My time in West Jefferson, North Carolina, was amazing. I stayed a the
Buffalo Tavern Bed and Breakfast (c. 1872) just a short drive from downtown. While it was only 3.5 miles off the main road, the winding road made it seem much further and added to the feeling of adventure. I won't forget my first night and watching the fog roll in a I drove to the place. I met some great people unrelated to the On the Same Page Literary Festival, too, which made the stay even more meaningful. Doc Adams, the owner, was a great storyteller. He left on a cruise so I only got to spend one morning with him. What a hoot!
I stayed in the "Madam's Room" named because the widowed woman of the house needed lots of
firewood (I forget how many fireplaces there are but it's a lot!) and "took care" of the men who gave it to her. The room is also haunted, but Flora, the ghost, didn't seem to mind my presence so I did not get to meet her. The room is on the second floor and I enjoyed a cup of tea on the second floor porch in the evening before turning in for the evening.
If you are ever in the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains and near West Jefferson, I highly recommend you book a stay. You won't be disappointed.
While I didn't quite get everyone who was at my lecture, I did get most of them. Those standing in the back left pretty quickly and I'm assuming they had jobs to do. Since my lecture occurred at the quilt show location and during the quilt show a lot of member could not attend so I was pleased with the turn out. The festival organizers must be happy too because they sold out of my book and left people wanting! I often free shipping.
