May 27 – May 30, 2025 – Road Trip to Sewanee, Tennessee — With Old Friends, Dulcimers, and Angels

🚗 May 27, 2025 – Hitting the Road

We had been planning this getaway since early in the year, thinking it would be the perfect way to kick off summer with a road trip to visit two dear friends.

Life, of course, had other plans. The kitchen remodel that was supposed to start in January didn’t get going until March, and by May it still wasn’t finished. On top of that came an autoimmune flare — hives, four doctors, and no clear answers until a dermatologist finally settled on urticarial vasculitis based on biopsies. Add in my new CPAP and the voluntary separation from a job I’d had for ten years, and I thought: enough is enough — this trip is happening.

I packed my green dragon from Staunton (now named Sylvan). Dragons have always had meaning for me, but now they stand for added strength and fight. With Sylvan in tow, we left the keys with the contractor, made sure Oscar and Sprite had plenty of food and water, threw our bags and a dulcimer in the car, and hit the road.

Driving through the mountains, I felt something shift — I am not letting this stuff call the shots anymore.

We made a quick gas station stop and spotted the Lt. Dan Band Trailer, a project that helps veterans. A reminder that there’s always purpose on the road.

Next came a detour at Smokey Mountain Knife Works. We had visited twenty years ago, and though the place had changed, it reminded me that nothing ever stays the same.

By evening, we reached Sewanee, Tennessee, home of the University of the South. Our friends live right on campus. They welcomed us warmly, gave us a room where we could set up our CPAPs, and we shared dinner at a local Thai restaurant called Mali Thai Cuisine, catching up on years of stories.

🍓🎶 May 28, 2025 – Strawberries, BBQ, and a Surprise Dulcimer

We started the day leisurely with strawberries from Dennison’s Family Farm . Then we toured the campus, soaking in its history and charm.

For lunch, we couldn’t resist Whiskey Trail BBQ & Steakhouse. Fried pickles and a shared BBQ platter — pure comfort food.

In the afternoon, we visited the Beechcraft Heritage Museum . Our friend Elliott was like a kid in a candy store. Rich, Margaret, and I loved it too — and then Elliott mentioned he had found the best music gear at a local pawn shop. And that’s when I knew: there may be a dulcimer involved.

At KK Loans Music and Jewelry , Rich headed straight for the tools. Elliott and I wandered among the instruments, not finding much… until I looked down.

There it was: a McSpadden Dulcimer , a cousin to one I already owned and had brought with me, sitting quietly between two drum kits. I couldn’t resist. The shop clerk gave me a discount, I handed over my card, and just like that — another dulcimer joined the family.

On the way out, Elliot groaned to Rich, “Please don’t hate me,” but we all laughed. Sometimes the music chooses you.

🌧️ May 29, 2025 – Rain and Heritage

The day began with rain, but we didn’t let it stop us. Lunch at Potbelly’s filled us up, and then we visited the Grundy County Historical Society Heritage Center, where we learned about Margaret’s family.

That’s when I spotted an early harp and dulcimer. I knew then there would be a dulcimer involved.

The instruments belonged to Zilphia Mae Johnson Horton, a quiet but pivotal figure in civil rights through her work at Highlander School. She played music at peaceful pickets, and rumor has it she first adopted the song We Shall Overcome. Arlo Guthrie may have popularized it, but Horton’s harp and dulcimer carried its soul.

We also visited another music shop run by a delightful lady named Mary. Despite the rain, it was a day full of stories and connections.

🕊️May 30, 2025 – Heading Home

Our trip home took us through Dayton, Tennessee, where the famous Scopes Monkey Trial was held. We thought about stopping in more places but I was running out of steam. All in all, it was a wonderful trip.

One last memory: leaving through the University gates, there’s a tradition of pulling down an angel and returning it when you come back. Every time we left campus, we took an angel with us — and when we returned, we put it back.

This time, as we left for home, we carried two angels with us, hoping to return again soon.