Castle in the Clouds

Good morning from beautiful Scenic Wolf Resort in Mars Hill, NC!  Oh my goodness this is such a beautiful place.  We spent seven hours driving yesterday,  much of it in blinding rain and fog.  Cameron slept the last 3 hours.  As we starting climbing the foggy winding road I was imagining how beautiful it must look in daylight.  The road got more and more narrow- and steep- and dark....I was getting so excited about being in the mountains.  Then Sophie and Alec started making references to horror movies, and how we definitely shouldn't stop if a man in a flannel shirt steps out of the woods and flags us down.  They were so funny.  

We finally made it up to the top and found our cabin, we are all the way at the end of the road, at the very top, last cabin on the road hanging off the edge of the mountain.  BLISS.  I think Cameron has hugged me a dozen times and said how happy he is.  When we came in last night all three of them were running around, enjoying the discovery and exploration of a four-story cabin!  We got to bed after midnight, and I was really looking forward to waking up and seeing the amazing view from the incredible windows.  You can see what we woke up to!  More fog.  It's supposed to clear later, though, and tomorrow is supposed to be more sunny.

For now,  we are sitting here relaxing in complete bliss,  which is truly what we all need.  We're counting our many blessings today and I'm grateful I have all my chickadees in my mountain nest!  Our options on the table are: shopping for me and Soph in Asheville, golf for Dale,  Fun Depot for the boys.....so much to do.  Tomorrow- maybe some more golf, ziplining for the big kids, museums for me and Cam.  We'll see.  The great thing about being on holiday- we'll just go with the flow.  For now, we are content to sit in our castle in the clouds and have a lazy morning in Black Bear Lodge.

More later.  xxx

Christo and Jeanne Claude

Christo and Jeanne Claude's website

I first saw Christo in Paris when he and Jeanne Claude covered the Pont Neuf in Paris. (History lesson: Pont Neuf means "New Bridge" in French. It is actually the oldest bridge in Paris, dating to the sixteenth century. Henry IV inaugurated the bridge in 1607. It was the first bridge not to have buildings on it, as was the custom, to allow a unobstructed view of the Louvre!)

In 1984 I was a student in Paris when the Pont Neuf was transformed. I was mesmerized with how the interactions of people and the bridge changed- instead of just driving across, or walking across, people were noticing the surface on which they walked, really paying attention. I walked across the bridge, and watched the divers attaching the long cords to tie the canvas material to the bridge. I walked to the press office and 'obtained' a press pass and then as I walked out I ran straight into Christo's chest! I got his autograph, and was so happy. Unfortunately, I lost it some time later in one of my many moves. So I was determined to see him again when I found out he was coming to Asheville, NC!

I brought my poster of the Pont Neuf and they both signed it for me! Below is a picture of them signing my poster. Look on their website for information about their proposed project in Colorado.

Christo and Jeanne Claude in February 2009 talking about some of the requirements they looked for when selecting a locale for their upcoming project "The River."

Jeanne Claude responds to an audience question that asked which was their favorite project!

Lots of Good News!

Asheville sights....


Haven't posted in a while. I have been renovating my classroom thanks to a visit to Renee's art room last month- it got me very inspired!!

In early February we made the trek to Asheville again- this time to see Christo and Jeanne-Claude. I was very excited as they are two of my idols. I literally ran into Christo in 1985 when I was living in Paris. I got his autograph, and then lost it when I moved to the US. When I heard they would be in Asheville in February, I immediately logged on to Ticketmaster!

I got another autograph and was able to talk to them for a minute and shake hands. I loved their talk. I will post some of their great quotes here soon.

Lots of good art things going on in the next few months. We leave for Paris in 40 days! The art exhibit is March 28 at the Rec, and March 23 I will be in Raleigh with Justin M, celebrating his painting that is hanging at the House of Representatives! He also got an Honorable Mention at the Council for the Arts exhibit. Congratulations Justin!

On the Road to Asheville

Renee and I left J'ville this morning and drove WEST. The colors are amazing! I have some pictures for you....the drive is indescribable. I would move out here tomorrow if I could. Got to the hotel and got registered and picked up my conference materials. I am taking a Journals workshop tomorrow and a Tile Decorating and Firing class. That one will come in handy with Sculpture and Ceramics next semester. I am about to go and do some pages in my journal- will share tomorrow.