When I was a younger man, I did a lot of hiking and backpacking. As a Boy Scout, we went often on the Appalachian Trail, something I loved and have talked of the rest of my life (so Far). When Patrick and Caroline were both young, we still got out and did a lot of hiking, but mostly day or afternoon hikes.
I once ached to hike the entire trail. I would still like to do that, but now think more of doing it in small sections and not all at once. Of course, Granny Gatewood first did a through hike of the trail when she was 67 years old. She then through hiked it two more times. Who knows what the future may hold.
For years, I have talked of getting back to my backpacking days. Patrick and I talked of it often when he was a teenager and planned to go together. The thing is when you want to reach a goal, you need to make that goal real and you need to write it down. We did not do that. Recently, I have been talking to Vincent about getting out and hiking and backpacking. Last year, we planned to do more. We did less. This year I have talked to both Vincent and Patrick. Time to write it down and make it real. I have written it in my notebook, I have told, Vincent, Patrick, and Shelley. Now I will put it here for anyone to see. Then I must start planning dates to hike and get them on my calendar. Maybe I will even get Buck (David) to go on some of these. He has gone on a few hikes with me over the years, and others on his own.
I have hiked all of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia except the section between Coopers Gap in Suches and Springer Mountain, the southern Terminus of the trail. I have also hiked about 30 miles in North Carolina. Our goal is to hike all of the AT in Georgia between now and June. We will start with shorter hikes and day hikes, then move to the overnighters. It has been a while and I know I need a new sleeping pad, as I am not as good on hard ground as I once was.
Shelley hiked a lot in the Rockies and has said she would like to hike with us as well. However, I know that she will only make the day hikes in the winter, then only if it is warm enough for her (which is pretty warm). Same thing with Caroline.
Since my stroke this summer, there have been small changes in my ways of doing things. Shelley says that I get something on my mind and forget everything else. I have always tended to do that, but maybe I have gotten a little worse. It is hard for me to tell. Right now, I am thinking of hiking, in case you haven't noticed.
The last 2 weeks, I have increasingly kept up my walking each day. At home, I hike to the top of the subdivision, or past that on toward the top of the mountain behind it. It isn't far, but it is a tough hike. The first part is a gradual uphill climb. About 1/4 mile up, the grade goes to about 30 or 35% and the hard part hits. Near the top it gets back to a more gradual uphill. By the time I make the round trip, I have had a good workout. Lately I have started to wear my daypack to increase my workout. Soon, I will change to my backpack. And I will likely wear my backpack, loaded, when I go on day hikes to prepare for my overnights. The days I work, I have a morning and afternoon break. At those times I take a walk of about 1 to 1.25 miles and do it in approximately 15 minutes. Those are speed days, the others are work days.
This afternoon's walk reminded me of something I don't always think about. Each season in the woods has its own special feel about it. There are certain sounds and smells that come with each time of year. I don't always think of them, but I certainly remember them when I get out in the woods during that time of year. It is a very familiar thing.
The easiest to tell about is the winter. There is a real quietness to the woods when there is a blanket of snow on the ground. and even when it is just snowing. The smell is fresh usually. If it is a warm winter day, there will be smell of mildew and decayed leaves. Early and mid fall has a real dry leaf crunch and swoosh when you walk through. Plus a smell of dust from the falling leaves. Late fall, has a quieter swoosh and the smell of decaying leaves, along with some hint of mildew from leaves that have been wet. Spring and summer has similar sounds, but with different smells depending on what is budding and blooming at the time. The other thing you might pick up is the smell of certain animals that are in the area, esp. skunks or even bears.
For me there are a few places and things I do that refresh my spirit. One of those is performing music, one has been driving, and the one I have done the longest and always works is getting out in the woods. That can be hiking, backpacking, picnicking, canoing or just sitting. I love being outdoors.
I used to canoe a lot also, and hope to get another canoe before this summer. Then we can add those trips to the hiking trips. I'll update here as we make progress. Whatever makes you happy, I hope you are able to do as much as possible.
I walk to lose weight; I walk to keep my sugar level low; and I walk because I like to walk. Maybe I should go walkabout.
See you down the road, or trail.
Nelson H Thomas
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
First of Autumn
From my childhood this time of year has brought on special feelings within me. There is a little melancholy at seeing the summer end, an excitement as I feel the change of season and look forward to a winter with (hopefully) some nice snowy days. There are also feelings of accomplishment as I think of the time of harvest. It is a season of memories also. Memories of the just past summer and summers before. Memories of growing up around a farm, where the hay was put in the barn, hogs were killed on a frosty morning, and we started using heat in the house for the season. I remember the wood burning stove that was in the living room. It was later changed to an oil burning stove, which seemed to be more efficient.
The weather in the fall always makes me feel better. Nice cool and even frosty mornings, warming enough to just wear short sleeves by the afternoon, and then cooling back down in the evenings. The days get shorter, so you come into the house sooner and spend time as a family. Of course, these days, it seems that tv and the computer invade that family time. I have to watch myself with both of these activities, as they tend to draw me in for hours at a time if I am not careful. Then I feel like kicking myself for all the time I have wasted.
It is much better when I pick up my guitar, banjo, or other instrument and do some picking.
While I think the weather is the biggest part of my affinity for the fall, I also think part of it comes from growing up basically on a farm and knowing the satisfaction of the season of harvest, and also for the knowledge of another change of season and looking forward to Thanksgiving (I was born on Thanksgiving) and Christmas. Also, there are the wonderful memories of riding around the mountains to see all the leaf colors with my parents and sisters as we grew up.
I have spent a lot of my life outdoors in some fashion or the other, and what can be better than walking or hiking through the woods as a multitude of different colored leaves cling to the trees and carpet the ground. There is that neat, crisp, sound of newly fallen leaves as you walk through them. That becomes silent after a winter of ice and water softens them down.
Cool and even frosty mornings, followed by afternoons that are warm enough for short sleeves, but not so warm to cause a lot of sweating. So what is not to like about fall. It is also the time you can begin to enjoy sitting by a fire, either outside or a fireplace. It is also a time that causes me to spend time contemplating and remembering. Remembering warm and wonderful memories of things that have happened in my life. A time for contemplating on those things that just feed my soul and give a deep and abiding joy in my life.
I hope you have a great fall, and enjoy it almost as much as I do. Now, to be able to get back outside and enjoy this thing called Autumn.
The weather in the fall always makes me feel better. Nice cool and even frosty mornings, warming enough to just wear short sleeves by the afternoon, and then cooling back down in the evenings. The days get shorter, so you come into the house sooner and spend time as a family. Of course, these days, it seems that tv and the computer invade that family time. I have to watch myself with both of these activities, as they tend to draw me in for hours at a time if I am not careful. Then I feel like kicking myself for all the time I have wasted.
It is much better when I pick up my guitar, banjo, or other instrument and do some picking.
While I think the weather is the biggest part of my affinity for the fall, I also think part of it comes from growing up basically on a farm and knowing the satisfaction of the season of harvest, and also for the knowledge of another change of season and looking forward to Thanksgiving (I was born on Thanksgiving) and Christmas. Also, there are the wonderful memories of riding around the mountains to see all the leaf colors with my parents and sisters as we grew up.
I have spent a lot of my life outdoors in some fashion or the other, and what can be better than walking or hiking through the woods as a multitude of different colored leaves cling to the trees and carpet the ground. There is that neat, crisp, sound of newly fallen leaves as you walk through them. That becomes silent after a winter of ice and water softens them down.
Cool and even frosty mornings, followed by afternoons that are warm enough for short sleeves, but not so warm to cause a lot of sweating. So what is not to like about fall. It is also the time you can begin to enjoy sitting by a fire, either outside or a fireplace. It is also a time that causes me to spend time contemplating and remembering. Remembering warm and wonderful memories of things that have happened in my life. A time for contemplating on those things that just feed my soul and give a deep and abiding joy in my life.
I hope you have a great fall, and enjoy it almost as much as I do. Now, to be able to get back outside and enjoy this thing called Autumn.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
I, Hillbilly
Those who know me at all, know that I often proudly refer to myself as a hillbilly. I will also reference in our shows that we are certified hillbillies, or at least certifiable.
Some may wonder why I do that, when so many people use the term hillbilly as an insult and as a reference to someone who is uncouth, uncultured, and ignorant.
The answer to that is that I know the truth about hillbillies, at least those in the part of the hills I grew up in. I know that these people, called hillbillies, are the hardy descendants of Scot, Irish, and Scot-Irish immigrants who drifted to these remote hills that reminded them of their homeland. They were and are some of the most independent, hard working, hospitable, caring, and inventive people I know of.
This was a remote and fairly sparsely settled part of the world until recently. Here in Union County, there was not a paved road until the 1950's. I grew up in the adjoining county of Fannin until I started high school. I remember when my dad built an indoor bathroom. I remember getting our first telephone when I was in the first grade. The language is very different now that it was when I was growing up also. Radio first and then television have brought the world to us and there is not the strong localized language and sayings that were once so prevalent. I do remember being surprised that there was not an 'r' in warsh (Wash). Though I will say that my immediate family was more traveled and did not speak in the same way as many of the people I went to school with. My dad was in WWII and then traveled with business throughout the US, and would often take us with him. He felt is was important for us to know more about the world and the people beyond the little patch of mountains we lived in. I have tried to pass that attitude along to my children. I love these southern mountains, but believe it is important that we look beyond them sometimes to get perspective. In fact, by the time I started high school, I had been in 23 states, the District of Columbia, Mexico and Canada. So I was shocked in high school to learn I had classmates that had never been out of Union County. They had not even traveled the 10 or less miles from their house to the state line or county line. It was almost inconceivable to me at the time, and still is. There is nothing wrong with that, just that it was hard to understand within the way I was raised. I still love to travel and my children have learned that and are becoming pretty well traveled. In some cases beyond what I have done. My daughter even lived for 3 years in Hong Kong and taught in a school there.
Those who want to put down hillbillies, would be surprised at the number of influential and celebrated people who have come out of this isolated area. There has been state supreme court justices, state school superintendents, a renowned poet, educators, bankers, politicians, and all sorts of businessmen and women. Of course, in my line of interest, there has also been truckloads of musicians that came out of these hills.
So, I continue to proudly proclaim my hillbilly status and roots. We are what we are, so we should accept and celebrate those traits that make us that way.
See you down the road.
Nelson
Some may wonder why I do that, when so many people use the term hillbilly as an insult and as a reference to someone who is uncouth, uncultured, and ignorant.
The answer to that is that I know the truth about hillbillies, at least those in the part of the hills I grew up in. I know that these people, called hillbillies, are the hardy descendants of Scot, Irish, and Scot-Irish immigrants who drifted to these remote hills that reminded them of their homeland. They were and are some of the most independent, hard working, hospitable, caring, and inventive people I know of.
This was a remote and fairly sparsely settled part of the world until recently. Here in Union County, there was not a paved road until the 1950's. I grew up in the adjoining county of Fannin until I started high school. I remember when my dad built an indoor bathroom. I remember getting our first telephone when I was in the first grade. The language is very different now that it was when I was growing up also. Radio first and then television have brought the world to us and there is not the strong localized language and sayings that were once so prevalent. I do remember being surprised that there was not an 'r' in warsh (Wash). Though I will say that my immediate family was more traveled and did not speak in the same way as many of the people I went to school with. My dad was in WWII and then traveled with business throughout the US, and would often take us with him. He felt is was important for us to know more about the world and the people beyond the little patch of mountains we lived in. I have tried to pass that attitude along to my children. I love these southern mountains, but believe it is important that we look beyond them sometimes to get perspective. In fact, by the time I started high school, I had been in 23 states, the District of Columbia, Mexico and Canada. So I was shocked in high school to learn I had classmates that had never been out of Union County. They had not even traveled the 10 or less miles from their house to the state line or county line. It was almost inconceivable to me at the time, and still is. There is nothing wrong with that, just that it was hard to understand within the way I was raised. I still love to travel and my children have learned that and are becoming pretty well traveled. In some cases beyond what I have done. My daughter even lived for 3 years in Hong Kong and taught in a school there.
Those who want to put down hillbillies, would be surprised at the number of influential and celebrated people who have come out of this isolated area. There has been state supreme court justices, state school superintendents, a renowned poet, educators, bankers, politicians, and all sorts of businessmen and women. Of course, in my line of interest, there has also been truckloads of musicians that came out of these hills.
So, I continue to proudly proclaim my hillbilly status and roots. We are what we are, so we should accept and celebrate those traits that make us that way.
See you down the road.
Nelson
Friday, August 7, 2009
I Believe
I received this in a forwarded e-mail and thought it was too good not to share. I really liked several of these and hope you enjoy them.
Nelson
I Believe,
A birth certificate shows that we were born; a death certificate shows that we died; pictures show that we lived!
I believe - That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
I believe - That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I believe - That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I believe - That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I believe - That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I believe - That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I believe - That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I believe - That you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I believe - That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I believe - That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I believe - That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I believe - That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I believe - That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
I believe - That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I believe - That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I believe - That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I believe - That no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I believe - That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I believe - Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I believe - That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I believe - That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.
I believe - That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I believe - That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.
I believe - The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you."
Nelson
I Believe,
A birth certificate shows that we were born; a death certificate shows that we died; pictures show that we lived!
I believe - That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
I believe - That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I believe - That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I believe - That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I believe - That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I believe - That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I believe - That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I believe - That you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I believe - That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I believe - That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I believe - That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I believe - That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I believe - That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
I believe - That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I believe - That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I believe - That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I believe - That no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I believe - That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I believe - Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I believe - That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I believe - That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.
I believe - That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I believe - That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.
I believe - The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you."
Monday, July 13, 2009
Father's Day Surprise
The subject of this post, may sound different than it actually is. The surprise I got had nothing to do with Father's Day, just that it happened on that day.
On the Saturday before Father's Day we drove to my daughter's house in Athens. The plan was to work some in her Attic to prepare for putting some plywood there as a flooring for storage of several boxes of her memorabilia that is currently stored in our basement. Patrick, our oldest, planned to join us and help. The weekend weather was extremely hot and as it happened, the AC went out at her house. With the heat as it was, we decided to avoid the attic completely.
Sunday afternoon, my wife decided that I was acting less normal than usual (later she has said that it started on Saturday). Of the things that she has noted was that I was not doing the things I normally did as we prepared to leave, but also was doing what she told me to without any argument. The gist of it all was that she decided I needed to see a doctor. The choices was the ER in Athens, in Gaines ville, or in Blairsville. She talked with my younger sister, who is an ER nurse in Gainesville and we ended up at the ER in Gaines ville.
They took blood and gave me several types of tests. Then I was taken to have a CT Scan. Surprise to me and to them, the CT showed that I had experienced a stroke. Later I had an MRI, which confirmed that diagnosis and gave more information concerning what had happened. I then spent two nights in the hospital as they continued to check me, give me fluids, and tried to make sure I was continuing to do well.
Later, my sister got a copy of the results of the MRI. It was an eye opener to me and proof that God is watching over me. As the doctor told her, I took a pretty good hit. The good news was that it was the best kind of stroke to have, if you have one at all. The other good news was that it did not affect me at all physically or in my speech or any of the other classic signals of stroke. The bottom line is that it hit in the cognitive areas of my brain.
Last week I went to see a neurologist. He sent me to have a post stroke assessment at the rehabilitation center. I told David that I must be a real musician now that I have been sent to rehab. The assessment went very well and I am going back for another session on Friday afternoon.
There are some things I have learned since this happened. I don't like being sick, I don't like people treating me as if I am sick. I understand my dad's frustration with having everyone you see asking how you are doing. I appreciate knowing they are concerned, but I feel fine and don't notice any difference. It is also very strange to admit that, yes, I had a stroke. That is something you think of happening to older people and something that is very serious and even life threatening. But it happened to me. Yes it is serious and it concerns me. I am now on blood pressure medicine, blood thinner, and cholesterol medicine, even though my cholesterol was in good shape when they checked it. However, the neurologist said that since I have had a stroke they would want my cholesterol to be even lower than they would normally want it to be.
The key now, I guess, is to take care of myself without becoming too pessimistic or scared of what might or might not happen. I want to live while I am living. I hope the next Father's Day surprise I have has more to do with my children and them getting me outdoors for a hike, a canoe trip, a camping trip, or some other activity that I love.
Nelson
On the Saturday before Father's Day we drove to my daughter's house in Athens. The plan was to work some in her Attic to prepare for putting some plywood there as a flooring for storage of several boxes of her memorabilia that is currently stored in our basement. Patrick, our oldest, planned to join us and help. The weekend weather was extremely hot and as it happened, the AC went out at her house. With the heat as it was, we decided to avoid the attic completely.
Sunday afternoon, my wife decided that I was acting less normal than usual (later she has said that it started on Saturday). Of the things that she has noted was that I was not doing the things I normally did as we prepared to leave, but also was doing what she told me to without any argument. The gist of it all was that she decided I needed to see a doctor. The choices was the ER in Athens, in Gaines ville, or in Blairsville. She talked with my younger sister, who is an ER nurse in Gainesville and we ended up at the ER in Gaines ville.
They took blood and gave me several types of tests. Then I was taken to have a CT Scan. Surprise to me and to them, the CT showed that I had experienced a stroke. Later I had an MRI, which confirmed that diagnosis and gave more information concerning what had happened. I then spent two nights in the hospital as they continued to check me, give me fluids, and tried to make sure I was continuing to do well.
Later, my sister got a copy of the results of the MRI. It was an eye opener to me and proof that God is watching over me. As the doctor told her, I took a pretty good hit. The good news was that it was the best kind of stroke to have, if you have one at all. The other good news was that it did not affect me at all physically or in my speech or any of the other classic signals of stroke. The bottom line is that it hit in the cognitive areas of my brain.
Last week I went to see a neurologist. He sent me to have a post stroke assessment at the rehabilitation center. I told David that I must be a real musician now that I have been sent to rehab. The assessment went very well and I am going back for another session on Friday afternoon.
There are some things I have learned since this happened. I don't like being sick, I don't like people treating me as if I am sick. I understand my dad's frustration with having everyone you see asking how you are doing. I appreciate knowing they are concerned, but I feel fine and don't notice any difference. It is also very strange to admit that, yes, I had a stroke. That is something you think of happening to older people and something that is very serious and even life threatening. But it happened to me. Yes it is serious and it concerns me. I am now on blood pressure medicine, blood thinner, and cholesterol medicine, even though my cholesterol was in good shape when they checked it. However, the neurologist said that since I have had a stroke they would want my cholesterol to be even lower than they would normally want it to be.
The key now, I guess, is to take care of myself without becoming too pessimistic or scared of what might or might not happen. I want to live while I am living. I hope the next Father's Day surprise I have has more to do with my children and them getting me outdoors for a hike, a canoe trip, a camping trip, or some other activity that I love.
Nelson
Monday, June 15, 2009
Roots & Music
We had the opportunity to open the Roots & Music Festival in Hiawassee, GA this year. It was nice to be on the Anderson Music Hall Stage and to share the stage with some wonderful acts.
The Festival was held on Friday and Saturday, June 5 & 6th. Our program began at 6:00 pm on Friday. There was a good crowd and we had a nice set. The response to us was great and enjoyble for us. Later we had the opportunity to listed to Irons in the Fire, Dale Ann Bradley, IBMA Female Vocalist of the year for the past two years, and the Seldom Scene, a band that has been around and well known as long as we have been picking , which started in the early 1970's.
Saturday had a great lineup and I am sorry to say I missed it. I started to the festival when my vehicle broke down. It turned out to be a fuel pump that was the problem. There were a few acts that I really wanted to see, including the final act of Dan Tyminski. Hearing from some who were able to attend, I missed a great day of music.
The people putting on the festival were excellent to work with. I appreciate the efforts of everyone, and especially the sound crew. It was wonderful to be a part of this festival and to have the opportunity to perform at Anderson Music Hall.
The Festival was held on Friday and Saturday, June 5 & 6th. Our program began at 6:00 pm on Friday. There was a good crowd and we had a nice set. The response to us was great and enjoyble for us. Later we had the opportunity to listed to Irons in the Fire, Dale Ann Bradley, IBMA Female Vocalist of the year for the past two years, and the Seldom Scene, a band that has been around and well known as long as we have been picking , which started in the early 1970's.
Saturday had a great lineup and I am sorry to say I missed it. I started to the festival when my vehicle broke down. It turned out to be a fuel pump that was the problem. There were a few acts that I really wanted to see, including the final act of Dan Tyminski. Hearing from some who were able to attend, I missed a great day of music.
The people putting on the festival were excellent to work with. I appreciate the efforts of everyone, and especially the sound crew. It was wonderful to be a part of this festival and to have the opportunity to perform at Anderson Music Hall.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Weekend Concert 2009
We hope everyone enjoyed their Memorial Weekend and are having a good Memorial Day. I also hope you take few minutes to reflect on the true meaning of the day.
Saturday night we had the privilege of kicking off the summer concert season at Unicoi State Park in Helen. We have played many times at Unicoi and it is always a pleasure to play there. Jessica, Smith, Ellen and all the others are always helpful and friendly. They promote the shows and have not only the guests of the park attending, but residents of the surrounding area as well.
Over the years we have played just about everywhere they have had music at Unicoi. In the campground area, we have played on the old back deck of the trading post, in the room in the back of the Trading Post, at the amphitheater, on the porch of the log cabin, and even on the old kiosk that has now been removed. We have played for several groups at the beach house and even a couple down at the meadow near the staff housing. The lodge has become one of the best places of all. While we have had the chance to play in most of the meeting rooms and some of the lobby areas, Master's Hall seems to be the best area to get everyone in (though A,B,C of the Logo Lobby is pretty good as well).
This weekend's concert was held in Master's Hall 1 & 2. We had a crowd of over 200. It was good to see the numbers up again. Hopefully they will have good crowds all summer. If you get a chance, go see some of their acts. We will be back again before the end of the summer as well.
See you down the road.
Nelson
Saturday night we had the privilege of kicking off the summer concert season at Unicoi State Park in Helen. We have played many times at Unicoi and it is always a pleasure to play there. Jessica, Smith, Ellen and all the others are always helpful and friendly. They promote the shows and have not only the guests of the park attending, but residents of the surrounding area as well.
Over the years we have played just about everywhere they have had music at Unicoi. In the campground area, we have played on the old back deck of the trading post, in the room in the back of the Trading Post, at the amphitheater, on the porch of the log cabin, and even on the old kiosk that has now been removed. We have played for several groups at the beach house and even a couple down at the meadow near the staff housing. The lodge has become one of the best places of all. While we have had the chance to play in most of the meeting rooms and some of the lobby areas, Master's Hall seems to be the best area to get everyone in (though A,B,C of the Logo Lobby is pretty good as well).
This weekend's concert was held in Master's Hall 1 & 2. We had a crowd of over 200. It was good to see the numbers up again. Hopefully they will have good crowds all summer. If you get a chance, go see some of their acts. We will be back again before the end of the summer as well.
See you down the road.
Nelson
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