New In Town, Falling For Black Mountain

WEBVTT
00:00:29.170 --> 00:00:30.610
Melissa Baker.
00:00:30.850 --> 00:00:33.250
I met you last week.
00:00:33.490 --> 00:00:35.250
I don't know much about you.
00:00:35.410 --> 00:00:41.090
And so that was actually part of the reason I thought you'd be great to have because you're brand new here.
00:00:41.170 --> 00:00:44.049
You moved here in September with your husband.
00:00:44.530 --> 00:00:46.770
And so what's your story?
00:00:46.930 --> 00:00:47.810
Where you're from?
00:00:48.130 --> 00:00:49.329
Well, thank you.
00:00:49.730 --> 00:00:54.770
Originally we're from Jacksonville, well, a suburb of Jacksonville, Florida called Middleburg.
00:00:54.930 --> 00:00:58.290
But we always say Jacksonville because no one's heard of Middleburg.
00:00:58.609 --> 00:01:00.210
Claim it, claim Middleburg.
00:01:00.290 --> 00:01:00.609
Come on.
00:01:00.689 --> 00:01:02.049
I've been there actually, but go ahead.
00:01:02.769 --> 00:01:03.010
Yeah.
00:01:03.329 --> 00:01:03.570
Okay.
00:01:03.730 --> 00:01:05.730
So yeah, the country.
00:01:05.969 --> 00:01:08.850
We're from out in the country in Florida.
00:01:09.170 --> 00:01:17.650
But we recently moved to Black Mountain from Indian Shores, which is a small barrier island off the coast of Tampa.
00:01:17.890 --> 00:01:18.210
Okay.
00:01:19.090 --> 00:01:21.329
So his job brought him up here.
00:01:21.570 --> 00:01:22.370
Who does he work for?
00:01:22.689 --> 00:01:23.489
Kierfot.
00:01:23.570 --> 00:01:23.810
Yes.
00:01:24.129 --> 00:01:25.250
On Highway 90.
00:01:25.489 --> 00:01:26.450
They are chamber members.
00:01:26.530 --> 00:01:30.609
I've really enjoyed getting to meet them and get to know them a little bit better.
00:01:30.689 --> 00:01:32.930
So that was that was fun when he said he was from Kierfot.
00:01:33.090 --> 00:01:34.850
I'm like, ooh, somebody on the inside.
00:01:34.930 --> 00:01:35.969
You can teach me all about it.
00:01:36.050 --> 00:01:37.170
And that's what we were talking about.
00:01:37.250 --> 00:01:38.130
But anyway, yeah.
00:01:38.290 --> 00:01:38.770
Go ahead.
00:01:39.090 --> 00:01:45.810
So yeah, we lived on the beach in Florida and really enjoyed the lifestyle.
00:01:45.969 --> 00:01:50.530
Loved being able to walk to local restaurants, bars, things like that.
00:01:50.609 --> 00:01:54.050
So just really loved the lifestyle of living at the beach.
00:01:54.370 --> 00:02:00.130
And then he got offered, he worked for an aerospace company there in Tampa.
00:02:00.770 --> 00:02:04.930
Long drive, hour a day, you know, both ways.
00:02:05.170 --> 00:02:08.289
And he got offered a job at Kierfot.
00:02:08.849 --> 00:02:23.810
We had never really heard of Black Mountain, except I did see an old movie once, and the lady, she was an art teacher in the movie, and her dream was to go to Black Mountain, get accepted into Black Mountain College.
00:02:29.009 --> 00:02:32.129
Yes, I thought it was fictional.
00:02:32.370 --> 00:02:35.729
And then when he said I said, Well, where's this company?
00:02:36.129 --> 00:02:37.489
He said Black Mountain.
00:02:37.569 --> 00:02:40.769
I'm like, I think I've seen that in a movie.
00:02:40.929 --> 00:02:43.489
I think they have an arts college there.
00:02:44.049 --> 00:02:46.609
So we didn't know much about it.
00:02:46.849 --> 00:02:54.449
He came up here for the flew up here for the interview, came back, said, I think this would be a good fit.
00:02:54.689 --> 00:02:56.929
The company seems really good.
00:02:57.649 --> 00:03:01.250
So his father was s sick at the time.
00:03:01.409 --> 00:03:04.049
They had called hospice in, sadly.
00:03:04.449 --> 00:03:07.409
And they his parents live in Elberton, Georgia.
00:03:07.729 --> 00:03:08.209
That's right.
00:03:08.530 --> 00:03:12.289
So taking this job would bring us closer to them.
00:03:12.449 --> 00:03:14.530
We're only two and a half hours.
00:03:14.849 --> 00:03:18.129
So we decided to take it, sight unseen.
00:03:18.370 --> 00:03:19.969
I had never been out here.
00:03:20.449 --> 00:03:25.569
Yeah, it was kind of bizarre because we had a condo on the beach.
00:03:25.810 --> 00:03:30.289
Helene had just hit a few months before we were repaired.
00:03:30.449 --> 00:03:35.329
We had gotten repaired in the middle of March, I think it was, finally got the permits.
00:03:35.569 --> 00:03:38.049
I heard you guys dealt with that up here as well.
00:03:38.370 --> 00:03:39.090
Still are.
00:03:47.889 --> 00:03:54.129
So we thought we would keep that and come here, keep that as a vacation house, come here.
00:03:54.609 --> 00:04:01.729
But my neighbor was a realtor and sold our place without even putting it on the market.
00:04:01.969 --> 00:04:02.289
Great.
00:04:02.449 --> 00:04:06.129
We had 23 days to get up here, so I didn't even have time to house hunt.
00:04:06.370 --> 00:04:06.609
Good.
00:04:06.769 --> 00:04:11.090
We rented a house through Greybeard Realty, sight unseen.
00:04:11.409 --> 00:04:12.849
Have never done that in my life.
00:04:13.009 --> 00:04:13.729
Oh my goodness.
00:04:13.889 --> 00:04:14.849
You're a brave woman.
00:04:15.009 --> 00:04:16.209
Yeah, it was scary.
00:04:16.370 --> 00:04:17.970
It was really scary.
00:04:18.370 --> 00:04:19.970
And we lucked out.
00:04:20.209 --> 00:04:25.730
We're right on 4th Street, so I can have the same lifestyle I did at the beach.
00:04:25.889 --> 00:04:31.649
I can walk downtown, get lunch, get dinner, have cocktails.
00:04:31.810 --> 00:04:33.090
I love Black Mountain.
00:04:33.329 --> 00:04:33.490
Good.
00:04:33.810 --> 00:04:34.689
Beautiful town.
00:04:35.009 --> 00:04:35.410
Good.
00:04:35.730 --> 00:04:39.569
We met actually at my father's pizza.
00:04:39.889 --> 00:04:40.050
Yes.
00:04:40.290 --> 00:04:42.050
And my friend Andrew.
00:04:42.129 --> 00:04:43.730
I need to have Andrew on the podcast.
00:04:43.889 --> 00:04:50.529
Anyway, Andrew is a new bartender, new in town, and he is he's he's Mac Daddy.
00:04:50.610 --> 00:04:52.289
I just think he's a tall guy, right?
00:04:52.449 --> 00:04:53.329
Yeah, he's great.
00:04:53.569 --> 00:04:55.329
But anyway, that's where we met.
00:04:55.649 --> 00:04:58.930
And so I know that you already, I already, I know you knew that.
00:04:59.009 --> 00:05:04.449
And then we talked about Old Town District while we were there, and y'all were headed there later or another day or something.
00:05:04.610 --> 00:05:06.289
Um so I love night.
00:05:06.610 --> 00:05:07.009
Oh, was it?
00:05:07.089 --> 00:05:07.250
Okay.
00:05:07.490 --> 00:05:07.810
Yes.
00:05:07.889 --> 00:05:12.849
They were so you were sitting next to my husband, right?
00:05:13.250 --> 00:05:18.930
And when we had walked in, there was a young couple sitting to the left of me.
00:05:19.329 --> 00:05:25.409
Well, evidently, Greg he that guy works at Kirafot as well.
00:05:25.649 --> 00:05:27.490
And Greg doesn't know him that well.
00:05:27.569 --> 00:05:29.569
Like I said, we know him better now up here.
00:05:29.969 --> 00:05:30.610
Exactly.
00:05:30.930 --> 00:05:37.409
So I talked to him and his wife, and they told me that some friends of theirs were playing at Old Town District.
00:05:38.209 --> 00:05:39.810
We love live music.
00:05:39.969 --> 00:05:42.370
That's another reason why we love Black Mountain.
00:05:42.769 --> 00:05:43.810
Good music.
00:05:44.370 --> 00:05:49.730
So we decided after my father's pizza to walk over to Old Town District.
00:05:49.969 --> 00:05:52.289
I love the vibe there is so nice.
00:05:52.529 --> 00:05:52.930
I do love it.
00:05:53.170 --> 00:05:55.649
We've been there to watch football games too.
00:05:55.810 --> 00:05:56.050
Yes.
00:05:56.209 --> 00:05:56.529
Yes.
00:05:56.689 --> 00:06:01.969
Those are the two places to watch football games in this town, in my opinion, which is, you know, I'm sure there are others.
00:06:02.050 --> 00:06:04.209
I probably will hear about that.
00:06:04.449 --> 00:06:08.849
But um, but those are the two that I tend to watch sports at, those two places.
00:06:09.009 --> 00:06:10.209
But where else do you like to go?
00:06:10.289 --> 00:06:12.689
What else do you what else have you found since you got here?
00:06:13.009 --> 00:06:13.329
Okay.
00:06:13.730 --> 00:06:14.370
A lot.
00:06:15.889 --> 00:06:27.889
So my neighbors, they when we first came, probably a month after, a month or two after we moved in, they came and knocked on the door, invited us over for wine and charcuterie.
00:06:28.050 --> 00:06:29.170
Very nice couple.
00:06:29.329 --> 00:06:33.969
Well, they belong, they go to a wine club every month at K Sarah.
00:06:34.610 --> 00:06:37.009
So they invited Greg and I.
00:06:37.170 --> 00:06:41.889
So we went, had a wonderful time, met some other people.
00:06:42.050 --> 00:06:45.969
So we've been going every month since, except last night.
00:06:46.129 --> 00:06:50.610
They had one last night, but we were unable to attend, which I was sad.
00:06:50.689 --> 00:06:51.730
Greg had a meeting.
00:06:51.810 --> 00:06:53.810
But should have told me, I'll be your plus one.
00:06:54.050 --> 00:06:55.810
Oh, that's good, you're awesome.
00:06:56.050 --> 00:06:56.689
Yeah.
00:06:57.329 --> 00:07:00.610
So yeah, the owner of K Sarah is great.
00:07:00.849 --> 00:07:01.250
Danielle.
00:07:01.569 --> 00:07:02.370
She's fabulous.
00:07:02.529 --> 00:07:03.490
I love all of them.
00:07:03.730 --> 00:07:07.969
She puts out a huge charcuterie spread down the table.
00:07:08.370 --> 00:07:12.289
We taste six wines and they're pretty hefty pour.
00:07:12.769 --> 00:07:15.810
So he And you didn't think of me.
00:07:16.769 --> 00:07:17.649
My goodness.
00:07:17.889 --> 00:07:23.969
Yeah, it's really nice because the wines are, you know, between$20 and$50 a bottle.
00:07:24.449 --> 00:07:29.730
So afterward, if you want to buy some, it's not, you know, it's not super expensive.
00:07:29.969 --> 00:07:34.449
And they actually go on a trip every month, every year as well.
00:07:34.689 --> 00:07:36.449
This year, Greg and I missed out.
00:07:36.529 --> 00:07:41.009
We weren't here in time to sign up, but they are going to Provence.
00:07:41.490 --> 00:07:42.769
I'm jealous.
00:07:43.250 --> 00:07:44.610
Well, where are we going next year?
00:07:45.009 --> 00:07:45.649
Tuscany.
00:07:45.810 --> 00:07:46.289
Let's go.
00:07:46.449 --> 00:07:46.689
Yeah.
00:07:46.769 --> 00:07:51.170
So my neighbor, Dave, he actually plans these trips.
00:07:51.250 --> 00:07:59.250
And from what I hear, he's retired, but he loves to act the it like a travel agent and said I need to meet Dave.
00:07:59.649 --> 00:08:00.209
Yes.
00:08:00.449 --> 00:08:00.930
Hmm.
00:08:01.250 --> 00:08:03.409
Okay, my brain's turning now.
00:08:03.649 --> 00:08:03.969
All right.
00:08:04.050 --> 00:08:05.009
Well, that's exciting.
00:08:05.250 --> 00:08:05.490
Okay.
00:08:05.810 --> 00:08:09.170
So you've you that you where do you go at lunchtime?
00:08:09.409 --> 00:08:11.170
Those are all sound like dinner time things.
00:08:11.649 --> 00:08:12.050
Yeah.
00:08:12.289 --> 00:08:17.170
So I like uh Black Mountain Bistro, of course, Trailhead.
00:08:17.250 --> 00:08:21.329
I think they have a great hamburger and the best hand-cut French fries.
00:08:21.569 --> 00:08:26.689
Um I should be eating French fries, but they're too good to pass up.
00:08:26.930 --> 00:08:29.649
Um I have been to Cousins.
00:08:31.009 --> 00:08:42.050
Now, so coming from Florida and living in Tampa, you know, it we have a lot of Cuban restaurants in Tampa.
00:08:42.450 --> 00:08:47.250
And one that has been around since 1905 called Columbia.
00:08:47.330 --> 00:08:48.690
It's famous.
00:08:48.930 --> 00:08:51.009
They have the best Cuban sandwich.
00:08:51.090 --> 00:08:58.610
I used to ride, we had one a couple islands over from me that I would ride my bike to with my girlfriend for lunch.
00:08:58.930 --> 00:09:04.049
So when we first came, we're driving through to get to the house, to see the house.
00:09:04.450 --> 00:09:06.529
First sight unseen.
00:09:07.250 --> 00:09:11.649
We're driving down the main road, and I see the Cuban restaurant.
00:09:11.809 --> 00:09:15.809
I said, Greg, we're gonna go there tomorrow for lunch.
00:09:15.889 --> 00:09:20.850
And if they have a good Cuban sandwich, then I know we have moved to the right place.
00:09:21.330 --> 00:09:25.250
So we went, the Cuban sam sandwich is fabulous.
00:09:25.490 --> 00:09:25.970
So good.
00:09:26.129 --> 00:09:27.330
I highly recommend it.
00:09:27.569 --> 00:09:27.889
Yes.
00:09:28.049 --> 00:09:30.370
It's I go there once a week for sure.
00:09:30.610 --> 00:09:31.889
For sure once a week.
00:09:32.210 --> 00:09:33.169
But yes.
00:09:33.490 --> 00:09:34.129
Well, good.
00:09:34.210 --> 00:09:39.090
What else have you found to do that's not eating and and live music and football games?
00:09:39.809 --> 00:09:40.850
Uh hiking.
00:09:41.090 --> 00:09:41.490
Really?
00:09:41.649 --> 00:09:42.210
Yes.
00:09:42.529 --> 00:09:47.809
So we uh did uh here right up the road here.
00:09:48.049 --> 00:09:55.090
We went to look out and uh Greg said to me, Oh, it's an easy trail, Melissa.
00:09:55.330 --> 00:09:59.090
He didn't finish reading the whole thing, that it's pretty steep.
00:09:59.970 --> 00:10:04.289
Steep going up, and then you have to kind of climb a few rocks.
00:10:04.610 --> 00:10:07.090
So I didn't have on proper footwear.
00:10:07.169 --> 00:10:09.730
Oh no, I just had on tennis shoes.
00:10:09.970 --> 00:10:11.330
Yes, come on, buddy.
00:10:11.649 --> 00:10:15.330
But it was absolutely beautiful when we got out.
00:10:15.649 --> 00:10:17.409
It was worth the trip, yes.
00:10:17.730 --> 00:10:26.049
So I want to go back when I mean things are starting to bloom now, but when everything is in full bloom, I want to go back.
00:10:26.610 --> 00:10:27.090
Amazing.
00:10:27.169 --> 00:10:28.210
It's it's amazing.
00:10:28.370 --> 00:10:35.649
It was breathtaking, literally, yes, yes, and this weekend we did some falls too.
00:10:35.970 --> 00:10:36.769
What'd you do?
00:10:36.929 --> 00:10:39.250
We went to Okay, Waterfalls.
00:10:39.330 --> 00:10:40.529
I'm like, what are you talking about?
00:10:41.009 --> 00:10:42.450
Falls down the mountain, I don't know.
00:10:42.610 --> 00:10:43.809
Yeah, waterfalls.
00:10:43.970 --> 00:10:49.490
We went to one called Tom's Creek, okay, which I think is Marion.
00:10:49.889 --> 00:10:58.129
Yeah, it's not around here, so yeah, yeah, no, yeah, you had to travel for yeah, and then we went to three just outside of Hendersonville.
00:10:58.370 --> 00:10:58.529
Okay.
00:10:58.769 --> 00:11:00.450
Have you been to Catawba Falls yet?
00:11:00.689 --> 00:11:01.250
Not yet.
00:11:01.490 --> 00:11:06.129
Girl, because I heard there's like 500 steps.
00:11:06.289 --> 00:11:07.409
There's different ways to do it.
00:11:07.569 --> 00:11:08.049
Oh, okay.
00:11:08.370 --> 00:11:09.330
Teach you, I'll teach you all.
00:11:09.649 --> 00:11:16.049
Okay, but yes, we wanted to save that for when things are blooming just when you can also get in the water.
00:11:16.210 --> 00:11:16.450
Yes.
00:11:16.610 --> 00:11:19.730
That's the other and my grandson, he comes every summer.
00:11:19.889 --> 00:11:19.970
Okay.
00:11:25.409 --> 00:11:25.649
Yep.
00:11:25.809 --> 00:11:26.450
That'll be good.
00:11:26.689 --> 00:11:27.809
Yeah, I'm excited.
00:11:28.049 --> 00:11:28.929
Good, good.
00:11:29.250 --> 00:11:31.250
So you've you've figured things out.
00:11:31.409 --> 00:11:34.769
That's one of the things that I um I grew up coming here.
00:11:34.850 --> 00:11:41.490
I always say I was born and raised in Atlanta, but I grew up here because we spent the weekends up here.
00:11:41.730 --> 00:11:45.009
My father inherited his mother's house.
00:11:45.330 --> 00:11:47.569
And so there was a lot of work to be done on it.
00:11:47.649 --> 00:11:49.409
And so every weekend he would come and work on that.
00:11:49.569 --> 00:11:51.970
We got to play in the woods and run around and all that.
00:11:52.210 --> 00:11:54.529
So I grew up here, quote unquote.
00:11:54.689 --> 00:11:58.289
Didn't go to Owen High School, but I did do that.
00:11:58.370 --> 00:12:00.850
And then I moved here two years ago.
00:12:01.009 --> 00:12:05.169
And one of the things that when you move somewhere, it's a whole new game.
00:12:05.250 --> 00:12:10.210
I mean, you can vacation somewhere forever, and then you move there and you have to find somebody to cut your hair.
00:12:10.289 --> 00:12:12.689
You have to find, you know, where all the things are.
00:12:12.929 --> 00:12:22.129
When you first move here, you have to figure out where to do everything and how to make things happen, and you know, who's the best plumber and all those sort of things.
00:12:22.370 --> 00:12:26.049
So, how did you do in figuring all that out when you got here?
00:12:26.450 --> 00:12:29.409
Well, actually, my neighbor helped me, Suzanne.
00:12:29.809 --> 00:12:42.289
She helped me with hair, nails, but also the there was a lady I met at the coffee bar inside the bookstore, Sassafrax.
00:12:43.009 --> 00:12:49.490
And she helped me a lot figuring out where to go to get things done.
00:12:49.730 --> 00:12:52.210
And then this is a funny story.
00:12:52.529 --> 00:12:56.129
My landscaper was doing a neighbor's yard.
00:12:56.210 --> 00:12:58.049
I seen him from the upstairs.
00:12:58.370 --> 00:13:01.009
So he probably thinks I'm crazy.
00:13:01.809 --> 00:13:11.970
I don't know, he could be right, but anyway, he was finishing up and he was going around the corner and he had these things on his ears and couldn't hear me.
00:13:12.049 --> 00:13:14.049
So I'm running behind him.
00:13:14.689 --> 00:13:17.169
He was so friendly, so friendly.
00:13:17.330 --> 00:13:24.370
And so he took my name, my number, and started showing up and doing my yard for me.
00:13:24.450 --> 00:13:29.809
But everybody we have met here has been super friendly, super helpful.
00:13:30.049 --> 00:13:32.129
Like you, I met you at the bar.
00:13:33.090 --> 00:13:35.169
Well, I mean, we were talking about business.
00:13:35.330 --> 00:13:40.929
Actually, you were talking to somebody else, and your husband and I were sitting there, and I finally said, Well, let's have a conversation.
00:13:41.090 --> 00:13:45.169
So we had this big conversation, we had a big time, and anyway, that's how we met.
00:13:45.330 --> 00:13:58.210
So that's how I that's how I've met almost everybody, not not necessarily at a bar or a restaurant, but but everywhere I go is is people are so friendly and willing to help and give their ideas and suggestions and things like that.
00:13:58.289 --> 00:14:01.409
So I really like it.
00:14:01.490 --> 00:14:06.450
I think everybody I don't think I've met a mean person in Black Mountain.
00:14:06.689 --> 00:14:09.090
Everybody has been nice and friendly.
00:14:09.330 --> 00:14:09.889
Well, good.
00:14:10.049 --> 00:14:11.250
That's what we're supposed to do.
00:14:11.730 --> 00:14:12.610
Like our mama's taught us.
00:14:13.409 --> 00:14:14.610
That's what your mama taught you.
00:14:14.769 --> 00:14:20.689
Yes, even like we'll go, we'll walk up to because we don't live far from downtown, so we can walk there.
00:14:20.850 --> 00:14:24.610
We'll walk up to look out brewing and sit out by the fire pit.
00:14:24.929 --> 00:14:26.129
How have I never seen you there?
00:14:26.289 --> 00:14:27.490
I'm there every Thursday night.
00:14:27.730 --> 00:14:28.129
Really?
00:14:28.289 --> 00:14:28.450
Yes.
00:14:28.610 --> 00:14:30.210
Yeah, music bingo all the time.
00:14:30.450 --> 00:14:31.009
Music bingo.
00:14:31.169 --> 00:14:32.610
They have not been from Music Bingo.
00:14:32.850 --> 00:14:33.649
You gotta come.
00:14:33.889 --> 00:14:34.850
I know, I know.
00:14:34.929 --> 00:14:37.649
They were telling me they just did a wine tasting there.
00:14:37.730 --> 00:14:38.610
Do you ever go to the wine?
00:14:38.850 --> 00:14:41.169
Well, I gotta music bingo at Lookout Brew.
00:14:41.330 --> 00:14:41.730
That's what I do.
00:14:41.889 --> 00:14:46.529
Well, they got brewing has wine tastings and they pair it with pizza from French.
00:14:47.090 --> 00:14:47.649
That's cool.
00:14:47.809 --> 00:14:51.490
Yeah, it can't I mean how can you pass it wine and pizza?
00:14:51.649 --> 00:14:52.689
Wine and pizza, exactly.
00:14:52.850 --> 00:14:56.610
Yeah, but we like to sit by the fire pits and everybody talks to us.
00:14:56.929 --> 00:14:57.809
Yes, it's fun.
00:14:57.970 --> 00:14:58.769
It's fun.
00:14:59.169 --> 00:14:59.569
Yeah.
00:14:59.809 --> 00:15:09.090
Have you found something that is off the beaten path or something that you didn't you were surprised by when you got here that you didn't know we had, or something like that?
00:15:11.009 --> 00:15:11.649
Bear.
00:15:11.970 --> 00:15:12.610
Bears.
00:15:12.929 --> 00:15:14.610
Yes, we do have bears.
00:15:15.250 --> 00:15:16.850
Do you have a bear story yet?
00:15:17.090 --> 00:15:20.289
Well, uh no, just one was on my front porch.
00:15:20.529 --> 00:15:21.569
Everybody's got a bear story.
00:15:21.649 --> 00:15:21.730
Right.
00:15:21.889 --> 00:15:22.689
So you gotta work on it.
00:15:22.929 --> 00:15:25.970
Yeah, I didn't I didn't come across a bear.
00:15:26.049 --> 00:15:27.330
It was on my ring camera.
00:15:27.490 --> 00:15:27.649
Okay.
00:15:27.730 --> 00:15:39.730
And the funny thing is, is that I had told Greg that I think it was that morning, right before he left for work, I said, you know, I'm seeing on the ring camera.
00:15:39.809 --> 00:15:42.610
You know how like your neighbors will post things.
00:15:43.090 --> 00:15:51.409
And I said, they're seeing bear, and I said they tell you to turn your porch light on before you go out in the morning.
00:15:51.649 --> 00:15:54.850
So you don't, because when he leaves for work, it's dark.
00:15:55.009 --> 00:16:02.210
So you don't startle them because that's when they might charge you just because you're scaring them.
00:16:02.529 --> 00:16:05.490
So he kind of laughed at me.
00:16:05.569 --> 00:16:08.850
He's like, Oh, I'm fine, no bear's gonna get me.
00:16:08.929 --> 00:16:12.049
You know how men are, they're tough.
00:16:12.450 --> 00:16:23.009
So, right after he left for work, I looked at my ring camera, and maybe two hours before we had gotten up, there was a big black bear from Porto.
00:16:23.250 --> 00:16:24.289
So I sent it to him.
00:16:24.370 --> 00:16:29.169
I said, Oh, if he stands up on his hind legs, you're done.
00:16:29.409 --> 00:16:31.889
Yeah, that's cute.
00:16:32.049 --> 00:16:32.610
That's cute.
00:16:32.769 --> 00:16:35.730
Yeah, you've gotta have bear stories because everybody has a bear story.
00:16:35.970 --> 00:16:41.809
Yeah, I didn't think living right in town that I would see them, but yeah, they're everywhere.
00:16:42.210 --> 00:16:43.169
They are everywhere.
00:16:43.330 --> 00:16:44.529
It's true, it's true.
00:16:44.689 --> 00:16:46.289
They're they're they're so cute.
00:16:46.450 --> 00:16:48.049
They are they really are cute.
00:16:48.210 --> 00:16:52.529
You want to until they destroy until they destroy your garbage can.
00:16:52.610 --> 00:16:53.970
Do not leave trash out.
00:16:54.049 --> 00:16:54.450
You know that.
00:16:54.610 --> 00:16:54.850
Yes.
00:16:55.009 --> 00:16:56.210
And do not leave it in your car.
00:16:56.370 --> 00:16:56.689
Yes.
00:16:56.850 --> 00:16:58.289
Food in your car is a bad idea.
00:16:58.370 --> 00:17:01.169
A French fry on the floor in your car is a bad idea.
00:17:01.409 --> 00:17:01.569
Yeah.
00:17:01.809 --> 00:17:02.289
There you go.
00:17:02.450 --> 00:17:02.610
Okay.
00:17:02.769 --> 00:17:04.930
They told me take my gum out, my ticket.
00:17:05.250 --> 00:17:08.769
Everything they will eat a granola bar that's still in the wrapper.
00:17:08.850 --> 00:17:10.370
How do they know it's in there?
00:17:10.610 --> 00:17:11.330
But they do.
00:17:11.490 --> 00:17:11.970
They do.
00:17:12.130 --> 00:17:13.009
So, yes.
00:17:13.330 --> 00:17:15.809
My father always says, Is there any food in your car?
00:17:15.890 --> 00:17:17.090
And I'm like, No, of course not.
00:17:17.170 --> 00:17:19.890
And then the next morning I'll get in, I'm like, ooh, was food in my car.
00:17:19.970 --> 00:17:23.730
And I'm thinking, ugh, I haven't been attacked, but I mean my car hasn't been attacked.
00:17:24.049 --> 00:17:25.890
But well, yes, but they're back.
00:17:26.049 --> 00:17:29.090
They I saw them, gosh, I guess two days ago I saw them walking.
00:17:29.170 --> 00:17:31.569
So I there there's a den across the street from my house.
00:17:31.730 --> 00:17:32.049
Oh, well.
00:17:32.370 --> 00:17:39.009
And I see them all the time, but I hadn't seen them in, you know, you see them off and on in the winter, but not as much as as now.
00:17:39.329 --> 00:17:39.890
Yeah, yeah.
00:17:40.049 --> 00:17:46.210
This is when they start to really start to hit the streets and visits warm.
00:17:46.690 --> 00:17:48.369
Yeah, I did not realize that.
00:17:48.450 --> 00:17:51.970
You know, I always thought bears hibernated in the winter.
00:17:52.210 --> 00:17:54.529
Not it's not woe cold enough here.
00:17:54.690 --> 00:17:54.930
Yeah.
00:17:55.329 --> 00:17:58.049
See, I never realized that until we moved here.
00:17:58.289 --> 00:17:58.529
I am.
00:17:58.849 --> 00:18:01.569
And we like to drive through Montreat.
00:18:02.289 --> 00:18:03.410
It's beautiful.
00:18:03.970 --> 00:18:05.890
Looks like something out of Harry Potter.
00:18:06.129 --> 00:18:09.009
Oh, how does stone and breeze?
00:18:09.250 --> 00:18:09.970
I've never thought of that.
00:18:10.129 --> 00:18:11.569
It's very mystical.
00:18:11.809 --> 00:18:13.650
Yeah, it's just beautiful.
00:18:13.809 --> 00:18:17.009
But we drive through there hoping that we'll see Bear.
00:18:17.170 --> 00:18:19.490
I mean, we're not going to get out of the car.
00:18:19.569 --> 00:18:22.129
We'll just like to drive by and see.
00:18:22.289 --> 00:18:23.170
You'll see them.
00:18:23.329 --> 00:18:24.450
You'll see them a lot.
00:18:24.609 --> 00:18:26.210
That's a great place to look for them.
00:18:26.369 --> 00:18:27.490
Yeah, I'll give you some.
00:18:27.569 --> 00:18:31.410
Uh, you need to meet Gatewood Campbell because she is the bear tracker.
00:18:31.569 --> 00:18:35.329
I mean, she knows where they are, what time, and where to go, and she lives in Black Mountain.
00:18:35.490 --> 00:18:38.129
But I'll have to connect you with her because she's the bear queen.
00:18:38.369 --> 00:18:39.250
Oh, that'd be awesome.
00:18:39.569 --> 00:18:41.089
You'll have to get to know her.
00:18:42.609 --> 00:18:43.569
Have you found a church?
00:18:43.650 --> 00:18:44.210
Do you go to church?
00:18:45.170 --> 00:18:46.609
People are looking for one.
00:18:47.329 --> 00:18:47.650
No.
00:18:47.890 --> 00:18:48.210
Okay.
00:18:49.170 --> 00:18:51.650
Nonprofits, volunteer stuff.
00:18:52.210 --> 00:18:52.690
Not yet.
00:18:52.849 --> 00:18:55.170
We haven't been here quite long enough.
00:18:55.329 --> 00:19:02.210
Like I said, Greg uh his father was sick and then passed away on Thanksgiving Day, actually.
00:19:02.289 --> 00:19:04.609
So we're having to go there every weekend.
00:19:04.769 --> 00:19:09.730
So we just are able to explore here.
00:19:09.890 --> 00:19:10.129
Right.
00:19:10.369 --> 00:19:11.970
And have some weekends here.
00:19:12.289 --> 00:19:12.609
That's right.
00:19:12.769 --> 00:19:13.890
Yeah, which is nice.
00:19:14.129 --> 00:19:23.730
But I did see that they have volunteer opportunities, and I think I may take them up on it at the the Black Mountain Children's Home.
00:19:23.970 --> 00:19:25.730
Yes, what a wonderful place.
00:19:25.970 --> 00:19:28.529
They uh they it it's amazing too.
00:19:28.769 --> 00:19:46.849
What I love about their uh there's a lot of things to love about the Black Mountain Children home for children, but one of them is that they have a transitional housing kind of situation where kids when they're when they age out of the foster system, a lot of time a lot of places they don't have anywhere to go.
00:19:47.089 --> 00:19:57.890
But they they've thought that through and they've planned a little area that they can live, but they have to have, you know, they have rules, but they kind of push them out of the nest, but not shove them out.
00:19:58.049 --> 00:19:59.250
Yes, I know it's really cool.
00:19:59.650 --> 00:19:59.970
I love that.
00:20:00.609 --> 00:20:01.329
I love that Yeah.
00:20:01.490 --> 00:20:06.289
Well, we had talked about before that Greg was retired military.
00:20:06.849 --> 00:20:17.730
And so it being military, you run into a lot of adults that grew up in the foster care system or in a children's home.
00:20:18.129 --> 00:20:21.490
And they tell us all the time that's why they joined the military.
00:20:21.809 --> 00:20:30.369
Because when they turn 18, they're given a brown sack with a couple pairs of clothes, and it used to be$75.
00:20:30.930 --> 00:20:31.170
Yeah.
00:20:31.329 --> 00:20:33.329
That won't even rent you a hotel room.
00:20:33.410 --> 00:20:39.329
And a lot of recruiters end up trying to get these kids in quickly.
00:20:39.490 --> 00:20:42.369
So they have a roof over their head, a paycheck.
00:20:42.529 --> 00:20:44.450
So that's nice that they're doing it.
00:20:45.170 --> 00:20:46.930
It's yeah, they really think things through.
00:20:47.009 --> 00:20:52.049
And their new director is he's not new anymore, but he uh is very forward thinking.
00:20:52.129 --> 00:20:55.329
He has lots of great ideas that he's working on.
00:20:55.730 --> 00:20:56.930
And I've he's a dreamer.
00:20:57.170 --> 00:20:59.009
They do do a good happen.
00:20:59.410 --> 00:21:25.410
I think engaging the community because I see they reach out on Facebook, like it's baseball season, and so you can order things from Amazon and have it sent directly over there for the kids to play baseball and t-ball, or like Valentine's, they were having a Valentine's party, and so you could get on Amazon, they share the link, and you can order stuff for their we're gonna have to talk to them.
00:21:25.569 --> 00:21:28.849
They need to start thinking local here too, not just Amazon.
00:21:28.930 --> 00:21:31.970
Come on to go see him this afternoon.
00:21:32.210 --> 00:21:38.049
Anyway, but yes, see, they do they do want people to do a good job of trying to engage the community.
00:21:38.289 --> 00:21:39.009
They do, yeah.
00:21:39.890 --> 00:21:43.009
One of our volunteers did some math tutoring over there.
00:21:43.089 --> 00:21:48.529
He's math genius, and he went and he said it was, you know, really, really rewarding to get to help these kids.
00:21:48.609 --> 00:21:48.769
Yeah.
00:21:48.930 --> 00:21:52.529
So I think that and I just didn't think about I don't know.
00:21:52.609 --> 00:21:55.329
I I don't know what I thought people would do over there.
00:21:55.410 --> 00:21:57.250
It just didn't cross my mind to do math tutoring.
00:21:57.329 --> 00:21:57.410
Yeah.
00:21:57.569 --> 00:21:58.049
I don't know.
00:21:58.129 --> 00:22:01.329
I would probably because I wouldn't be very successful at that.
00:22:01.410 --> 00:22:02.690
That's not my gift.
00:22:03.009 --> 00:22:03.970
But anyway.
00:22:04.369 --> 00:22:08.690
Well, that's a great place for you to go figure out, you know, that might be a great place to see what you want to do.
00:22:08.849 --> 00:22:17.890
And then we uh went to the VFW and I was looking at, you know, do they go and walk through the veterans home here?
00:22:19.170 --> 00:22:21.170
Which is, I think, is important.
00:22:21.410 --> 00:22:21.730
Yep.
00:22:21.890 --> 00:22:28.769
And so I told Greg I'd like to get something started at the VFW where we do walkthroughs and visits.
00:22:29.250 --> 00:22:29.970
It with the guys.
00:22:30.129 --> 00:22:31.250
Make sure everything's good.
00:22:33.009 --> 00:22:35.490
I'll introduce you to Maria right at the Veterans Home.
00:22:35.569 --> 00:22:36.930
You don't have to go through the VFW.
00:22:37.009 --> 00:22:37.890
You just go straight there.
00:22:37.970 --> 00:22:41.730
She's wonderful and she'd be a great and a really good person for you to know.
00:22:41.890 --> 00:22:42.930
So yeah.
00:22:43.170 --> 00:22:43.650
Well, thank you.
00:22:43.730 --> 00:22:44.690
I appreciate that.
00:22:45.009 --> 00:22:45.170
Sure.
00:22:45.329 --> 00:22:45.490
Yeah.
00:22:45.650 --> 00:22:46.609
No, that's cool.
00:22:47.089 --> 00:22:55.009
Is there anything else that I haven't asked you or you want to say or a place you want to shout out?
00:22:55.569 --> 00:23:01.329
Well, I I think I really love Black Mountain.
00:23:01.569 --> 00:23:04.289
We had planned on Greg and I.
00:23:04.450 --> 00:23:08.769
We skied North Carolina, Boon Area, Sugar Beach.
00:23:09.490 --> 00:23:17.890
So our plan when we were retiring was always to have the condo on the beach in Florida and have a condo up in the mountains.
00:23:18.049 --> 00:23:25.250
We're in North Carolina where we like to ski, but now that we have been here, we have adjusted that retirement plan.
00:23:25.490 --> 00:23:26.210
That's awesome.
00:23:26.450 --> 00:23:26.769
Yes.
00:23:27.009 --> 00:23:30.369
And now Black Mountain is part of our retirement plan.
00:23:30.529 --> 00:23:31.410
We love it here.
00:23:31.650 --> 00:23:35.329
I couldn't imagine being in another town.
00:23:35.490 --> 00:23:36.049
Well, cool.
00:23:36.210 --> 00:23:36.609
Good job.
00:23:36.690 --> 00:23:37.569
That was a great answer.
00:23:37.650 --> 00:23:40.609
That was a Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center kind of answer.
00:23:40.930 --> 00:23:41.970
So that was perfect.
00:23:42.210 --> 00:23:42.769
That was perfect.
00:23:42.930 --> 00:23:44.129
Well, thank you for coming today.
00:23:44.210 --> 00:23:44.690
I appreciate that.
00:23:45.490 --> 00:23:45.730
Thank you.
00:23:46.049 --> 00:23:48.690
I get to know you a little bit better, and that's that's great.
00:23:48.849 --> 00:23:52.930
So I have a new friend and I have a new plus one for K Sarah wine night.
00:23:53.009 --> 00:23:54.129
Don't skip it! Yes.
00:23:54.289 --> 00:23:55.089
I'm your girl.
00:23:55.329 --> 00:23:55.650
Okay.
00:23:55.890 --> 00:23:56.289
All right.
00:23:56.529 --> 00:23:57.329
Thank you.
00:23:58.210 --> 00:24:00.450
Thanks for joining us on Exploring the Valley.
00:24:00.529 --> 00:24:05.329
Until next time, keep celebrating the pride of our community and discovering the magic of the mountains.
00:24:05.490 --> 00:24:08.529
In the meantime, you're free to move about the valley.