Another Spring in the Smokies

I hope you’re enjoying the warmer days along with the showers and flowers of the season. Spring is always right on time to wake you up out of the dark gray hibernation of winter with more color and sunshine to recharge your batteries.

 

The understory is filled out here in central Ohio, and the trees are close behind, giving familiar hikes a new look and feel. I’ve seen a fair amount of birds passing through on their way north this year too. Another welcome sign of long hot days to come.

Muletown was great as always. I believe it grows a little bigger each year. Pete and the crew at Briarworks in Columbia, Tennessee put on a heck of a show. Thanks to everyone who stopped by my table to say hi. It’s great to see familiar faces and to catch up. One of those faces belonged to Richard from the Gatlinburlier. He reminded me that last May I said I would bring more pipes to sell in their establishment. Has it been a year already?

 

So, I get the opportunity to head south again at the first of May to see my friends at the Gatlinburlier! Love that place and the fellas that keep it. I’ll be delivering a new batch of pipes from the Gatlinbriar series. If you find yourself in Gatlinburg in the coming weeks, make sure to stop in and say hello and check out the fantastic pipes and tobacco that they have there. It’s a great place to enjoy a smoke, stimulating conversation, and the ambiance of a good old fashioned pipe shop.

While I’m down in that latitude, I’m going to head over the hill and see my old friend Tom in Black Mountain. The weather looks like it might be soggy, but we have a good time rain or shine. He tells me Pisgah Brewing has finished their new taproom. I can’t wait to take it for a spin!
 
Not long after I return home, Laura and I are taking a nice long drive to beach comb both coasts of Florida, camping along the way. It’s something we’ve wanted to try for a while. Life has slowed down enough to afford us the time, and it’s become more attractive to throw a bunch of gear in the back of a vehicle and head to camp rather than packing it in on your back. I need to keep an honest to God backpack trip in the rotation, although my pack is getting smaller, and I’m becoming pretty choosy when it comes to how much weight I put in!

I wish I had more pipes to offer this go around, but as I said, I need to get a bunch to the ‘Burlier. But in honor of my upcoming trip, I’ve added a couple to the Black Mountain Collection to post here on the site.

I held out my favorite, (I love the shape, long line, and little bowl) for Montreat, and the one with the most interesting shape named for the roughest hike around, the Black Mountain Crest Trail. It’s wild with a natural finish and all its inclusions. If they sell by by the end of the week, they’ll fund my gas tank. If they’re still hanging around come Friday, I’ll pack them up for Gatlinburg. 

So here’s to Spring! As I said at the top, I hope you and yours are having a great season of renewal. Get out and soak it up if you can. I’ll be in touch sometime in June. Till then, be good.

Sincerely,
 
Dan