Journey Through North Carolina – Part 7 ~ By Tom and Audrey ~

(To view the video, click in the image above.)

Hello and welcome to part 7 of our journey to North Carolina.

There was so much to discover along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  One place was historic  Brinegar Cabin  in Traphill, NC.  This tiny little cabin, roughly 300 square feet in size, was home to a family of 5.  What was interesting is how basic it was yet still standing as a reminder how 1880’s Appalachian families lived.  The wife weaved cloth from wool yarn and linen thread spun from flax grown in their garden and her husband, a cobbler, make shoes for a dollar a pair.  Wow the resourcefulness of these people sustaining life from goods made at home.  How many of us today are attempting to do this from home and finding it difficult.

Well this is it for today.  We hope you come back and see how the trip unfolds as we share more of the USA Through Our Eyes.  Until then be safe.

 

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  1. Bel

    Sometimes I feel that I was born in the wrong period. I love how simple life is back then and how resourceful people are when they find ways to make the best out of what life has given them. It’s all about perspective…

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    • usathroughoureyes

      We believe you are correct Bel, “its all about perspective”. Simple for us is so nice and as we get back to that frame of mind life seems to be richer. It is so nice hearing your thoughts.

      Liked by 1 person

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      • Bel

        We don’t need a lot of material things – just the right people to share these moments with – happy that you have each other to travel and experience life together.😊

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Margaret from soulfood101blog

    I am always amazed how people use to be so self reliant. I don’t think many of us today do it. I know there are people who can make clothes but do they actually make the fabric, or is it bought from a store? Do they make the thread to hold it together, or is it bought? Back then you made it ALL. Quite amazing.

    Liked by 2 people

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  7. Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC

    When I first saw the photo of the cabin (before I read more here), I was immediately transported to Cades Cove in the Smokies, near Gatlinburg. It’s hard to imagine what life must have been like for them.

    These Appalachian cabins are barely much bigger than your van, and this particular one housed 3 times as many people (but maybe not an inside dog unless the weather was truly bitter). My home office is almost bigger!

    I’ve never craved a huge house for myself (although some of those beautifully restored Victorian mansions make me want one whenever I see them). I’m thinking a cottage with a small yard for Tink would be easier to maintain without a staff of housekeepers and a butler – lol. I do crave a huge closet, however! 🙂

    Thanks so much for the hit of gratitude this post inspired tonight. For now, I have everything I need, and more than many people in the world.
    xx,
    mgh
    (Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
    ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
    “It takes a village to transform a world!”

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • usathroughoureyes

      It is interesting that you should note Cades Cove in TN. We are headed there in a few weeks on our next adventure and will be exploring that region. But yes the conditions they persevered through developed a character in them that I am respectful of. I enjoy living in our little travel van for a few weeks at a time but to live in it full time would be a bit much. Their cabin was tiny and to think that was their home in which they raised a family is inspiring. We are happy that this post brought gratitude to your heart. Our travels help us to see the lives of many and instills gratitude in us too. So glad having you along with us Madelyn and making the time to share.

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  11. Heide

    WOW. Your video is just *beautiful*! Thank you for this welcome escape from the day’s cares … what a pleasure it is to be able to virtually “travel” with you!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    • usathroughoureyes

      This is so nice of you to say Heide. We are happy you are along with us especially with the very emotionally challenging past two weeks you have had. When there is illness in the family everything gets turned upside down. Hopefully the scare is now behind you and there will be peace and sunshine for awhile.

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    • usathroughoureyes

      Isn’t this the truth. Sometimes we wonder about all these so called modern conveniences making life easier. They do in some respects but in so doing allows us to add more on the “due/do” list. Thanks for making the time to following along and comment Stepen.

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    • usathroughoureyes

      Amen to indoor plumbing for sure. I’ve used outhouses and there is always something unpleasant about sharing a space with a critter and a spider. Glad to have you with us.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  16. Mary Raymond

    As a realtor it amazes me that the size of just the bedrooms has become an issue for many buyers. For a family to live in a small cabin like that is amazing. I used to make my own clothes, and did many crafts. I raised a garden with many of my vegetables. Now I have people living with me who turn up their noses at fresh veggies. They like all processed foods. What a change.

    Again thank you for the time you expend to share your travels, insights, and experiences with me. I am always pleased when I see another of your posts.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
    • usathroughoureyes

      Your kind words are always encouragement for us Mary. When we were in that cabin and listening to the guide share stories about the family we couldn’t help compare then with now. Our world wants everything big… big house, big yard, big car, big career, etc. and with it big payment plans and little time for the joy of life. What a merry-go-round the world has told us we need to be on. We love fresh veggies. There is nothing like sitting in the garden with a salt shaker and picking the tomatoes or radishes or anything and wiping most of the dirt away and chowing down. Ahhhh the flavor of home grown right from the back yard and not from another country. It is so nice having you along with us and making the time to talk with us.

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  17. poeturja

    Fascinating and truly historic. It also amazes me how large families were sustained in such a small space with so little. Yet, I suspect their lack of “objects” (in some cases) made up for family love and determination to survive. Great post!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    • usathroughoureyes

      Thanks Clarissa. Yes isn’t it amazing how folks back then did it. Today we think we need the sprawling homes on a big chunk of land as if that in itself will help us accomplish our dreams. To us simple is good but it took us awhile to come to that conclusion. Back then people were perhaps more forced too. A lot to be said about their lifestyle. So glad having you along with us and making the time to share your thoughts.

      Liked by 1 person

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