Journey Through North Carolina – Part 22

by usathroughoureyes

Hello and welcome to part 22 of our journey through North Carolina.

While driving around Claremont, NC we became aware the state of NC was home to two covered bridges, one of which was right here in Claremont and the other was further west in Mt. Pisgah.  Well, you know from our Pennsylvania road trip covered bridges are an interest to us so we were off this find Bunker Hill covered bridge and learn more of this 1894 feat of civil engineering.

As we admired this structure we met David a local contractor and he noted being there to study the structure of the bridge. He shared that his company, Corban Homes of North Carolina , was building a home in the area and the property had a bridge on its property built about the same time as this one.  He said that to get the materials to the building site however they were going to have to widen the bridge.  The town board however wouldn’t approve their plan and insisted the existing bridge not be “modernized”.  The town’s suggestion however was bringing out of retirement a bridge builder that was the only one still alive familiar with that type bridge.  The board would then see how the changes could be made and still maintain that bridge’s original existence.  It was interesting to hear David talk as he studied the construction comparing it to modern times and how the old ways were still very much in play today.

David opened about his early beginnings working with his dad and brothers in the building trades and one thing he said that caused us to pause and reflect was an observation he had made comparing then and now.  He noted his early beginnings, twenty some years ago, how folks worked passionately alongside the contractor as their dream home was being built knowing it would house the family and all its memories for the tomorrows to follow.  He kind of lamented a bit as he said this was no longer true.  Most people today, he noted, just want the house built as fast as can be so they can move in and get on with the “business” of life.  He noted that even though this was a sad reality, he and his brothers still cling to their passion of building each home as a work of love for the new owner’s foundation for whatever dreams they choose to develop.

What a great attitude David had and he was so grounded and open about his faith in God.  We know one thing for sure and that is if we were to have a home built he would be our builder of choice. 

As we walked toward our vehicle we could not help feeling touched once again by the stories we continually hear of holding on to traditional values and working hard to be a person of character.  We know you are following us David, so know we salute you and your efforts and know others are joining us in saying be safe and keep doing great work.

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.

usathroughoureyes

~ USA Through Our Eyes ~ Stories Told Through Words, Photographs, Videos and Sound

79 thoughts on “Journey Through North Carolina – Part 22”

  3. glad yo be here on your journey – cos you all might be going through the US – but your lessons and rich experiences shared have this global commonality with bloggers around the world….

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Thank you so much for saying this. It is so nice to hear because as we progress in years and step outside of self and into truly listening to people and what they go through we can’t help but see His hand. The stories we hear on the road as we meet people truly inspire us and being able to share those stories is precious to us. So nice having you along with us to grow with.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. well said – and I also like how you mentioned this contractor’s values and love for God.
    I know some bloggers only want to write about God and they feel the need to drop “God seeds” at every chance – and maybe that was “me” back in 1992 – lol- but you guys write about God so naturally – and just let it weave into posts naturally – that is so nice

    Liked by 1 person

  7. We hear you with regard to passion seeming to be lost a bit in these days. To us passion is what fuels our lives. You have this passion and we saw it in your post on the art world. Its funny how we can feed off the passions of others to keep us going!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Pingback: Job Interview (Friday Fictioneers) – priorhouse blog

  11. well I would want him to build my house too – and this was a great thing to share – because our culture is changing – and there is a rush to just get on with life.
    and side note – i am linking this to a post I just put up (if that is okay) cos you really grabbed the essence of someone having passion in their work as well….
    xxoo

    Liked by 3 people

  15. We have been to Vermont but always on a mission to get to our destination and never took the time to embrace the beauty of the region. Reading your post Deborah made us know we need to visit there and explore more. You describe it so beautifully and it is how I recall growing up in the Adirondacks, a stones throw (if you throw real hard) to Vermont.

    Liked by 2 people

  16. I worked in Bennington, Vermont. The bridge was just on the outskirts of that little village. I don’t recall if there were more than that one in the area. There are a few around there. I just remember those gorgeous fall colors with the babbling brook beneath the bridge, quaint white farmhouses adorning the emerald fields. Such a picturesque area. I’ll be looking forward to when you visit there!

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Thank you Deborah for being along with us on our adventures. We can relate to what you felt passing on those covered bridges knowing the history of those passing over it so many years prior. Vermont is a place we hope to visit soon and we’ll have to look up where that bridge is. We too like seeing them.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. I love covered bridges! When living in Vermont, I took one to work each day. Beautiful structures…and you can somehow see and feel the love that went into each one. Rather like the houses that people once built. Most new houses today just don’t have that feel. They aren’t part of the family, just a place to reside, as David said. I love reading about your visits…and you come across some very interesting people!

    Liked by 3 people

  28. Lorrie your words so wonderfully encourage us. We are discovering how great it is to step outside of ourselves and meet and really listen to the incredible folks we meet through our travels. We truly believe we are the ones more richly blessed from having had the experience. We too hope your weekend is full of love and light. It is so nice that you make time to share with us!!

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Aww.. I really enjoyed this. The bridge is beautiful. I think these days, most people do things for the money aspect rather than for having a love and passion for it. You can tell when something is done out of love–there is a special feel to it, whatever it is–there’s a difference. Great story guys 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  33. Audrey and Tom…I just love the way you can retell a story in a way that makes me feel like I was standing right there the whole time! What a wonderful gift! And to be able to travel and make human contact with so many people…well …I would think it is a super feeling for you guys and im certain you touch every one in return! Hope your holiday weekend is full of love and light 💜

    Liked by 3 people

  35. And cute – don’t forget cute – lol.

    I’ve been looking for a post to which adding your site made sense – and this one is perfect I think.

    I also added a link within the text directly to one of my favs – your post about the piano tuner and the trains. There’s also a link to Audrey’s wonderful photo site within the text itself. I hope folks WILL jump over to check out one of the three. They’ll become followers if they do, I have no doubt.
    xx,
    mgh

    Liked by 1 person

  38. He was such a good young man and yes one that you’d be proud to bring home to meet the family.
    This is so neat that you’ll be noting about our blog on one of your post. This to us is a wonderful honor. Thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

  43. Another interesting find – and the contractor is just the kind of guy I’d hoped to meet in my younger days: cute, with high standards (and practical skills, lol) 🙂

    Be sure to check in next Friday (9/8) – I’ve featured your blog at the end of an article on avoiding stereotypying. It’s linked to the blogroll of your adventures, so I doubt you’ll get a pingback.

    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 1 person

  45. Very interesting. And David sounds like a very good builder to choose. Not many like him and I wonder if that is in part because of the economics of scale. Near where we live there are more and more subdivisions being thrown up. Hundreds of houses. There cannot be much connection between the house created and the builder. Thanks for this post it is nice to read this is still existing.

    Liked by 2 people

  46. In some ways I envy the younger people growing up with internet…all that wonderful knowledge just a google away. But there is the other side of it, as you say, the ignoring of our surroundings and people sitting across from us. Balance, the secret of life! (well, one of them 😀 )

    Liked by 1 person

  50. Amen to this. Remember those days of everyone sitting out on the stoop! Today we don’t see that. Everyone is too busy playing their Gameboy with ear buds in, listening to something they call music and forgetting to look up at the beauty of what,s around them. Slays us when we see young couples out for dinner and neither is talking to the other but they are tapping those keys to stay tuned to their social media accounts.

    Liked by 1 person

  55. People used to take pride in the things they built. Like it was an extension of them. Now it seems like everything is just assembly line cheap and fast. I would certainly rather have something that was made with time and care.
    I’ve never seen a covered bridge. I’ve traveled all over the Western States. Maybe one day I’ll make to the east. Meanwhile I’ll just share your adventures.💌

    Liked by 3 people

  60. Yep! Me too. The media have totally lost touch with reality. Or they’re trying to socially engineer us, keeping people divided and conquered. But I’m getting all theorist now lol. But I reckon I’m not totally alone in my thinking, either lol. Maybe one day the media (or some of the people) will wake up. Y’all are writing the real deal 👍🏼👍🏼💖

    Liked by 2 people

  71. We’re doing good. We are getting out there and seeing these great United States and learning to listen more deeply to folks and about their lives. So many stories of good folks wanting to do good in a world that often doesn’t encourage it.

    Liked by 1 person

  73. Thanks Clarissa. Yes, wasn’t that interesting for him to say. It made us reflect a bit of days past and the truth behind his observations. One can only wonder if happiness really exist in those huge homes with no activity happening out on the lawns.

    Liked by 1 person

  75. Hi! It’s always wonderful to chat with you too! 😁. Yeah, I’m doing bit better 👍🏼. It ebbs and flows, but pretty good at the moment 💖. Our area has gone totally batty lol; we’ve got a logistics-based gasoline shortage, so everybody’s freaking out and hoarding and whatnot. Faith in humanity restored to its default lower position lol. But the weather is beautiful, and we’re safe and dry, and all the basics are met, so we’re sitting pretty good 💗💗☮💗💗

    Liked by 2 people

  77. An important observation about people once wanting to be part of the creation of their home but now, just wanting it built quickly in order to get on with “life.” Nice post!

    Liked by 2 people

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