He wants me to start this post with mention of banjo music. Just to set the right mood. Back in October we look a week off and headed down to Winston Salem NC to visit my sister, Patty and her husband Doug. Extra bonus was a visit from our sister Mary who drove in from Springfield, MO. The three of us had a wonderful time together.
I had told Ron up front that he and Doug were on their own for this trip. And he did a lot of research to find places they could go. Diners made up the majority of his list. He checked out Yelp for recommendations and made himself a list. I didn’t even bother trying to put a $$ limit on his spending. When it comes to food, with Ron and Doug, there are no limits. The boys like their food.
Ron also had plans to get himself some more ginseng. During his more recent rounds on Youtube, he had discovered a forest farming guru named Robert Eidus. He is the owner of The Eagle Feather Organic Farm located in Marshall, NC. And his home/business is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains bordering the Pisgah National Forest. In boonies to be sure. And about 3 hours from Winston-Salem. Something Ron had not included in his calculations, but he is never one to shy from a challenge. And would never cancel on such a flimsy reason.
To make it worth their while, Yelp was pulled into play again and he found barbecue heaven in Asheville at the Bonfire Barbecue. Their menu listed a ghost pepper sauce too. Doug didn’t even try to talk Ron out of it. He was quite simply, all in.
As we heard the story later, they exited the main highway and all they could see was mountains, trees, and ever narrowing roads. They were driving Ron’s bright red, stand out Transit with orange New York State license plates. How the local peace officers never pulled them over is still a mystery to Ron. Maybe the locals thought they were another version of the pickers from the TV show.
Official directions were:
Turn left at the traffic light, at Lower Brush Creek Road (Gas Station on right). Go one mile to a Stop sign make left onto Sharp Hollow Road. Go approximately one mile to a Stop sign (Barnard Road) and make a left. Follow the winding road over one mile to the French Broad River.
Cross the bridge and turn left, onto Anderson Branch Road. Drive 1.4 miles and then make a left onto gravel road at Indigo Bunting Lane (there will be a lot of mailboxes on the left). Drive up the one-lane gravel road 3/10 of a mile, around a field on your left, and turn right into our driveway. There is no sign. Look for a trailer and farm gate on the left. There are cross ditches along the gravel road so please drive very slowly.
Sure.
Narrow roads turned to gravel, gravel turned to dirt. Even a goat would not attempt to make it up to Eagle Feather Organic Farm. No pictures to share with you as, once again Ron didn’t listen to me and had no camera.
At the top of one hill, there was one sign, a plastic tote lid with directions in magic marker, stating, you’re almost there. With a pack of wild dogs in tow, Doug and Ron edged their way up the “road” and finally to the farm. A goat would have been winded by this jaunt.. Did we mention the Transit doesn’t have 4 wheel drive?
Finally there, and of course, no one is to be found. Tried calling, but of course no cell service for either phone.
Gentle knocking on the door, nothing. Standing around, feeling stupid (he did call ahead for appointment) unwilling to give up, they pounded louder. Some form of life began to stir.
Robert was a very gracious host, full of knowledge and a very eager salesman.
He explained the workshops and tours he offers that further teach and address the natural ways of growing such beneficial herbs as Ginseng, Goldenseal, Black Cohosh, Gotu Kola, and Echinacea, while maintaining a sustainable environment. As the plants are grown in their own habitat, the use of tractors and many other such cash crop farming methods are not necessary.
Doug, sat there listening, polite as always. A true Southern gentleman. Ron, like a deer caught in headlights, nodded in agreement.
Loaded with ginseng seeds and goldenseal roots for planting stock, Ron was in his element.
Reading his mark, Robert further explained for growing ginseng in wooded areas you will need to make a soil amendment that provides a ratio of 75% composted pine bark mulch, and 25% composted bacteria (which can be horse, chicken, turkey manure, veggie compost or worm castings). Convinced, Ron pulled out more cash. I have one word for him – Sucker.
On the way back, barbecue was on the menu. One of the best stops EVER!!!
A few months later the 3 of us were out at THF planting the ginseng seeds in their new location. Mixing the compost and soil to the right consistency, filling the wood frames (reused from last year), scattering seed and tamping it down. Then covering with leaves.
Ron got his hands on a few window screens that we used for extra protection. We have lots of squirrels at THF. A few of our rocks to hold them down, and we were done for the say.
See the brass bed frame in background? That is the start of Ron’s whimsy additions. We brought that back with us from Winston-Salem. A find, courtesy of Doug.
On our way home, we stopped to cut down our Christmas tree. We always go in the Transit so we can fit the tree in. But as it only has two seats, Jo ends up in back with the tree. Ron tends to forget that she is back there and will take a turn a bit faster than he should.
All part of the adventure of living with Ron.