Breaks Park and Road Kill

Road Kill Kafa

Click on pic to see the album


Wednesday night we (The A’s & B’s) were sitting outside enjoying the evening when we heard the people camping next to us singing Happy Birthday to one of their fellow campers. The singing was accompanied by the pleasing sound of a guitar. To our pleasure the player continued to play a few numbers. The music stopped and a couple of men from the group started walking down the road – as they approached our campsite they said they were looking for more people with musical instruments. I volunteered that the A’s had a dulcimer. Sue quickly said they were just learning to play and wanted to know if anyone from his group played one. The man said I think so – bring it and your chairs on over. Sue went to get their dulcimer and we all wandered over to the neighbor’s camp. It started off with a group of eight. Then there were twelve, then fourteen, pretty soon there were eighteen people. It was interesting to see how the music drew in the crowd. There were players, singers and listeners. The original player (a man in his late 50’s) who’s name was Bob, had an impressive guitar. It was a Resonator by National. Boy could he pick and sing too. He played several songs. Another couple that came said they only sang – so they sang a few gospel songs as he played background. Later another man strolled in with his dog and asked Bob if he knew a certain song. He said “No, but start singing and I’ll try to figure it out.” Sure enough, after he sang a verse Bob was accompanying him. Bob’s wife, Naomi, sang a Patsy Cline song, “Crazy” (I think that’s the name). She sang well, and then she sang a song that she wrote the lyrics to and he wrote the music. Just as it got dark another couple showed up with their guitars. It was an enjoyable evening.

On our way here we spotted a restaurant called “Road Kill Kafa”. We knew we would be back! Thursday we decided to try it out for lunch. (See pics) The owner, April, was the host, waitress and cook for the day. She told us her Mama was out sick. The menu was painted on the wall and bar area. Later April told us she had menus printed but everyone kept taking them for souvenirs. John and I tried the Road Kill Burger – It was a burger (made from the latest kill, just kidding) with cole slaw, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, chili and barbeque sauce. All this was piled high on a bun. Believe it or not, it was a very good combination. The place was not busy, so April took time out to visit with us. She said this was her second restaurant and that she served a lot of the local coal miners. She smiled and said she had a friend that would call her and tease her – Asking, “What’s the road kill for the day?” She said she was going to get him back. He called one day, she said, from his office to order lunch for his staff. She took the order. She said she won one of those stuffed animals from a machine (a pig) and decided that would be just what she needed to get him back! “I took that pig” she continued in her sweet VA accent, “outside and put him under my tire and ran back and forth and back and forth over him. He looked pretty rough. Then I stuck him between two pieces of bread and added lettuce, tomato and barbeque sauce. Then I wrapped the sandwich and put it in with the rest of the order.” She said his staff had a really good laugh and poked fun at him for a long time. So she finally got him back!

Friday night we saw Bob and Naomi outside their motor home. Sue and I went over and asked if they would like an audience. They said sure! So we went over and met friends of theirs, Harold and his wife Patsy. There were only eight of us so it gave us a chance to visit and get to know each other. Bob played and then we would visit. They were from NC and gave us some inside scoops on places to visit. Bob knew a lot of local history and folklore of the area.

Saturday night the park is having bluegrass music at the amphi-theater. Featuring: The Bluegrass Travelers and Green River Grass - keep you posted!