As we traveled we traded and collected items that were not trade goods for the traveler!! The items were used by the locals themselves.
American Press Travel News–March 19th, Leopoldville The Congo section of my book: “Africa on a Pin & a Prayer.”
We left Kisali on the “boat” a riverboat pushing a huge barge a microcosm of African life being pushed along by a 2000 horsepower diesel engine turning a paddlewheel that splashed at the river and inexorably pushed more than 1000 souls along a river that hasn’t changed since, or before written history one iota. Congolese minister’s concubines took up most of the riverboat rooms and Gene and I got lucky enough with the help of a Belgian business man, to grab one of those rooms and we camped out there. God had mercy, we did not have to sleep on the deck with the water bugs and other slimy critters that came out on deck under cover of darkness. We settled in for a 20-day run to Leopoldville. I spent a lot of time on the barge. I visited the Cayman croc sellers, the fruit and vegetable vendors and looked over the booty and bounty of what many villagers had bagged in the jungle’s hinterlands smoked monkeys, boa constrictor snakes for food or sale to collectors, butterflies kept in between palm leaves, also for the collector. Raw latex from Goodman’s Goodyear rubber plantation on its way to be processed into gloves, tires, rubber boots, condoms. Wildly colorful songbirds and parrots, snakes, monkeys, sloths, bamboo and logs destined for trading in the capitol of the Congo, Leopoldville. Every minute was an adventure on the riverboat. Villagers whose huts hugged the river banks along the way, braved the boats wake and came out to the barge in pirogues hollowed out wood log dugout canoes, to trade fresh produce, including cut pieces of sugar cane a favorite treat for everyone aboard. All the things done in the village were being accomplished on the barge as it was pushed at about 5 mph towards Leopoldville was being done there. Clothes washing, cooking child care and even love making on the decks sometimes behind a cloth shade.
American Press Travel News-Oct. 25th, 2017-East Coast of FL. Outdoor Edge has some very fine, usable quality knives & tools for outdoor adventuring. On my return home from my farm in TN. I found a very cool item delivered to my home-office. The Para-Claw bracelet knife is a terrific and innovative product. Well thought out, I can see how always having a bracelet sharp knife at near instant reach can be and already proved its worth in potentially life threatening situations. My mantra to my family has always been having the right tool can get the job done “right” the first time around. I often explained why a sharp blade saves, and a dull knife can seriously injure. Well, having a para-cord and a very sharp claw blade as a wrist-buddy can do just that; save you!
A former bounty hunter had one of these on his wrist. When his target for a bounty tried to get his gun and fought with him, he cut the mans hand and when the man stepped back to see the damage to his hand, the bounty man cuffed and subdued him quickly and without further incident. A friend of mine name Mat Strumor went fishing by himself offshore in the Florida Keys. He trolled 4-baits and big fish took all of them, flashed across each others tracks and cause the rods lines to garot him around his throat. He didn’t have a knife at the stern and nearly passed out. He had his hand between the lines and as the fish rushed towards the boat there was just enough slack to allow him to reach his filet knife on the center-console. He cut all lines and vowed never to big-game fish alone again. Boy what he’d have given for having a Para-Claw on his wrist.! To get your Para-Claw and an entire group of QUALITY KNIVES & TOOLS FOR YOUR OUTDOOR ADVENTURER’S GO: www.OutdoorEdge.com
Restaurateur, Carver poses with a cardboard image of now deceased Popcorn Sutton, a legend now in Maggie Valley!
APtravelnews-September 19th–Maggie Valley, N.C.--You “gotta” eat, eh? Well we had a great appetite enjoying all the outdoor things to do in Maggie Valley such as hiking and identifying mushrooms, trees and plants, visiting museums such as the Shelton House in Waynesville, browsing a weekend Farmer s Market full of jellies, cheeses, veggies and crafts too! So we headed to Carver’s Maggie ValleyRestaurant. We met with owner, James Carver. The Carver Family has owned and operated the restaurant for 50-years. Did you ever watch the White Lightening TV Show about the North Carolina Moonshiners, with “Popcorn Sutton?” Well Carver knew this curmudgeonly man quite well. Actually,everyone did know this old time local character-he was a true one-of-a-kind personality, as some mountain folks are known to be when they hard-scrabble their way through life, bereft of a steady, 9-5 job– hard to find in the wild mountain regions of NC and other areas of the Smokies. Lets just say; they were as independent as one could be. Our eggs, pancakes, bacon and coffees were far above reproach. We’ll definitely go back again and again to Carvers place!
Located at 2804 Soco Road., Maggie Valley (828) 926-0425.
Great exercise walking the wild, scenic trails of the Cataloochee Hills and mountains.Hiking with a naturalist who showed us mushroom identification methods.
While hiking, gorgeous water features make themselves known loudly and clearly along the way in Haywood County!Miss Maggie visits businesses along the main Street of Maggie Valley. A continuing hostess representing This vacation paradise! She stopped in at Joey’s to welcome us and have a chat!
A day later, we enjoyed excellent pancakes and eggs (I had their special of eggs, pancakes, real, really good corned beef hash and coffee that tasted like the high priced mocha)! Barb had the same, but her meat was Country Ham. Frankly, the pancakes were fluffy and far above the average cakes we eat on our travels to and through the USA. Joeys Pancake House, 4309 Soco Road, Maggie Valley – www.joeyspancake.com (828) 926-0212
– APtravelnews-June 30th,- Knoxville, TN.-Knives; they come in so many configurations, lengths, styles and makes-craftsmen strive to be conservative, but with their own twist on their design. Case is probably the pre-eminent standard-bearer for quality and design in the world. They have been making knives for over 100-years and they came up with a name and numbering system that also helped make the knife a strong collectible for millions!
Recently, at the OWAA Conference in Knoxville, TN. I had a chance to meet up with representatives of the Case Knife Co., now owned by Zippo Lighter. Good fit! The model shown above is the Hobo Amber (one of over 100 models seen in their 2015 Fall Product Guide). The feel of this Hoboset is so comfortable and appealing in its heft, ease of use, and as not only a knife, but as a campers tool. Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, this is your knife too!
Today, when I travel, I am not completely sure who is cleaning, handling and leaving bacteria on my utensils. Now, I will carry this and use it in restaurants and anywhere I need utensils on my camping and traveling trips. Sounds strange, eh? No, not anymore. Everywhere we go we hear of issues concerning the air we breathe, the things we eat and even how important it is to take our own pillows for the beds we rent; even at the most posh hotels and motels. Take a look at WWW.WRCASE.COM and pick out your “sharp” tool! Who knows, you may even catch the happy and enjoyable collectors bug!
– APtravelnews-June 30th,- Knoxville, TN.-Knives; they come in so many configurations, lengths, styles and makes-craftsmen strive to be conservative, but with their own twist on their design. Case is probably the pre-eminent standard-bearer for quality and design in the world. They have been making knives for over 100-years and they came up with a name and numbering system that also helped make the knife a strong collectible for millions!