mitford’ and all the unique characters and personalities. I have since started to re-read the series and am almost done with the first book.
Jan Karon was a great inspiration to me when I attempted to write my books. She had started writing and was published about the age I started seriously writing, years later. Thanks in part to her I kept at it, and eventually Letters to Mary was published. So I took a copy of the book down and left it at the museum for her. The staff said she is still very hands on, even at age 84!
Kelly tries to make tee-shirts for Kathy and I for our vacations, and this year she made Mitford shirts. When we walked into the museum the staff was very excited! They took our picture and sent it to Jan! How fun was that!
It was quite an experience to see all the personal items and stories about her young life, and about the years following. The second room was all about Mitford, with pictures and quotes and artifacts that inspired the story. She even had the original creche that she bought (with several pieces in poor condition) that needed refurbished. Her daughter Candace suggested that they be part of the story (Shepherds Abiding) and that Father Tim could restore them for Cynthia’s Christmas gift! Which she did.
In This Mountain and A New Song
These High Green Hills, Light from Heaven, A Light in the Window,
A Common Life, At Home in Mitford, Out to Canaan
Even her typewriter was there. She was very generous with her possessions to be put on display. That’s her WHOLE LIFE! I loved that little sojourn into the fictional town of Mitford North Carolina! I could go on and on — in fact I just did!
I’ll recap the afternoon’s adventures tomorrow. A lot still to go!
My blessing for today was getting groceries (finally), pulling weeds, and being cozy and snuggled in my lovely home!
PEANUTS Thought for the Day:
TOMRROW April 26th is:
National Historic Marker Day; National Dissertation Day; National Audubon Day; National Hairball Awareness Day; National Coaster Day; Alien Day; Confederate Hero’s Day; Get Organized Day; Hug an Australian Day; National Ai Day; National Arbor Day; National Garage Day; National Help a Horse Day; National Pretzel Day; Remember Your First Kiss Day; Secretary’s Day.
Yesterday’s fake day was National Stay up Late Day. Today- I love historic markers, Confederate (and Union) heroes, and I’m always organized. As for hugging an Australian, bring on Keith Urban! I swept my garage today. I don’t personally know any horses, I love pretzels, too. Have a great weekend and God Bless…
That’s so awesome that you got to go to Millford!
I loved seeing Biltmore, but being in Mitford was great. It was like going home! Well worth the stop, especially so close to Mt. Airy (Mayberry) so it was a 2 fer 1 — as J C Hogan of the Mitford Muse would say!.