Snowbird Backcountry Area, Nantahala National Forest

Ah Memorial Day, typically spent this holiday out on the lakes around Charlotte back when we lived in NC, but this year decided to take it to the woods.  Our friends Cortney and Chris picked the spot - we would have gone anywhere given the forecast for the weekend.  No chance of rain, sunny and mid 70's.  Now that's my kind of day.

We arrived in Robbinsville, NC and met up at the Hungry Bear.  Robbinsville is approximately 2 miles of road with gas stations, restaurants and super market.  After I blew by the Hungry Bear by accident I realized it could not be located using a GPS.  I stopped at a local gas station and to my astonishment, the natives had no idea what I was talking about.  How do you miss one of the maybe 7 restaurants in your own town?  Bizarre.

The drive in to the trail head is mostly paved, with one long stretch of gravel road that passes multiple creek side car-camping sites.  It's a beautiful drive to get there, and I rolled down the windows for the boxers to stick their heads out and enjoy the breeze.

We began our hike here, selecting the path on the left (there are two at the trailhead):

Here are our friends Chris and Cortney and a shot of Aaron and myself...

Along the trail...

Then we came to the creepy abandoned van and almost decided to camp there.  Fortunately Chris made it across the stream and informed us that an even more perfect site was situated just beyond where we had stopped.  We crossed the creek to get there.

I believe it was the most grotesque affront to "leave no trace" I've seen when we got to the site.  Someone had literally fashioned a table into the tree for cook prep and there were foils and wrappers scattered about. We did our best to pick up the debris we found, and made sure not to leave any of our own.  It does beg the question: how much of other's people's trash should you pick up?  We tried to get it all, but I resented that this was now our problem, and not the jerks who left it a mess in the first place.

Definitely enjoyed some good food and a nice camp fire.  The hand held chain saw in particular came in handy as we gathered downed logs and trees from the area.

Night 1 was cold.  Too cold to attempt the ENO hammock tent type contraption I had procured, thought we gave this a shot on day 2.

Day 2 we struck out on the trail to find a good fishing spot.  I am continually told that we can find great fish using fly rods.  I am continually disappointed when we catch no fish.  Obviously my fly fishing abilities leave something to be desired.  Here is the neat bridge we found:

Night 2 the doggies were exhausted.  This was the most exercise they had enjoyed in a while.

When we woke on Day 3, the skies were overcast and we determined it would be best to head out and back home to Nashville, to enjoy a day of Arrested Development and grilling at home before returning to work.  All in all, a great trek, great spot for camping right near the water, and a chance to catch up with old friends.

Bluegrass Underground

I heard about it from a friend at work.  "Hey did you hear about Bluegrass Underground?" he said.  "No" I replied.  "It's awesome, its this cave where they have bluegrass shows and its awesome because the acoustics are amazing and they always get top talent."

Google help me, I was online that very moment to research.  What was this magical place I wondered, and how could I procure tickets to see it?  Would it be far away?

Bluegrass Underground is a special concert series hosted in McMinnville TN's Cumberland Caverns.  In these massive caverns, which were once mined for minerals used in gunpowder, a giant room titled "The Volcano Room" can seat up to 500 people over 300 feet underground.  Acts play on selected Saturdays and tickets can be purchased online.  They first started the Bluegrass Underground series in 2008, and since then PBS radio and now PBS television will broadcast selected shows from the illustrious cavern.  You can read more about it here:

http://www.bluegrassunderground.com/

And here's a good pic:

It was a rainy Saturday this morning when we packed up and drove 90 minutes to McMinnville from Nashville, passing through Manchester en route.  When we arrived, we entered an old souvenir shop filled with various crystals and shiny stones, t shirts and magnets.  Here you can purchase a 10 dollar bag of dirt, then step outside to their customized washing station and drop your dirt into a small mesh tray.  Here is how that went...(sorry, for whatever reason can't get these videos to imbed here today!)

http://youtu.be/UMp2354fI40

As show time approached, we were told to walk through the woods to the cave entrance.  There, a guide is required by their insurance company to walk each group through the cavern and into The Volcano Room.  Along the way there are underground waterfalls and pools, stalactites and stalagmites, all lit in a ghostly pale yellow or blue or red.  Then, at the end of a long tunnel, you begin descending into The Volcano Room.  Somehow, someway, they have managed to electrically wire the entire place for sound and lighting, AND install plumbing so you have access to restrooms.  A full concession stand serves the typical concert fare, and picknick tables line the back of the room where patrons can bring in their own food and beverage spread.  The only thing not permitted is alcohol and smoking.  Not sure how they monitor the alcohol thing, because if you brought your own in a Nalgene bottle no one would ever check or know.  Suffice it to say, the show's at 1pm on a Saturday so at that point you're probably still in recovery from the previous night anyhow.

When Mountain Heart took the stage I wasn't sure what to expect having never seen them before.  I was completely blown away by their talent.  How many bands can boast a two fingered banjo player, one of the best vocalists I've EVER heard (no exaggeration) and a guitar, fiddle, bass and piano that blast through your body with such lightening fast speed it will make your head spin.  Here's a snippet:

http://youtu.be/P9Oe7BgKet0

It was a fantastic way to spend a Saturday afternoon.  We will definitely head back to the cave at some point.