“If the boulders are moved,
Even a river will change its flow.” ~Deng Ming Dao
We had a photographer meet up and fun walk along the Eno River, NC last weekend. A beautiful day with unusually cool temperatures, inspiring, creative people and no snakes (It’s copperhead season here in the south, yikes)!
Lots of lush green along the river trail thanks to higher than usual rainfall.
I’ve been such a slacker keeping up with my blog. This one has sat in my drafts for a month! Yikes.
So, anyway, my photografriend Sharon, her beautiful daughter, and I took a trip a couple of hours west to check out the Henry River Mill Village near Hickory, NC. There are so many reasons to love this place. If not for the movie buff in you, the history of the mill village is pretty interesting not to mention it’s a treasure trove of exploration for lovers of the abandoned. The opening scenes of The (first) Hunger Games movie was filmed here serving as the set for District 12, the home of Katniss and Peta. I knew a lot of the movie had been filmed in North Carolina – the Asheville area specifically – but I had no idea this place even existed until I came across some photos online. Once I saw those first pictures, being a lover of the abandoned and all things historical, I knew I had to go. It was a cool bonus that it was used for the movie, which I loved.
It was a rainy, dreary day but it added to the atmosphere. Sharon’s daughter was a champ, braving the wet weather and our crazy whims, and a perfect mini Katniss for us.
Many of the houses, though dilapidated, stand with doors open begging for cautious exploration. I barely covered half of the village and didn’t even get down to the mill building and river. We thought it was safer not to with the mini Katniss in tow.
I can’t wait to go back to explore the rest! Here are a few of my favorite shots from the day (there are so many more I love!) I hope you enjoy.
Tell me about the cool places you’ve discovered in the comments, I’d love to hear about them!
I’ll be back sooner than this last round of unintended neglect. See ya!
Whether or not you’re a fan or have ever seen The Andy Griffith Show, you’ve probably heard of Mayberry, the fictitious North Carolina town in which the show is set. It is believed that the inspiration for the series and it’s many colorful characters was the birth place and home town of Andy Griffith, Mount Airy, NC.
I’ve lived in North Carolina for more than half my life and I’ve never been there even though I live just 2 hours away. Recently I was in Winston-Salem and decided I’d make the half hour trip north to Mount Airy to check it out. Mount Airy is a quaint little town with a population of about 10,000 where they fully embrace the idea of Mayberry and the fame of their favorite home town celebrity Andy Griffith.
It’s a quaint sleepy, friendly town reminiscent of days past. Shops and diners like The Snappy Lunch and Barney’s ice cream parlor on Main Street bring the fictitious town of Mayberry to life. Beautiful architecture and huge trees line residential streets. Among other attractions there is an Andy Griffith museum and a bronze statue of Andy & Opie in the middle of town.
Down the road from the historic center of town is a re-creation of the the sheriffs office, Emmet’s Fix-it Shop, and Wally’s Service where you can buy a tour around town in the ’60’s police cruiser complete with sirens. It’s a bit “touristy” but I did find it fun to explore.
The highlight of my visit was meeting Russell Hiatt and his son, Bill. Russell, now 91, has owned and run the City Barber Shop on Main Street since 1946. It’s believed he was the inspiration for the character of Floyd the Barber. While Mr. Hiatt still goes to the shop daily he stopped giving haircuts and trims about a year ago due to failing health. Stereotypical Southern women and gentlemen stop by to say hello, and with a smooth southern drawl share their stories, and reminisce about growing up with Andy.
Among some of the other historic attractions in town is the Earle Theater built in 1938.
It’s curious to me that people from all over the world stop through to visit Mount Airy and Mayberry. Perhaps it’s nostalgia for a simpler time or just the chance to slow down and sit a spell.
I have passed by this old house on my drive to the lake for several years always wanting to stop but never have until now. The sunrise light was perfect and the timing right. Sitting empty but cared for, it stands perhaps as a monument to it’s past. it shares the property with a more modern lived in home.
7 frame panorama.
Denise Worden Photography 