You don't have to travel far out of middle class suburbia to be in the middle of nowhere. The middle of nowhere in North Carolina is a 4 lane highway, trees as far as the eye can see and the occasional horror house dotted along the roads. These old (not always deserted) houses are horror classics. - Amityville style! Actually - given that the real Amityville House of horror, where 6 family members were shot dead in their beds, went on sale in May 2010 for $1.15m perhaps I'm thinking more 'Monster house' - more knackered (there's a word Americans don't know!). What does the Amityville price tag say to those desperate folk in negative equity...?
Travel further into the Forest and you are into log cabin country- those cabins that also feature in American horror movies like 'The Vanishing.' I had the absolute joy of staying in such a cabin in the heart of the Pisgah National Forest. It was like a scene from 'The Evil Dead' without any of the Zombie devil bits (although there was a particularly vicious pull out sofa bed that has scarred my sister for life). It truly was in the middle of the forest - with lions and tigers and bears! Oh my! It was beautiful. Front and back porch with rockers, most of the furniture made from rustic branches and a claw foot bath tub but with all mod cons.
If ever you get the chance to see the fall in America (Autumn as we know it) then do so! It is truly spectacular. I thought the brochure photos I had seen were camera trickery - I know Jez, the camera never lies but colour filters can result in disappointment when you see the reality! I thought the red trees in the pictures has been super imposed. The reality was amazing. The mad combination of reds, oranges, yellows and greens across the Appalachian Mountain range are like nothing I have ever seen before (although I did grow up in Kings Norton so I only have the Lickey Hills to compare!).

Now there was a new word for my repertoire. I didn't know what it meant either but the picture of Chimney Rock gives the perfect definition. If not - ask someone younger for the definition!
when are you going to post the photos then
ReplyDeleteThats not a word i know but if its a word association game i cerainly do now. You are certainly learnong your old mom some new things. I know you only had tha Licky Hills but i have know got the Malverns and i thought they wre really beautiful in autumn but judging by the pics they are only nice not amazing
ReplyDeletethe photos just dont do it justice! come and see it!
ReplyDeleteBeauty is always in the eye of the beholder!