#384 Restaurant in the Round

We've not yet visited the "Southern Palace and Hardtail Saloon" in Oriental, North Carolina, but after reading Heat-Moon's account, seeing this photo, and working for Butler Mfg for about 20 years, I want to go to there.

Photo credit: Michele Connors

Yours in grain bin appreciation,
Kelly

#377 Triangle Modernist Homes Tour

When I told folks in Charlottesville we toured several mid-century modern homes in Raleigh, I was asked "Which century?" The answer is 20th. Two homes we visited were modeled after Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian style, one of my favorites.

Other homes were newer, bigger, and more butterfly-like...

...with beautiful gardens...

...and lots of glass.

Did I mention I like the Usonians?

Thanks to Joyce, our Kansas City friend, and to Erin, our Raleigh friend, for joining in the fun on a gorgeous spring day in North Carolina!

Yours in architectural appreciation,
Kelly

#345 Great Big Sea

I've loved the music of Great Big Sea ever since I visited Newfoundland and long before I sailed across the great big sea. So when the Canadian celtic-rock band came close to home, we planned a road trip to the other city named for Queen Charlotte (Charlotte, North Carolina.)

Driving past the Dana Auditorium about 4 hours before showtime, we spotted Alan (the lead singer) standing outside the Great Big Sea bus. (He must have thought he'd be safe from the likes of me at this hour - but not so.) Coolly, I rolled down my window and yelled, "Hey Alan! We're looking forward to the concert tonight." Even more coolly, he replied, "Yeah. Me too. Thanks!"

As Kelly predicted, they opened with Donkey Riding - his favorite. Then they sang a lot of our old traditional Newfoundland favorites mixed with the new ones.

We especially liked Captain Wedderburn, Consequence Free, General Taylor, Helmethead, Jack Hinks, The Night Patty Murphy Died, and River Driver. Two hours later (with nary any sitting), the band closed with the rousing, audience sing-along The Old Black Rum and the a capella version of Old Brown's Daughter. Sweet. Many thanks to Liz for introducing me to Alan and the boys.

Yours in appreciation of the aligning musical planets which bring me Elton and Great Big Sea on two consecutive weekends,
Mary

#275 Found our way to Asheville

With the help of a whole dashboard full of GPS devices, we made our way from C-ville to A-ville this weekend. Those old-fashioned paper maps just aren't enough for us anymore.

This is all you really need to know... No matter what route you take, the drive to Asheville is gorgeous.

And at the other end of the drive, we found our Indy friends Sam and Shannon.

Then without any maps at all, we were lucky enough to find the picturesque Mabry Mill along the Blue Ridge Parkway on our way home.

Yours in navigating our way to good friends,
Mary