RECOLLECTION OF DAUGHTER KATHY

Memories of ‘The Crooked Road’ camping trip, May 2012 by Kathy Ailles (Lorne & Mary’s 4^th daughter)

In May 2012 Mom, Dad, my husband Gord & I took a 12 day road trip to Virginia, following the scenic heritage trail called ‘The Crooked Road’. It had long been a dream of Dad’s to visit the roots of Bluegrass Music, and The Crooked Road took us to these places. The Crooked Road begins in Rocky Mount, VA and ends at Breaks Interstate Park at the border to Kentucky. On this trip we visited many historical bluegrass sites – Ralph Stanley Museum (Clintwood), Carter Family Fold (birthplace of Ruth Carter Cash, Scott County, where they still hold weekly music nights), Birthplace of Country Music Museum (Bristol), Classic Records – location of the first recorded Bluegrass song (Bristol), Blue Ridge Music Center (off the Blue Ridge Pkwy.). Other highlights for Dad was Sunday Afternoon Picking at the Floyd Country Store, where bluegrass musicians gather weekly to share their love of music. They sit in a circle at the back of the store, and each in turn pick their favourite song & the others play along. Dad played ‘Mountains & Memories’, a song he wrote that was recorded by the Country Gentlemen and stayed at the top of the bluegrass charts for months. Everybody in the circle knew the song, & couldn’t believe that this almost-octogenarian from Canada had written it. Around the corner from the Floyd Country Store was the record distribution store where Dad had ordered all of his Bluegrass CD’s over the years, so of course he took a visit & told his story. Along the way we stopped at the Mabry Mill along the Blue Ridge Parkway, a beautiful old mill & historic site that we all enjoyed. We camped at Cooper’s Rock State Park near Morgantown, WV, enroute, where we were able to enjoy some hiking in the mountains. But the highlight was visiting Butcher Holler, KY, the childhood home of Loretta Lynn. We had trouble finding it, so stopped at the visitor center in the closest town to ask for directions. “Stop at the Webb Country Store. Let the store owner know you want to visit Butcher Holler. He will call Loretta’s brother Harold (or Howard?) who will meet you there to give you the tour for $5 each.” So we met Loretta’s brother, and he toured us through the four room house (“here’s the bed all us children slept in, except when we had company; then we’d sleep in the attic”, “here’s Momma’s old cook stove” … you get the drift … it was a riot!!) Of course Dad had to use Loretta’s old outhouse!! The picture of them on the swing on Loretta’s front porch is one of my favourites. We had plenty of campfires in the evening, with Dad playing his guitar & attracting fellow campers – just like when we were kids. It is a wonderful memory I will forever cherish – the last of their big road trips in the blue camper van. Anybody who loves Bluegrass Music, this would be a great trip for you. People into heavy rock, not so much!! (By the end of the trip, Gord spent a lot of time reading in the truck!!) Thanks for the memories, Mom & Dad!