Why do I like this town so much? Why does it fascinate me? It is shabby, not chic, the not-touristy little mountain town that people love to visit. I could live there.

The one-street town is walled off by a mountain on one side and the French Broad River and railroad tracks on the other. Many buildings are unoccupied, and the stores that are open have signs like “Open on Nice Days” displayed prominently. I’ve never been there when the sweet little bookstore was open.

But, the people know each other. They sit outside and wave to friends, children draw on the sidewalk with chalk and young teens ride bikes. They are seemingly unassuming and value good food, good beer, music and a good story.  Where else in the mountains would you find a mermaid festival, anyway? Ya gotta love it, but why is the artist colony marooned on an island in the river… do they fear they will escape?

Recently I traveled to Marshall to photograph while writer Sarah Schuetz interviewed the food scene folks for Plough to Pantry Magazine, a start-up quarterly in WNC. From Pot Pie to Zuma and the Madison Container Store we walked and talked throughout one gorgeous afternoon. I can’t wait to go back.