“Our Southern Highlanders” is often cited as showing an intimate portrait into life in the Great Smoky Mountains prior to the local’s removal for the creation of the national park. While Horace Kephart may have been a ne’er do well in his personal life, his photography and stories have helped preserve some of the traditional life prior to the arrival of electricity throughout much of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. It is a fascinating read even if he does romanticize the hardships of those around him. I hiked up Hazel Creek a couple weeks back and thought of him and his cabin. Some local spots still bear his name. Very Good, true 1913 first edition. #horacekephart #oursouthernhighlanders #kephart #gsmnp #greatsmokymountains #hazelcreek #rarebooks #firstedition #bookcollection #bookcollecting #bookcollection #bibliophile #bookporn #bookhunting #bookstagram #modernfirsts #modernfirsteditions #finebooks #signedbooks #shelfie #southernliterature #southernlit #tennessee #appalachianlit #appalachianliterature #kentucky #northcarolina #virginia #westvirginia #appalachianpoetry (at Great Smoky Mountains National Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPitEDPszB9/?utm_medium=tumblr

“It is one of the blessings of wilderness life that it shows us how few things we need to be perfectly happy.” . ~ Horace Kephart . “A full sunny day would be nice, though...” . ~ Roaddude . The long stretch of lousy weather (second image) has finally moved through; the clouds have not only parted but have disappeared; and the sky is a deep, bright, blue. . The sun and warmth feels wonderful. . Rolling through Alabama today with a Civil-War related stop or two down in Gadsden, maybe laundry and a shower, though if it stays nice out I may just keep driving and exploring and save chores and such ‘til dark. . Such is life on the road. . Should I go left or right when I pull out of here? . p.s. If you’re not familiar with the work of Horace Kephart, check him out. He was born in the early years of the US Civil War, died during the Great Depression and is perhaps most well known for his comprehensive guide Camping and Woodcraft. . He lived and worked in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, about which he wrote Our Southern Highlanders, another classic. . . #horacekephart #campingandwoodcraft #oursouthernhighlanders #leftorright #ontheroad #weatherpatterns #smokymountains #classicbooks #woodcraft #camping #nomadlife #wilderness #writing #authors #traveling #roadwarriors360 #myoutdoors #homeiswhereyouparkit #vanlife #trailerlife #goxventure #xventuring #trailerlife #offroad #offgrid #liveauthentically #getoutandexplore #exploringamerica #quotes #realvanlife #borntoroam (at Spruce Flats Falls) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq5EAsUh0a3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1tx3sr8pts41z

Kephart’s writing on Appalachian culture & life in the Smokies is good too: "The pig is the only large mammal I know of, besides man, whose eyes will not shine by reflected light - they are too bold and crafty, I wit. The razorback has a mind of his own; not instinct, but mind - whatever psychologists may say. He thinks. Anybody can see that when he is not rooting or sleeping he is studying devilment. He shows remarkable understanding of human speech, especially profane speech, and even an uncanny gift of reading men's thoughts, whenever those thoughts are directed against the peace and dignity of pigship. He bears grudges, broods over indignities, and plans redresses for the morrow or the week after. If he cannot get even with you, he will lay for your unsuspecting friend. And at the last, when arrested of his crimes and lodged in the pen, he is liable to attacks of mania from sheer helpless rage. If you camp out in the mountains, nothing will molest you but razorback hogs. Bears will flee and wildcats sneak to their dens, but the moment incense of cooking arises from your camp every pig within two miles will scent it and hasten to call. You may throw your arm out of joint: they will laugh in your face. You may curse in five languages: it is music to their titillating ears."