Made you look didn’t I? A little bit about where we are staying in the North Carolina Mountains. In our previous stays we have been located closer to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Blowing Rock. Southern Living charm, Instagram worth scenery and hip elevated cuisine abound. Thinking chickpea fries with lemon saffron aioli, Blackberry brambles and Korean Pork Belly Tacos with Heritage pork…not your typical fried chicken and greens. Note, I did not say a thing about fly fishing waters. While there are fishable waters close by, the whispers of the Watagua are 30-40 minutes away…on a good day. So, the fish whisperer’s wife (Lauren) requested that we locate a place either on or with fishing rights to Watagua-cause nothing says Momma vaca like being with your three kiddos while the fish whisperer’s is out all day having meaningful conversations with various trout species.
After much looking we rented a lovely 2 year old home on the banks of the Watagua in Valle Crus, a mere five minutes from Mast General Store. Mast General has been around since the late 1890’s selling a little bit of everything, outdoor gear, gas, candy, soda pop in bottles. The kids remember the candy barrels. As Eddie’s childhood memories include a country store, the pot bellied stove, checker board-candy and bottled sodas, he is in charge of that field trip with the kids. Kids are pretty excited about both Mast and Eddie being in charge. They learn so quickly.
The exterior dark wood and stone is repeated on the three floors. Farmhouse meets lake house decor, with lots of on trend lighting (Edison lightbulbs) that all point up….love the look, but not practical if you need to do anything except spot spider webs on the ceiling. The key word is dark. Cozy, yes, shaded, yes, hard to see with all the lights on, yes…especially when you are of a certain age. The walk to the river and the stone fire pit are pretty level and easy. IPhone gives you a handy flashlight app for that. The ingress to the actual River, as I mentioned, is not as clean and clear. The depth of the water in the three house on either side of us is probably only 18” deep-at the deepest…3-4 feet closer to the bridge. So, that brings me to skinny dipping.
When did we start name all the full moons…July 23rd was the Buck Moon..I only remember Harvest Moons growing up. Okay, I’ll bite. Buck moon is when the male deer start showing their antler growth. Well, we are post full, not to new moon (Sturgeon moon August for you moonie loonies), so moonlight is not that bright either. Perfect conditions for skinny dipping. Last night, around midnight, the house was dark, blackout blinds drawn, no moonlight to illuminate my way. With my bare feet leading the way, I left the warmth of our bed. After more than two weeks, I knew the way…I heard the floor creak with my progress. Then, splash! my naked butt was wet…I am awake! Yes, Eddie had again left the toilet seat up. For 45 years, I have worked on this issue, but have given up and just remember to check. Except for when I don’t remember. Others have tried, right Deb? The lawyer responds simply, “Do I get upset when you don’t put it up for me?” Wonder of Mast sells nightlights? Perhaps some brain bleach-since you all have mental pictures than need to be erased.
Today’s conversation starter is-seat up or down? As we are on Septic tank here, with the number of snakes in water and woods found here(no, I have not seen any), the better question might be-Lid up or down?
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