Well, this trip is supposed to be about new adventures and meeting new people so why not? We had no idea where Jonesborough was but we worked it into our travels and we're glad we did.
We left Athens early Wednesday morning (May 14) and rode north through amazing countryside eventually winding our way through the Moonshine Highway and the Tail of the Dragon. Weather was gorgeous and it was a perfect day.
Jonesborough was a fabulous surprise! The downtown was quaint and charming and we immediately fell in love with the town.
Our first stop was gas and the second...yes, we found a brewery! We filled up our growler at a super-small craft brewery called The Depot.
The country side was gorgeous, and we were excited to meet Lori and Stan. Our connection was immediate and the conversation just flowed. Lori and Stan had planned the perfect evening... a fire in the backyard and a hot dog roast. Randy was in heaven! Great conversation, a roaring fire and fireflies made for a remarkable evening.
Jonesborough is the home of the International Story Telling Festival and we learned that the Olmstead's moved from Utah to Jonesborough so that Lori could hone her craft. Yes, Lori is a storyteller and started the Vernal, Utah Storytelling Festival. Wow!
We went to the International Storytelling Center and had the good fortune to hear storyteller, Sheila Arnold. Sheila told us a moving story about Betsy Cosner, a recently freed slave looking for her son Peter. Sheila told the story in historical garb, and she was so convincing that we were all lost in her story.
She put the story together from real stories from slaves beginning from birth in the slave auction house in Alexandria to her present day as a freed slave working as a housekeeper. The story was exquisitely told, with details about her life that moved us to tears. At the wrap up she brought up that slavery is alive in our world and said that we have to tell stories about the past, in order to remember the 200 Nigerian girls who were kidnapped and others that are currently enslaved.
After hearing the story of Betsy Cosner, it's hard to believe that slavery happened in our country and that it's still happening today. If you don't know about the Nigerian girls, just google #bringbackourgirls
Although storytelling is very popular in Utah we had never been to one but now we are hooked and can't wait to visit the Timpanogos Storytelling event in the fall.
Dinner was at a fun pub called Cootie Browns and then we headed off to the Willow Tree Coffeehouse for some great local music. Wow! Fabulous evening rocking out to two local bands. The first was Random Tangent and this was their very first public performance. The second, was a cover band that reminded us of Devo - they opened with two Pink Floyd songs and towards the end of the set sang a Brooks & Dunn song!
King Super and the Excellents was a good time and they had unusual costumes and incredible stage presence. A good time was had by all but I think Stan had the most fun!
I have to give honorable mention to the Olmstead's cats, Bella and Percy. They were special kitties and took to us quickly. Bella liked to sleep in the crook of Randy's arm and at night, desperate to get out to stalk the critters.
Jonesborough was extraordinary, but what made our stop special is that we arrived in Jonesborough as Denver's friends and left as friends of Lori and Stan. Till we meet again!
The last time that a cat slept on Randy was when it gave birth to its kittens while he slept.
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