Ocracoke to Jonesborough

 We left the island on Wednesday on our way to Jonesborough.  We had already planned to leave on this day much before Hurricane Ian came on the scene.  We thought that, perhaps, more people would be departing, but the ferry was mostly empty and it was the last ferry of the day.

It turned out that our plan was a good one as, following our ferry, nothing ran across the Sound for the next two days and even the Hatteras Ferry shut down.  We would not have been where we needed to be had we not left early.  This is just one of the things you have to keep in mind when living in an island.

After all was over, there was just a bit of rain and wind.  Enough to disrupt travel but not enough to cause us any damage.

One of the reasons we came to Jonesborough this early before the Festival is so that I could play with the Uke Band at the Senior Citizens’ Center on Thursday.  I play with the Jonesborough Novelty Band throughout the Festival Weekend, so, this is a good warmup for the coming week.

The band, led by our friend and host, Terry Countermine, started out as a group of people learning ukulele.  It has evolved into a group of multiple instruments with people who just wanted a chance to get together and play every week.  By now they even have some performance events to which they are invited.  What a wonderful thing to have in a small community.

By being here early we also got to hear our friend, Beth Horner, tell stories at the Storytelling Center as part of the Teller In Residence program.  We love to settle in to Jonesborough and be all rested before the busy week of the Festival.  By being here early I also am invited by our friend, Allen Huff, to preach at the Jonesborough Presbyterian Church this Sunday.  

Next week…all the work and fun begins!