To get a map: Sandhills Area Land Trust 140 A S.W. Broad Street Southern Pines Phone: (910) 695-4323 or The Pilot Offices 145 W. Pennsylvania Ave. Southern Pines
It seemed like all human history was contained in the room. “People come in here and just hang out with the pots,” Pam told us. “It’s a learning experience for them and it’s an inspiration for us.” The Owenses still dig their clay locally. Bobby Owens was mixing clay when we met him. “It’s been fifty-six years,” he said with a smile. He also mixes all the glazes. “I don’t mind the dirty work at all.” “It’s a family thing,” he added. “This is a one-of-a-kind place.” Travis showed us the groundhog kilns, so called because they are built into the earth. “They look pretty much like they did when the pottery was started,” he said. Then he stepped back to allow us to walk into Vernon’s workshop. There, a study in infinite patience and craftsmanship, Vernon was working. We were transfixed. “There’s no good way to learn to make pottery except to work in it,” said Travis, showing us his workshop, which adjoins his father’s. Travis’s vocation to work in pottery was clear. “It was a family thing for me and I wanted to keep it that way because I thought it was pretty special.” “That was so special,” Laura echoed Travis’s words as we settled into the car. “We are so lucky. I feel so honored that I just photographed Vernon at work.” We left behind clay country and stopped by the peach orchards, with a small detour to Ben’s Ice Cream for Sandhills-style refreshment. Sometime later Laura and I drove back down Highway 24/27, the same road that we had traveled at the beginning of our adventures on the SALT Scenic Byways. We passed Maness Pottery and Music Barn, the lost town of Parkwood and noted the creeks that have so shaped the history of the area. “When was that?” asked Laura of our first journey. “April,” I replied. “Well, there goes a season.” We crossed McClendon’s Creek. “I’m glad we did this,” I mused. “I am too. It makes me feel more connected to where we live,” said Laura. “It’s a good lesson, wherever we are, to find out where we live.” PS PineStraw : The Art & Soul of the Sandhills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 2015
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