Les and I were talking today about a place we ride our horses to in the early spring. Mainly because of the cut over timber land that surrounds most of it now. Several years ago it was all 100 year old timber at least. We could ride to it anytime… But that set me to remembering as a young girl 15 or so I would ride my horse back in this area by myself. Now it is a fairly far piece from Grandpa’s and I know he was never worried where I went and I believe he enjoyed my recap of my ride as much all most as I did the ride.Usually on Sunday after church and lunch I would set out on Ole King and cross the creek as many times as I could possibly then hit an old trail that followed a road bed (part of the “My Trail” road) and it would take me by a huge area of running cedar then on by an old unnamed grave yard with rocks for stones and no names. Then across the dirt road now known as the Jim Pierce Road , through by Oscar Hunts, Tom Hunt had not built his home there then. On across the Ross Wood Road and then to Briles Meadow Road. Then all the way to the end of that dirt road to Flake Briles’ house. (No chicken houses there then) The old road followed back down behind Flake Briles house and most of the time I would stop in there and visit a while on the porch.
I don’t remember much about Flake, I don’t think he was a large man. I remember that he repaired spinning wheels and made them as well with the cherry and walnut he cut himself off his place. He showed me some beautiful pieces. He was so interesting to talk to and could tell me all about the town that was behind his house and the Keystone Mine (an open mine on the top of the mountain) and the cobblestone road that ran from the mine to Old 64 HWY. I was so intrigued! He had worked there I believe or maybe knew folk that had for sure! But the mine played out for the mining company far as profits went and they abandoned it in the late 1920’s if I remember correctly. I remember reading about the mine in my 8th grade NC history book. That was so exciting to find it in my back yard all most!
More tomorrow!!!!
