Hikers, Bikers and Fall

There’s a hint of fall in the air. With the changing seasons are changes in the culture of our small town. In summer, there is the trail festival and hikers flooding the sidewalks day and night. The post office is packed with visitors to the Appalachian Trail, picking up packages of supplies for the next leg of their journey. Tourists float down the river on inner tubes and sip craft beer from the tavern in town.

This year has been a little different, after last year’s visit from hurricane Helene wiped out most of our downtown. Traffic has been horrible, with interstate closings causing detours. Repairs to the main bridge, while needed, caused other problems.

But the hikers persist.

As the autumn winds shift, so does the town culture. Dusk brings the sound of baying hounds, likely chasing a black bear through the forest, replacing the sound of liquored up trail people, hootin’ and hollerin’ at the hostel up on the mountain.

Living their hillbilly fantasy, I suppose.

There are still tourists, but it’s mostly retired folks on big Harley trikes they’ve rented over in Maggie Valley. They, too, sip craft beer as they stare in wonder at the changing leaves.

I can’t blame them. It is pretty amazing.

I’m looking forward to the quieter season, I’m not a fan of summer with it’s legless creatures that slither about these mountains. In autumn, I get to see deer taking refuge in our backyard, following the trail to the creek that they’ve undoubtedly followed for centuries.

With the first frost, I become brave. I tell myself it’s safe to wander our little half acre, a dry creek bed. I’ve found several artifacts, stone tools and pottery chards. I assume they’re from the Cherokee that lived here before my great uncle purchased this land for his parents, my great grandparents. It’s been in our family ever since.

I’m sure the neighbors question my sanity when they see me wandering the yard, picking up stones.

If you stick around, you'll eventually learn why I’m not particularly fond of my neighbors.'

I hope ya’ll enjoy your week. Try to block out the news cycle. Preserve your sanity. You’re going to need it.

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