day trippin’
article and photography By Lou Mintzer
Take a
Ride on the
Wild Side How far do you have to go back in time to see real cowboys? Where can you hitch your favorite nag to a real hitching post and walk down the wooden sidewalk to the general store?
How far do you need to go to find the Cowboy Capital of North Carolina? Not as far as you think. When’s the last time you saw an old timey rodeo, complete with cowboys, bucking broncos, angry steers and rodeo clowns without commercials? When’s the last time you bellied up to the bar in an old saloon and ordered a cold beer (or a wine cooler?) And have you ever ridden off into the rising or setting sun on a horse named Trigger, Fury or Flicka? Wellll…you just haven’t lived, have you? It’s time to go to Love Valley, just a few miles northwest of Statesville. The town is located in the foothills of the Little Brushy Mountains. Love Valley is a very unique town built in Iredell County over 50 years ago by Andy Barker, a Charlotte contractor and his family. Small old west towns from cowboy movies served as the model for Barker’s vision. Dirt streets, uneven wooden sidewalks, unpainted buildings and lots of hitchin’ posts are the rule. No cars or trucks are allowed in town. Horseback, wagons and carts are the transportation. The Presbyterian Church was the very first building and the second project was the arena. There are over 100 residents now up from 31 in the year 2000. Back in the 60s and 70s, Love Valley was a site for rock concerts and got quite a reputation for the one in 1970. The Allman Brothers were the headliners and over 100,000 people showed up, many more than ever expected. We found Love Valley about 20 years ago and always enjoy taking our Yankee friends, relatives and new neighbors to see the most unusual town in North Carolina. We usually try to be in town during major holiday weekends to eat at the saloon and go to the rodeo. The main season is Easter to Halloween! You’ve never seen a costume party like one of these. There is always something
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The Baby Boomer NEWS AUGUST 2010
happening in Love Valley. Concerts, Chili Cook-offs, charity rides and events. Horseback weddings are not unusual. In fact a couple from Cherokee, N.C. was tying the knot on Saturday night. If you get hungry you can get some grub at three places on Main Street; the Silver Spur Saloon, Jack’s Place and the General Store and Cafe. The saloon and Jack’s Place serve your favorite alcoholic beverages. If you would like to stay for a day or two you might rent a room at Miss Kitty’s, a cabin in Blacksmith Cove or a camp site at the Love Valley Campground, the Diamond “S” Campground. Bring your horses or rent a couple by the hour from the Rental Barn. Miss Kitty’s B and B has a swimming pool, a Jacuzzi and your horse can have its own stall right next door. You can even bunk with your horse if you don’t want to sleep alone. Other assorted shops are located on Main Street. Pick up a Love Valley T-shirt, a new saddle, spurs for your cowboy boots or new shoes for your horse. The miles of riding trails are on private property and are leased and maintained by the Horseman Association. Pack it in and pack it out, don’t leave any signs except hoof prints. We love the rodeos. There are professional and Junior SRA events. Each event is a piece of Americana. American flags are everywhere. Sing the National Anthem, salute the flag and say a little prayer, feel proud to be an American and enjoy part of our history. It’s fun to watch the little kids wearing their cowboy hats, boots and big belt buckles as they ride bucking sheep. The teenagers are impressive as they ride broncos and rope steers. Over the years, presidents, Indian chiefs, actors, governors, generals and musicians have visited Love Valley. It’s time for you to take the kids, grandkids and grandma to visit Love Valley! The “people watching” is really great! Make sure you take your camera. By the way if you wear your golf shirt, Bermuda shorts and your loafers w/o socks you will be over dressed and everyone will know you are a tourist and who knows what you may step in.