Fibermania

What a great trip!

That must be Mars Hill. The highways are full of blooming poppies and daisies and just so lush. I was such a lucky gal to have been able to drive around the area and get the feel of the place.

I loved this sign. Can you imagine what a name like French Broad Institute would be like in the hands of today's students?

We all stayed in dorms for this symposium, and not thinking ahead I was not a happy camper sleeping on this slick mattress. No fitted sheet and freezing cold airconditioning made my first night hellish. So at lunch the next day I went looking for a store that sold sheets. Luckily I had a rental car, and while Mars Hill has a few stores, not one was a department store. The next town, Weaverville was only seven miles away and I had time to run down there to see what I could find. Not a store was found but a yard sale appeared, with old quilts draped on the bushes. I parked my car and got out to find a bed in a bag was for sale.

Fitted sheet, two pillowcases, top sheet and a matching comforter. All this for $7! I have my own pillow pictured here, and propped on it are a pair of sox for my frozen feet and a sleep mask to keep out the light. I was instantly in heaven.

Usually I have lots to complain about when I travel and try to keep it to a minimum on the blog, but despite having missed my original flight and being moved to a later delayed delayed delayed flight, I was happy to arrive late afternoon in Knoxville, pick up my PT Cruiser rental and drive to Mars Hill NC.

The 2.5 hour drive was through the Cherokee National Forest along the French Broad River and was just spectacular scenery. Twisting turns and all. I didn't get lost and made great time, just missing the "Meet the Teachers" thingy in which I would have had to explain numerous times why I don't have a book to sign.

I LOVED NORTH CAROLINA.

I am so lucky to have made friends with several gals in class, who all had advice that was so helpful about where we should move. Asheville NC, Yancy County NC, Athens GA and Aiken SC!

Here's a slide show of the wonderful flowers I shot on campus.