American Festivals Project

I’m writing from the backwoods of North Carolina, in the middle of soy bean country. That’s our truck and Airstream trailer sitting in Matt’s front yard. (Note the blue square. Basically we have some more work to do..) There is plenty of open sky and sweet tea down here.

Have we officially left on our trip yet? No-far from it! Well, not too far. We have 7 days to take off and right now Matt and I are in Albemarle, N.C. visiting with his family, packing up Matt’s belongings, and doing some detail work to the Airstream. What does one do with spare time in North Carolina? Why shoot guns of course!

Matt’s brother Steven took us out into the soy bean fields to do some target practice. The family is trying to convince me to take a gun on the trip. It’s a hard decision, but I imagine we’ll meet some characters on the road where a little bit of intimidation could come in handy.  I met a guy last week who traveled in an RV all across America for three years and he said he would never go on a trip without a gun.  I think I’ve been living a sheltered life in Charlottesville because it has been years since I’ve ever felt threatened.   Personally, I’d rather be shot than shoot someone else.

The past week has involved lots of preparation for the trip. There’s been goodbye meals, visits from friends, and Airstream work with Matt. Here’s a sample from the week:

Dark skies on I-81.

Dinner with gracious hosts Cameron and Rose. The best meal I’ve had in weeks (and all local)!

My dear friend Gregory comes for a visit and lunch at Mel’s–Charlottesville’s best diner/burger joint!

I had the fun experience of helping The Mr. and Mrs. Gum with their soon-to-be very impressive, traditional wood working bench. It’s a shame we’ll be leaving before it is completed. If you want fine furniture made, Wheeler Gum is your man. Besides, with a name like that, don’t you just want to meet him!

The very serious gluing process….

Hope Sowell saves the day with her impressive and patient plumbing skills!

Matt on the roof of the Airstream, riveting a new panel from where we removed the TV antenna. Look at those arms!

The neighborhood painter has taken a liking to the Airstream. Edward showed up about two weeks ago and has since completed a number of paintings. Last week he drove up in his eight-year old Honda hybrid and painted the Airstream and his car together. He told me they were the two most over-the-top futuristic things on the road and they had to be painted together. I’m giving him the old appliances from the Airstream and he’s giving me a painting. I love doing trades with artists. Edward paints all over Charlottesville and always wears headphones when doing so. He had a teepee in his backyard until a few months ago.

We’re in N.C. until Monday and then we return to Charlottesville for the vegetable oil truck conversion, continued preparations, and then a send off party on the 30th! Please come out and join us at 817 King St. Starts at 6pm. Bring us a good novel or mix CD for the road.