"Year of the Horse" Exhibited at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede As part of our special relationship with Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, we agreed to exhibit the life-size Painted Pony “Year of the Horse” at their Pigeon Forge. Tennessee location. The artist who created this fabulous Painted Pony, Lori Musil, was willing to personally deliver the Pony, so we asked her to keep a journal of her cross-country drive. Everyone is invited to visit Dixie Stampede, and while you are enjoying yourself, to convey your greetings to “Year of the Horse.”

"Year of the Horse"

Dixie Stampede or Bust In the two weeks that followed the invitation to bring my life-size Painted Pony, “Year of the Horse,” to Pigeon Forge, TN where it was to be exhibited at Dolly Parton’s famous Dixie Stampede dinner theater, I spent hours on Facebook and Mapquest planning the trip.  I sent out an SOS for shelter and accommodations along the I-40 corridor to Painted Pony fans online.  Many responded and wished they were closer to our planned route.  Several were only a few miles from where we were traveling, so we arranged to hook up with them. It took three people to load the 300 pound, 6 foot tall by 8 foot long Painted Pony sculpture (that was a featured part of the original Trail of Painted Ponies public art project) onto the bed of my pickup truck. Two 2-1/2” tie-down straps with homemade faux fur sleeves on them were then wrapped around the horse’s back and belly to hold her down safely to the truck bed.

Artist Lori Musil and Scarlet, a collector from Maryville, TN, with "Year of the Horse."

Mon. April 26, 2010, 9:45 a.m.  We spent part of the morning watching the weather and deciding whether to begin or delay the journey.   It was 35 degrees outside - strange weather for spring in NM – and worse was forecast ahead: tornados, high winds and hail storms. Then the skies cleared and with my good friend Kimberley riding shotgun, and “Year of the Horse” filling the rear view mirror, we were off, high tailing it down the I-40 corridor.

"Year of the Horse" at the American Quarter Horse Museum

Our first stop was in Amarillo, Texas, at the Quarter Horse Museum for a photo opportunity with YOTH’s cousins.   Bronze sculptures populate the grounds and YOTH enjoyed a moment with a few of the famous. After a late lunch at Cracker Barrel, where we smiled at the Painted Pony figurines on the shelves, we were back on the road again.  A gas stop along the highway prompted a conversation with a man who said he was looking for a horse leg to use for horseshoeing demonstrations, and eyed YOTH as if she had possibilities…. It was 10p.m. by the time we exited on the road to Norman, OK.  The shadows were deep and it was hard to see the driveways, so we overshot Jan and Dwayne’s place and ended up calling them on the cell phone for another set of directions.  Jan and Dwayne came out to greet us, and after introducing them to YOTH we went inside and met “the Davis Collection.” Dwayne is an artist in his own right, and his personal artwork was tastefully integrated with a complete set of Painted Pony figurines, along with paintings and prints by different Trail of Painted Ponies artists.

After a midnight spaghetti dinner and a cup of hot tea for a night cap, it was time to call it a day and retire to the guest house.

Morning came early and after a round of photos and adieus it was back on the road again. The storm that followed us yesterday was brewing up a cold wind, but the sky was crystal blue. An uneventful drive landed us in Nashville for dinner at yet another Cracker Barrel.  (Those places seem to be about everywhere along I-40.   Conveniently set up so you can watch your vehicle…and horse….while eating, I might add.)

Continued our journey until almost midnight and stopped at our hotel in Alcoa (yes, the town where aluminum foil was founded) first to get most of our stuff out of the truck.   A late night call to Scarlet to let her know we are about a half hour away and we're off through the soupy fog to her house on the hilltop.  We enjoyed cookies and refreshment before putting YOTH to bed in her driveway.  She then graciously drives us back to the hotel in the haze of a true Tennessee Smoky Mountain fog.  

Running a bit late this a.m.!!!  Forgot about the time change!  Must be travel “founder”. Met with Miss Scarlet for breakfast at the local Waffle House. Talked Ponies for 2 hours over pancakes and it was so enjoyable it was hard to leave this wonderful ladies’ company, but we must journey on for the big delivery. Another stop for gas and a cup of “tea to go” in the little village of Townsend.    The next 11 miles were on a narrow winding road along Wears Valley.   Set your clocks back 100 years and see the beauty of the back roads sometime…it is a wonderful journey! We go in and out of cloud cover all the way. Coming into the city of Pigeon Forge is quite a sight!   It is like a children’s version of Las Vegas.  Everything to entertain a family!!!!  From upside down houses that portend magic shows of every kind to a laser tag building that resembles something out of Star Wars.   There’s an amusement park with roller coaster rides and go cart tracks.  Flowers line the roads and the sound of a river running nearby makes this place look like what I would call “heaven.”  Dolly was right.

"Year of the Horse" at Sonic

The Dixie Stampede occupies a large, inviting building.   With white trimmed windows and a wonderful stable along 2 sides, it houses an enormous indoor arena,  a “family friendly bar” and a great gift shop.  The walls are dotted with displays of a collection of stick horses donated by a fan of Dolly’s.

"Year of the Horse" arrives at Dixie Stampede

In front, we were greeted by a delightful staff of people who welcomed us to their beloved establishment.  YOTH unloaded and tucked away neatly in a “cage” area used for their gift shop overstock, Kimberley and I are treated to a backstage tour of the Dixie Stampede.   A long hallway is lined with racks of costumes of every kind.    The smell of horses and dirt fills the air.  Ahhhhh, I miss my horses.   Our host took us through the bar area where they served sodas and non-alcoholic drinks along with some snacks before the show.   Then into the main arena/dining hall where we would be seeing the show this evening.    A painting of a “Gone With The Wind” Tara-ish architectural backdrop took up one end of the arena.  Two magnificently painted trees on either side framed the Southern scene.  Next stop?  The gift shop and some shop talk with the manager and staff.  Then off for a little appetizer and refreshments down the street.  While the weather held, we decided to dine in the patio at the Pottery Café.  The French onion soup, iced tea and pimento sandwiches hit the spot.   Two hours to go before showtime…now for a little shopping Dollywood style before the show.

Everything from leather shops to glass blowing and quilts abound.  No one’s tastes would go unheeded in Pigeon Forge.

The Dixie Stampede show likens itself to some of the horse show entertainment that is popular now.  A little bit rodeo and Las Vegas show put together.  Dancing, singing, trick riding, and humor fill the two hour dinner theater show. 

The food is served in a very special and efficient way at this theater.   Brought out on trays and served with flair, there was a delightful potato soup and biscuit,  whole roasted mini chicken, a slice of pork roast, corn on the cob… and for dessert, an apple turnover to die for!  All of this is to be eaten without silverware.  Just a couple of big napkins to wipe your fingers on.  Drinks are served in Mason jars and refilled constantly.  Wow! What service with a smile! Southern hospitality at its finest. After the show, guests are shuffled down to the gift shop for a little browsing through the myriad of horse and “Southern experience” related curios.  And of course, a whole section dedicated to the Trail of Painted Ponies and their products.  The staff are psyched and ready for the collectors and fans at this place. There’s still a little daylight awaiting us and we decide to take to long way back to the hotel and see some more of Tennessee.  Without YOTH in the back, the truck seems lighter and I feel a little less inhibited to take more of the back roads than before.

Dixie Stampede Performance

A hot bath, a warm bed and a cup of tea sounds great right now.  Thanks to Kimberley and her love of a good cup of English tea (with milk) I’ve become an addict.  The news spouts stories of 22” of rain in Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry under water.  Whew!   Lucky us, we missed that part.   We’ll see what the news says in the morning before embarking any further with this storm.

Starbucks or bust this morning!  The weather was holding and it looked like the best way to go was north and east with it. So it was on the road to KY and the home of pony collector, enthusiast and painter, and retired school teacher, Robin Greene.  But the side roads beckoned to us.  We couldn’t stay away from the blue highways and byways. And if you were an antique nut like me, that spelled trouble.  Even worse if you were also an antique dealer, as I am. 

Within hours of the beginning of our day we spied a hidden treasure.  London, KY is the home of “Scavenger Hunt”, a splendid little house of recycling .  So after a 2 hour visit, the truck got loaded up again with more things.  No point in going home with an empty truck….

Such beautiful country!  Never seen so much green! Speaking of green!   Arrived at what we now call, “Heaven in the Hollar”  at around 3 in the afternoon to find Robin and Patti in the yard enjoying the sunshine and cool breeze.    Drinks and pony talk were pursued,  as dinner awaits us.  Patti leaves us to devour everything ourselves.   Nice girl, but boy did she miss out on a feast.  Chicken salad, Robin style, and her very own homemade salsa from the garden make this meal really special!

We sat for hours on the porch and enjoyed cool breezes and sunshine on the hammock and comfy furniture for hours, talking Pony talk. Next? Off to the woods and a little campfire fun!   Approximately ¼ mile away and across the street is some land that they help farm.   Way back up the narrow valley is a nice little patch of mowed grass and a fire pit with a blazing fire that Robin’s husband, John, has prepared.  Beer, conversation between good (and new) friends and firefly watching is a wonderful pastime in KY!

Woke up to more news of the flooding and tornados to the west of us.  But that didn’t bother us because this was DERBY DAY and we were in KY,  just miles from the race! So we headed to the local grocery store and stocked up on goodies for the race!  

The track was wet from the storm, but the clouds parted in time for the race.  We read all the racing forms and newspapers and picked our Trifectas.  Super Saver, Ice Box and Paddy O Prado made it first to the wire.   A good close race with a lot of bumps and anticipation this year.  For once, I picked the winner!!!!  Yippee!!  Burgers and brownies were served for Derby Day cuisine with an appetizer of Robin’s killer chicken salad and salsa.  Double yum!

The plan was an earlier bedtime so we could rise early and see what the weather proved in the morning. Wrong. Pony tales kept us awake until the wee hours. Again.

Sunday we arose to a very cloudy and windy morning.  We decided to stay and see a little of Huntington, WV and round out this journey with another state on our slate. There were more stores to browse and peruse. Found a piece that was on the Antiques Road Show at quite a bargain!!!! 

The storm was building and there was news of flooding in Lexington and Louisville.  Long night for John, as the consummate protector/warrior who stayed up all night watching the water level in the stream, which had now become a raging torrent.  Trees could be heard crashing in the distance.    He checked the roads a couple of times during the night.  So far, just some rocks and mud block the roads.

Leaving was such sweet sorrow. Robin guided us back to our antique finds and helped us load them atop the other treasures. Tied down and ready to go!  Hugs and kisses were passed and the road beckoned to us.

The GPS guided us back through IL and AK and the journey was uneventful but scenic. Water was standing everywhere in the fields and side roads.  The freeways made it through the storm unscathed, though. Little Rock was our destination and we were able to make the reservation on Kimberleys’ phone.  Ahhhhh, technology at its finest!

Every trip has at least one moment of high drama, and ours turned out to be no exception.  Leaving Little Rock, not a cloud in the sky, about 50 miles out, the back gate on a dump truck swung open and began to unload dirt on the freeway!   Eek!  Quick reflexes and a jump to the other lane helped us avoid a very messy situation!   The trucks behind us were not so lucky and were bathed in muck…windshield wipers flailing.  Whew!   Close call!   We roared past the dump truck, hollering and pointing at the driver. 

Lunch at the Burger King.  Not going to do that again. Should know better. But the views were awesome….flowers like Blue Flax, Flox, Poppies, Mexican Hat , Primrose, Mexican Paintbrush lined the roadsides. Everywhere you looked there were honeysuckle vines and jasmine bushes. The air was fragrant with their heady scent!  No wonder people love Arkansas!   No clouds and warming up fast as we headed into flat TX. The green was fading fast as we crossed into NM, but the air was cool and inviting and we drank in the familiar NM terrain.  Arrived home at 9:30 pm and Dan, my husband, had prepared just what the Dr. ordered: tea and cornbread, to tuck us into bed with full tummies and warm memories of the journey.  Thanks to all who helped make this trip a memorable and happy one!

Artist Lori Musil with "Year of the Horse."