Granddaddy Bob Ledford moved a family to Franklin, NC one November in 1920. He drove his wagon over the rugged Blue Ridge Mountains though the wilderness. There were no paved roads back then.
Thanksgiving was coming and Granddaddy figured he would get home in time to eat Grandma Minnie's pumpkin pie. The weather had been mild, and he did not anticipate any problems. It took days to drive to Franklin, but he made it fine to the little mountain town.
As he headed back to Clay County, NC, Granddaddy noticed angry clouds churning above Chunky Gal Mountain. The wind whipped his face like a razorblade. Snowflakes twirled like feathers to the ground. When he came to Buck Creek, Granddaddy could not ford it because the water was frozen. He had to drive the team on ice.
Moment by moment the temperature dropped. Granddaddy stopped in the woods to build a fire. He was going to spend the night there, but couldn't sleep on the cold ground. He gave up and moved on.
Granddaddy came to Rainbow Springs and saw a dim light flickering in the distance. He happened on a log cabin. He explained his circumstances to the mountain couple who opened the door and invited him to stay overnight with them.
After a hardy breakfast, Granddaddy headed home. As he drove the team of horses through the snow, Granddaddy shot a wild turkey. It graced the table as he and his family celebrated a Blue Ridge Thanksgiving.
Bob Ledford thanked the Lord for the mountain couple who saved his life during the Appalachian snowstorm.
I wish my blogger friends a very Happy Thanksgiving and blessed November.
