Wood-N-Strings

Dulcimers and More

Beckon in the Fall

September 9, 2018

 

 

 

     About this time of year, folks get itchy feet and a stirrin' in their blood! Time to ramble to parts far from home. For Tennesseans, it's often the mountains of East Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park...and for good reason! The air is cooler, cleaner, and the wood smoke rises throughout the hills.

     A favorite stop for us is Townsend, TN, along the Lamar Alexander Parkway. We naturally gravitate toward Wood-N-Strings Dulcimer Shop, where Mike and Connie Clemmer sell, play, teach, repair, and just enjoy all things dulcimer. If you've never been, you need to stop by to pick a few real mountain songs and tunes with the locals. From May through September (like right now), there is a pickin' on the Pickin' Porch on the first, third, and fifth Saturday evenings. A quick look at your calendar tells you that time is running out for those pickin's in this season. The shop is located at 7645 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, TN 37882. Their phone number is (865) 448-6647. The website is www.clemmerdulcimer.com.

     Another delightful spot for a comfortable night's lodging is Dock's Motel, just a little way further east on the Parkway and on the same side as Wood-N-Strings. There are good restaurants in the area, and of course there is UT football. Be sure to include a slow trip through Cade's Cove. Bee-keeper Kermit Caughron, from our own family tree, was the last person to live in Cade's Cove. We waited too late to meet him or his wife, for they have both passed on. We wish we had just known earlier. There are some great stories about them on YouTube. These photos will show you some of what is to love about the Smokies in the fall of the year...any year!