Kent’s not mad, Kent’s just intense!!!!  Sorry Richard, didn’t have shot of you!  Kent Irvin and Richard Siggins both out did themselves making our faithful friends event something very special!!!!  Both Kent and Richard are superb shooters as evidenced in the image below by Kent.

One of the most incredible stops for me was Crooked River, here is Kent’s wonderful evening shot of one of the two major buildingson the property.  The owners, David and Annette Templeton were fantastic hosts and along with Kent’s wife provided a incredible lunch!

Image by Kent Irvin

This is the historic info provided by David.

Crooked River is located on the North Fork of the Holston River between Hiltons and Mendota Virginia. “Mendota”, meaning bend in the river to Southwest Virginia’s first inhabitants.  More than 16 species of raptors soar down the spine of the Clinch Mountain every autumn, heading south for the winter along the Appalachian Flyway, where at the peak of migration in mid September up to 1,000 birds per day can be seen soaring past. Conveniently located between Bristol and Gate City on Virginia’s Crooked Road, The Lodge at Crooked River mixes the charm of the countryside with modern facilities and luxurious service. The Crooked Road is a 330 mile driving trail through the mountains of Southwest Virginia that connects nine major venues and over 60 affiliated venues and festivals for visitors to enjoy every day of the year. The Commonwealth of Virginia named The Crooked Road as Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. Although the Trail is focused on the uniqueness and vitality of this region’s heritage music, it also includes outdoor recreational activities, museums, crafts, and historic and cultural programs.
Crooked River Farm is a 200+ acre working farm and wedding venue in a stunning setting in Southern Virginia. The power and magnetism of the mountain and valley delight the eye and pull you in while the forest and glades make the outside world fall away. The heart of Crooked River is the circa-1823 Granary that serves as the reception location. 12 x 12 oak beams and majestic lighting create a rustic yet elegant ambiance. An 1899 renovated tobacco barn provides the bridal party a place to relax and prepare for the wedding and our luxury package includes accommodations for the wedding couple in the romantic honeymoon suite. Our full line of wedding services can be customized to create your dream wedding experience. Choose your ceremony site either down by the Seventh Shoal with the flow of the river caressing your wedding vows or over in The Grove with the tall white oaks for a backdrop.

You guys know how much I love Americana and Annette has provided a lot of incredible subjects to shoot at Crooked River!

I could share a dozen or two more great images, trust me this place is fantastic!!!!

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We also got to go back to one of  my favorite locations Memory Lane,  thanks to the kindness of  Mr. Eldridge.  his 50’s town is not open to the pubic but he let us enjoy his creation again!  Here are a few images from this trip!

This ones for you Ricky!!!!

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As if that was not enough we made a trip to Amis Mill, the first stone dam in Temmessee, here is some historic info on this great place!

Thomas Amis House – Edge of the Frontier

     Circa 1780, Capt Thomas Amis began construction on the stone home, still standing today, over 230 years later. He also constructed the gristmill and dam on Big Creek, where the mill ruins also remain. Thomas Amis Inn, as it was known then, was at the end of the Old Stage Road. Wagon wheel ruts are still visible today along the property’s boundary.

     This frontier home was built when America was a fledgling nation, 4 years after gaining her independence from the British.  The State of North Carolina awarded land to their Revolutionary War soldiers, as was the case with Captain Thomas Amis.  The land was situated in the remote western section of the State of North Carolina in hostile native territory, an area where the state could not offer protection for the settlers. In 1789, the North Carolina General Assembly passed an Act to cede the western land to the Federal government.  In 1790 U.S. Congress accepted, at the same time, establishing a territorial government named “Territory of the United States South of the River Ohio.” William Blount was appointed as the new territorial governor, and a frequent guest of Thomas Amis.

     As you can see from the depiction of the home below, it was fortified by a palisade to protect the occupants from Indian attacks. It was constructed with gun slots instead of windows in the upper level for added protection during skirmishes with the Indians.  The 18 inch thick stones were interior/exterior walls of the home and provided a barrier against the elements and outside forces.  The Indian hostilities peaked in 1782 as white settlers continued arriving over the Appalachians, squatting on their lands without first acquiring it outright.

Previous two images by Kent Irvin

The great folks at Amis Mill arranged for a group of folks to pose for us in frontier clothing, wonderful people and fun shooting, one of my images below.

Richard Siggins didn’t forget my love of cheeseburgers and introduced us to a great place, Clarks Deli & Grocery where I found another 5 pickle burger, great people and a great place!

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The Hack burger named after the original owners nickname is a real winner!  The great folks that run Clark’s are super nice folks too!!!

So wow, what a great week, wonderful friends, great fellowship and lot of shooting opportunities, can’t wait for next years event!!!!!   Thanks Kent and Richard for a terrific week!

Blessings,

the pilgrim