Mountains, bears, bonfires, and (finally) DSL! DemoTex reports from NC.

[DemoTex]

Dear DU,

A neighbor stopped by Friday evening and invited me to a bonfire at the local lake. I loaded the dogs into the Sube and headed up the gravel road to the small "dry hydrant" lake (the VFD uses it to fill up the tanker trucks). There are trout, bream, and smallmouth bass in this small community lake. Several dogs swim there daily, my Sirius and Canicula (Nick-Nick) included. I fly-fish there almost daily. There is a crude stone fire pit, too, for these impromptu bonfires.

Mike, another "close" neighbor, was the fire-master. He was already there to start the fire and would be responsible for extinguishing the fire, too (we are in the Nantahayla National Forest and adjacent to the Gorges State Park). It was BYOW (bring your own wood, wine, whiskey, etc) to this isolated party. I settled for some split hickory and cheap Australian Sirah.

I started up a steep grade on a washed out gravel road at a very slow speed in the Subaru. It is only about 3/4 mile from my house to the lake. It was still daylight. Near the top of the grade is Mike's and Denise's house. I knew they were already at the lake. I was surprised to see a black cat dart from right to left and up the steep slope to their house. My dogs missed the cat, as they had on numerous hikes through the same narrow roadway. Then, as I glanced ahead to Mike's driveway, my dogs went wild. A very large black bear loped from Mike's driveway into the woods towards my house not far away.

Anyway, the bonfire was great. I got briefed on the bears (no problemo). My new neighbors are an eclectic collection of fairly famous artists, old hippies, retirees, and those still working who choose to live way out in the sticks (as Ms/Dr Demotex calls it). Smokers/non-smokers, drinkers/non-drinkers, and the occasional whiff of a smell from the 60s.

How do I identify myself to my new neighbors? Retired airline pilot, aviation accident investigator, writer, and Democratic activist. That's the way it is.

Mac

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. Yeeee Haaaaaw. Sounds like the place for you Mac...

Shit, sounds like the place for me too. Any land for sale nearby?

[DemoTex]

3. Mucho land, relatively cheap.

Vietnam vets welcome! The whole place reminds me of Dalat.

[short bus president]

2. most excellent!

I had the bonfire thing yesterday, too. All day. It survived not one, but TWO rain showers, and kept on burning. Finally had to go put it out after midnight. And it LAUGHED in the face of my hose. Weird fire. But productive, in terms of reducing the yard waste.

Hope the mountains are treating you guys well. A couple more weeks now, and you'll have the best seats in the state for colors.

[dofus]

4. Is this a permanent relocation

or simply a vacation? And are you well inland?

[Crewleader]

5. Jack of all trades and Master of ...Mrs Demo Tex :)

Sounds like heaven for you both and I wish you good health and many many wonderful years together enjoying it, you've earned it friends! :hi:

[DS1]

6. Congrats on your new place

from the pic of the house and the description of the area, it sounds like possibly the coolest (besides that summer heat) place to be in the U.S.

Well played old chap, jolly well played!