Crazy Horse, question

[franksolich]

Hey, Crazy Horse, sir, question.

Last night, during the middle of the night, I realized I had no cigarettes, and the closest place to get them was in the "big city," and so had to make an 80-mile round-trip for a $2.75 purchase.

(For those not Crazy Horse, it needs pointed out that Crazy Horse and I came to an eminently-agreeable understanding why I buy cigarettes only one package at a time, rather than a carton; Crazy Horse understands why things such as "convenience" and "expense" are not the most-important factors franksolich has to consider in things such as this.)

While I was waiting in line, I chitchatted with a truck-driver from North Carolina, specifically, the mountains of North Carolina, which I assume is western North Carolina.  A nice guy, and easy to "read."

He had been born and raised in the mountains of North Carolina, and spoke much of its beneficial aspects.

I questioned him further--sometimes I do have the manner of interrogating in a KGBish way--during which time he told me of his origins, his wife, his children, his job; I was so insistent upon getting answers that we actually sat down to have some coffee while he told me all about North Carolina.

This guy was good; this guy was great.  I even thought about inviting him here, but he's essentially the non-political type, although he did assure me he votes (R) every election, and has done so ever since he first started voting (Reagan).

The salt of the earth, this guy; honest, straightforward, modest, unassuming, a credit to not only North Carolina but to humanity in general.  The sort of guy who, if he needed a loan of $100, I would've unquestionably loaned him the hundred bucks. 

Towards the end of the conversation, he sort of, well, freaked out, when he discerned he had been telling a treasure-trove of information to someone who could not possibly hear a single word he had said.  It discombobulated him considerably (his sense of embarrassment). 

This happens all the time; I'm used to it, no harm done.

Anyway.

One of the things he told me was that if North Carolina were flattened out, North Carolina would be the largest state in the union.

That didn't seem quite right to me, but he was insistent that it's true.

Is this really true, Crazy Horse, or is this just Tarheel hyperbole?

[JohnnyReb]

I always heard it was West Virgina.

I've always gotten along great with the "hillbillies" of Ga., S.C., N.C., and Tn.. If they like you, they like you and if they don't, well they'll let you know right quick. Hollywierd movies make fun of them I think mostly because, dammit, they are the can do, straight up, solid Americans types.

[Rebel]

One of the things he told me was that if North Carolina were flattened out, North Carolina would be the largest state in the union.

That didn't seem quite right to me, but he was insistent that it's true.

Is this really true, Crazy Horse, or is this just Tarheel hyperbole?

No way in hell. Highest point in NC is Mt. Mitchell at 6,684 ft. The other mountains, I.e. Humpback, Grandfather, Blowing Rock, etc. are only about 5000-6000. There are a lot of mountains in NC, just as there are in WV, SC, GA, TN, etc., but not enough to make the state as big or bigger than Alaska. If you were to overlap Alaska onto the contiguous United States, from Attu to the most north-eastern tip, it would range from southern California to Maine. I'd also question that it would be any bigger than Texas.

Oh, and Frank, buy cartons. 

[franksolich]

I always heard it was West Virgina.

I've always gotten along great with the "hillbillies" of Ga., S.C., N.C., and Tn.. If they like you, they like you and if they don't, well they'll let you know right quick. Hollywierd movies make fun of them I think mostly because, dammit, they are the can do, straight up, solid Americans types.

Well, I would question if this guy were a "hillbilly."

While I've been through the mountains of northern Virginia and all of West Virginia, I might've seen authentic hillbillies, but as I was just a kid, I didn't pay attention.

This guy was short, neat, had all of his teeth, articulate, and all that--you know, the things that go against the Hollywood and primitive perceptions of "hillbillies."  Also, he was a truck-driver for a major major major trucking company, and as that company pays very well and one gets what one pays for, I don't imagine the company has to hire unprofessionals to drive trucks for it.

The word "hillbilly" never even crossed my mind; he looked like an average decent Joe to me, the sort of guy who keeps America strong.  The sort of guy the primitives Hate, even though he's involuntarily supporting them with his taxes.

[franksolich]

Oh, and Frank, buy cartons.

Oh, but if I did that, as Crazy Horse understands, then I would miss out on meeting interesting people.

[JohnnyReb]

I always heard it was West Virgina.

I've always gotten along great with the "hillbillies" of Ga., S.C., N.C., and Tn.. If they like you, they like you and if they don't, well they'll let you know right quick. Hollywierd movies make fun of them I think mostly because, dammit, they are the can do, straight up, solid Americans types.

Well, I would question if this guy were a "hillbilly."

While I've been through the mountains of northern Virginia and all of West Virginia, I might've seen authentic hillbillies, but as I was just a kid, I didn't pay attention.

This guy was short, neat, had all of his teeth, articulate, and all that--you know, the things that go against the Hollywood and primitive perceptions of "hillbillies."  Also, he was a truck-driver for a major major major trucking company, and as that company pays very well and one gets what one pays for, I don't imagine the company has to hire unprofessionals to drive trucks for it.

The word "hillbilly" never even crossed my mind; he looked like an average decent Joe to me, the sort of guy who keeps America strong.  The sort of guy the primitives Hate, even though he's involuntarily supporting them with his taxes.

Exactly!

The Hollywierd and CBS News Hillbilly is rare and hard to find these days. Most are exactly as you desribe, fine, honest to a fault, hard working Americans. The very type of person that primitives despise the most. Even the few toothless, overall wearing, less educated ones (usually older) have better 'character' than your wealthy metrosexual liberal.

Their moutain homelands are being bought up and invaded by rich liberals, like much of the south. They are sometimes a little hard to get friendly with. They have been looked down upon and talked down to by outsiders for so long that they are very cautious.  I can move amongst them all and feel very comfortable. .....and I must admit, I'm a little biased. I got family up in them there hills.

Used to fish, hunt and tube the Chatooga river long before the movie "Deliverance" was ever made and I never saw the kid with the banjo.

[Crazy Horse]

NC hyperbole frank.