Remember when I said I was busier than a cat covering crap on a marble floor? Well, turns out that was truer than y’all can imagine. Between traveling and getting ready to take the Where the Dogwood Blooms podcast to video, I’ve been running wide open—bouncing from one project straight into the next event.
So when the invite came to spend a weekend in Floyd, Virginia, and appear as a guest on The Appalachian Podcast back in July, I didn’t have to think twice. One day of recording and two days soaking up the mountains? Yes, please!
And even better—Brandon finally decided to tag along!
Not only did I get a rare couple of days off, but this invite was a big deal for me. I’ve been a huge fan of Billy and his ragtag crew of hillbillies for a while now. They’re the real deal—authentic, sharp, and more blackpilled than I am—so it couldn’t have been a better fit.
So how did the trip go?
I’ll be honest—I was more focused on capturing video than snapping photos, but here’s the highlight reel.
On our first day, Brandon and I explored Floyd, the sweetest little town you can imagine. We caught some street bluegrass that carried me straight back to my childhood in Canton, when old-timers would break out their banjos at the gas station.
Most of the restaurants were closed for FloydFest, but we lucked out and found DJ’s Drive-In. The place has strong ’50s vibes—and the food? Absolutely delicious.
After lunch, we drove out to Meadows of Dan and stopped by Poor Farmer’s Market. It’s got that pure Appalachian charm—fresh produce, old-timey crocks, and the best ice cream you’ll ever eat.
We wrapped up the day on the Blue Ridge Parkway, stopping by Mabry Mill—pretty as a picture—and watching deer and black bears wander by like they owned the place.
The next morning, I got up and put on my crown—literally—before we headed to The Appalachian Podcast’s historic cabin studio.
When I was welcomed with hugs and a shot of moonshine, I knew I’d found my people.
Everything about it felt easy. We recorded two episodes—one introducing Appalachian content creators, where I got to talk about Where the Dogwood Blooms and defend my title as the ultimate North Carolina gatekeeper. The second hit harder: a roundtable with Billy Bowling, digging into what it was really like being in the trenches during Hurricane Helene.
In between, I drank a little more moonshine, loved on the goats, ate incredible food, played with all the young’uns who stopped by for lunch—and fired a cannon. Yes. A real cannon.
It doesn’t get more hillbilly than that, y’all.
After all that excitement, we grabbed a pizza and headed back to our Airbnb.
The next morning, we slept in, packed up slow, and made a pit stop in Mount Airy on the way home—because honestly, what better way to wrap up a weekend in the mountains than with a stroll through Mayberry?
Trips like that remind me why I love what I do. The people, the stories, the land—they’re all part of the same tapestry that keeps the South grounded and good. And if you ever find yourself in Floyd, do yourself a favor: slow down, listen to the music, and let the hills remind you who you are.
