WEBVTT 00:00.767 --> 00:02.400 [gentle orchestral fanfare] 00:02.500 --> 00:06.133 ♪ 00:07.401 --> 00:09.600 [resonant strings lead building orchestration] 00:09.700 --> 00:17.901 ♪ 00:18.002 --> 00:20.234 (male narrator) Welcome to "Our State," 00:20.334 --> 00:22.568 a production of UNC-TV 00:22.668 --> 00:25.533 in association with "Our State" magazine-- 00:25.633 --> 00:27.701 for over 70 years, 00:27.801 --> 00:29.967 bringing the wonders of North Carolina 00:30.067 --> 00:32.067 to readers across the state. 00:32.167 --> 00:33.767 On this edition, 00:33.867 --> 00:35.767 the geologic marvel 00:35.867 --> 00:37.767 known as Linville Caverns... 00:37.867 --> 00:40.434 ♪ 00:40.534 --> 00:42.667 the medieval fantasy come true 00:42.767 --> 00:44.633 known as Castle McCulloch... 00:44.734 --> 00:46.434 ♪ 00:46.534 --> 00:48.167 and the elaborate creations 00:48.267 --> 00:50.334 of a group of artists 00:50.434 --> 00:52.067 known as "Sandy Feat." 00:52.167 --> 00:54.734 ♪ 00:56.334 --> 00:57.934 [gentle piano melody] 00:58.034 --> 00:59.901 (male announcer) From Manteo to Murphy 01:00.002 --> 01:03.501 and all the small towns and big cities in-between, 01:03.601 --> 01:08.868 BB&T believes opportunity lives everywhere in North Carolina. 01:08.968 --> 01:12.434 It's a belief we've held for more than 130 years 01:12.534 --> 01:15.167 and guides us as we support our communities 01:15.267 --> 01:17.934 from the mountains to the coast. 01:18.034 --> 01:20.801 We love calling North Carolina home, 01:20.901 --> 01:24.500 and we're proud to provide major funding for "Our State." 01:25.768 --> 01:27.768 Quality public television is made possible 01:27.868 --> 01:29.401 through the financial contributions 01:29.501 --> 01:31.167 of viewers like you, 01:31.267 --> 01:34.667 who invite you to join them in supporting UNC-TV. 01:34.767 --> 01:37.100 ♪ 01:38.800 --> 01:40.834 [glass harp resonating] 01:40.934 --> 01:45.834 ♪ 01:47.533 --> 01:49.400 [flowing strings] 01:49.500 --> 01:52.767 ♪ 01:52.867 --> 01:55.633 (narrator) It started with a story. 01:56.900 --> 01:58.434 Back in the 1800s, 01:58.534 --> 02:01.368 fisherman returning from a trip claimed there was treasure 02:01.468 --> 02:04.568 buried deep in Humpback Mountain. 02:04.668 --> 02:06.334 Spurred by their curiosity, 02:06.434 --> 02:08.201 why fish mysteriously appeared 02:08.301 --> 02:10.468 out of the side of the mountain, 02:10.568 --> 02:12.934 they followed a stream deep inside. 02:13.034 --> 02:14.668 ♪ 02:14.768 --> 02:16.634 Imagine their excitement and disbelief 02:16.735 --> 02:18.768 as the light from their candle 02:18.868 --> 02:21.967 flickered off the gold hues of Linville Caverns. 02:22.067 --> 02:24.701 ♪ 02:24.801 --> 02:27.434 It must have been like entering into another world, 02:27.534 --> 02:30.034 both frightening and beautiful. 02:30.134 --> 02:31.967 ♪ 02:32.067 --> 02:33.701 For well over 100,000 years, 02:33.801 --> 02:35.668 water flowing through the mountain's limestone 02:35.768 --> 02:38.467 has carved out this underground labyrinth. 02:38.567 --> 02:41.134 ♪ 02:41.234 --> 02:43.234 In 1937, nearly a century 02:43.334 --> 02:45.167 after they were first discovered, 02:45.267 --> 02:47.368 a group of businessmen formed a corporation 02:47.468 --> 02:50.134 to open the caverns to the public. 02:50.234 --> 02:52.334 The business lasted only a couple of years 02:52.434 --> 02:55.001 before a devastating flood crippled the region. 02:55.101 --> 02:56.701 The caverns were hard hit, 02:56.801 --> 02:58.900 wiping out buildings and the electrical system 02:59.001 --> 03:02.868 that powered the lights inside. 03:02.968 --> 03:04.835 (woman, voiceover) It was at that time 03:04.935 --> 03:09.034 that my grandfather bought stock in the caverns, 03:09.134 --> 03:11.267 and he was offered all of the stock, 03:11.368 --> 03:13.267 and he bought the caverns that way 03:13.368 --> 03:15.001 and started rebuilding. 03:15.101 --> 03:16.967 ♪ 03:17.067 --> 03:18.634 (narrator) Now, three generations later, 03:18.735 --> 03:21.601 the family is still managing the geologic treasure 03:21.701 --> 03:24.234 pretty much along the original lines, 03:24.334 --> 03:26.967 making improvements for safety and convenience 03:27.067 --> 03:28.667 but preserving the natural beauty 03:28.767 --> 03:31.167 for all to enjoy. 03:31.267 --> 03:33.301 (Davis) A lot of caverns, 03:33.401 --> 03:36.668 their biggest draw is the size of their rooms, 03:36.768 --> 03:39.267 the size of different formations and stuff. 03:39.368 --> 03:41.101 We have a lot of color 03:41.201 --> 03:44.401 because of all the minerals inside the caverns. 03:44.501 --> 03:46.568 (male guide) Now, if you are claustrophobic, 03:46.668 --> 03:49.501 it's not a good idea to be the first one in. 03:49.601 --> 03:51.002 (narrator) Entering the caverns, 03:51.102 --> 03:54.301 the first thing you may notice is that it's a little dark, 03:54.401 --> 03:57.701 a little damp, and little cool. 03:57.801 --> 03:59.700 (Davis) The temperature is 52° 03:59.800 --> 04:01.768 and stays that way year round. 04:01.868 --> 04:05.634 The only place that it changes is just inside the door. 04:05.735 --> 04:07.167 (narrator) The perfect environment 04:07.267 --> 04:09.433 for all kinds of critters. 04:09.533 --> 04:11.701 ♪ 04:11.801 --> 04:13.967 (Davis) We have granddaddy longlegs. 04:14.067 --> 04:16.501 They hibernate in there. 04:16.601 --> 04:19.533 We have eastern pipistrelle and brown bats. 04:19.633 --> 04:21.368 We have salamanders. 04:21.468 --> 04:24.834 We have one spider that's named after Linville Caverns. 04:24.934 --> 04:28.401 It was discovered here. 04:28.501 --> 04:30.900 (guide) Now, as you're walking right through here, 04:31.001 --> 04:33.501 this is what we call a "bedrock table." 04:33.601 --> 04:36.134 Millions of years ago the stream ran there-- 04:36.234 --> 04:37.734 right here. 04:37.834 --> 04:40.501 ♪ 04:40.601 --> 04:42.501 (Davis) The water temperature varies 04:42.601 --> 04:46.301 according to time of year that you're in there. 04:46.401 --> 04:50.401 The water, we believe, feeds from the outside, 04:50.501 --> 04:53.934 from north fork of the Catawba River, 04:54.034 --> 04:56.901 and then it flows through the caverns, 04:57.002 --> 05:03.067 and at one point it veers off to feed the bottomless pool. 05:03.167 --> 05:07.134 It's been measured over 250 feet, 05:07.234 --> 05:09.668 and they didn't touch bottom. 05:09.768 --> 05:13.334 Everybody remembers the bottomless pool 05:13.434 --> 05:16.135 and total darkness. 05:16.235 --> 05:19.434 (narrator) The lights are turned off to give visitors a true sense 05:19.534 --> 05:22.167 of what it's like without the benefit of illumination. 05:22.267 --> 05:24.700 [children chattering excitedly] 05:24.800 --> 05:27.334 Total darkness is startling, 05:27.434 --> 05:29.534 except perhaps to the bats 05:29.634 --> 05:32.200 and the so-called blind fish. 05:32.300 --> 05:34.701 ♪ 05:34.801 --> 05:36.800 (Davis) They're not born blind 05:36.900 --> 05:39.001 but a sort of film-covering 05:39.101 --> 05:40.735 comes across their eyes 05:40.835 --> 05:45.267 as they stay in the dark for so long. 05:45.368 --> 05:47.201 They have sight, to a point, 05:47.301 --> 05:49.900 but we call them blind trout. 05:50.001 --> 05:51.667 [hammered dulcimer joins] 05:51.767 --> 05:56.334 ♪ 05:56.434 --> 05:58.868 (narrator) Linville is considered an active cavern. 05:58.968 --> 06:01.034 The formations that decorate the inside 06:01.134 --> 06:04.267 are still forming drop by drop, 06:04.368 --> 06:07.567 sparked by the rainfall on Humpback Mountain. 06:07.667 --> 06:11.701 ♪ 06:11.801 --> 06:13.534 (Davis) It takes about three days 06:13.634 --> 06:16.068 from the time we get rain on the outside 06:16.168 --> 06:19.434 for the water to make its way down through the mountain 06:19.534 --> 06:21.768 and through the cracks and crevices 06:21.868 --> 06:25.001 to where it's dripping in there. 06:25.101 --> 06:29.634 ♪ 06:29.735 --> 06:31.167 (narrator) A drop emerges 06:31.267 --> 06:32.867 from the cracks and crevices 06:32.967 --> 06:34.668 carrying the basic ingredient needed 06:34.768 --> 06:36.334 to create the underground marvels-- 06:36.434 --> 06:38.368 the mineral calcite. 06:38.468 --> 06:40.800 No longer able to hold the minerals collected 06:40.900 --> 06:42.668 as the water percolates downward, 06:42.768 --> 06:45.034 the drop deposits its tiny mineral load 06:45.134 --> 06:47.034 as a single crystal. 06:47.134 --> 06:48.934 ♪ 06:49.034 --> 06:51.267 Billions and billions of drops later 06:51.368 --> 06:53.233 formations take shape. 06:53.333 --> 07:00.633 ♪ 07:00.734 --> 07:02.368 It's easy to see shapes 07:02.468 --> 07:05.201 in the formations the drops have made-- 07:05.301 --> 07:07.200 drying tobacco leaves... 07:07.300 --> 07:09.134 ♪ 07:09.234 --> 07:13.867 or a wedding scene with bride, groom, and priest. 07:13.967 --> 07:15.401 (Davis) We've had people 07:15.501 --> 07:17.867 that have wanted to have weddings there. 07:17.967 --> 07:20.768 We did have one couple. 07:20.868 --> 07:22.601 They weren't actually married there, 07:22.701 --> 07:27.834 but they sort of said a few vows there. 07:27.934 --> 07:29.568 In this caverns, 07:29.668 --> 07:31.568 unlike others where you stand back 07:31.668 --> 07:35.034 and look at large rooms and large formations, 07:35.134 --> 07:38.068 here, you're right next to formations, 07:38.168 --> 07:41.534 but that gives you a better look and a better view 07:41.634 --> 07:45.767 of what's actually going on in the caverns. 07:45.867 --> 07:48.968 This is our Guess What formation. 07:49.068 --> 07:52.234 It's the one formation that we ask all our visitors to name 07:52.334 --> 07:55.034 because it looks like so many different things. 07:55.134 --> 07:57.134 ♪ 07:57.234 --> 08:00.001 Behind me is the Frozen Niagara 08:00.101 --> 08:01.668 This is the largest 08:01.768 --> 08:03.900 and oldest stalactite in the caverns, 08:04.001 --> 08:06.034 starting from up at the ceiling 08:06.134 --> 08:08.234 and forming down. 08:08.334 --> 08:11.434 Just down in this corner is the heart of the caverns; 08:11.534 --> 08:14.368 it looks like a heart. 08:14.468 --> 08:16.401 And above your heads is the profile 08:16.501 --> 08:18.367 of George Washington. 08:18.467 --> 08:20.633 ♪ 08:20.734 --> 08:22.768 We ask from the beginning 08:22.868 --> 08:25.301 that you don't touch the formations. 08:25.401 --> 08:26.868 When you touch it, 08:26.968 --> 08:29.801 the oil from your skin stays on a rock, 08:29.901 --> 08:33.867 and that prevents the mineral from adhering to the rock 08:33.967 --> 08:37.134 to cause it to grow anymore. 08:37.234 --> 08:39.568 And in the narrowest sections 08:39.668 --> 08:42.067 we don't mind people touching the formations 08:42.167 --> 08:46.334 because we don't want it to close up any tighter. 08:46.434 --> 08:48.468 (guide) Watch your heads as you come along. 08:48.568 --> 08:50.901 (Davis) So there are low rocks and low places 08:51.002 --> 08:53.568 where you do have to duck and watch your head. 08:53.668 --> 08:56.900 And there's one; we call it the headache rock. 08:57.001 --> 08:58.334 Most people hit that. 08:58.434 --> 09:00.167 You're looking at the fish 09:00.267 --> 09:02.167 and don't realize that rock's there. 09:02.267 --> 09:04.101 We've all hit it too, 09:04.201 --> 09:05.601 most of us. 09:05.701 --> 09:07.734 I definitely have, heh, heh! 09:07.834 --> 09:10.068 ♪ 09:10.168 --> 09:12.068 (narrator) Modern improvements such as electric lighting 09:12.168 --> 09:15.501 have made the beauty of this cave readily visible. 09:15.601 --> 09:17.267 It's hard to imagine, however, 09:17.368 --> 09:19.301 what early explorers might have seen, 09:19.401 --> 09:21.600 with only a candle or tiny hand lantern 09:21.700 --> 09:23.900 to light their way. 09:24.001 --> 09:26.600 (Davis) In 1884, 09:26.700 --> 09:29.468 Thomas Edison sent a team 09:29.568 --> 09:32.267 headed by William-- W.E. Hidden. 09:32.368 --> 09:34.134 He was in search of platinum 09:34.234 --> 09:37.800 to be used in Edison's incandescent bulb, 09:37.900 --> 09:40.835 and he was in Linville Caverns. 09:40.935 --> 09:43.767 He went as far back as you can possible go, 09:43.867 --> 09:45.868 past where a tour goes. 09:45.968 --> 09:49.334 And didn't find the platinum he was looking for, 09:49.434 --> 09:52.801 but everybody in his team 09:52.901 --> 09:56.234 scratched their names on the rock back there. 09:56.334 --> 09:59.168 So it's called "Signature Rock." 09:59.268 --> 10:01.934 (narrator) W.E. Hidden might not have found platinum, 10:02.034 --> 10:03.601 but he's credited with discovering 10:03.701 --> 10:05.334 another mineral in the area 10:05.434 --> 10:07.167 that's since been given his name-- 10:07.267 --> 10:09.067 hiddenite. 10:09.167 --> 10:10.768 This far back in the caverns 10:10.868 --> 10:14.900 your senses have a tendency to play tricks on you. 10:15.001 --> 10:16.668 (Davis) When you're in there, 10:16.768 --> 10:19.701 especially getting towards the back of the caverns, 10:19.801 --> 10:22.567 and you know you're the only ones in there, 10:22.667 --> 10:24.334 you can hear-- 10:24.434 --> 10:26.201 it sounds almost like a woman singing 10:26.301 --> 10:27.868 way back in the back. 10:27.968 --> 10:30.067 It's just the water coming across the rocks, 10:30.167 --> 10:32.900 but it scares a lot of people. 10:33.001 --> 10:34.701 (narrator) The watery siren 10:34.801 --> 10:38.501 echoes her song into the darkest part of the caverns. 10:38.601 --> 10:40.801 (Davis) There is more to the caverns. 10:40.901 --> 10:43.700 It goes back about the same amount 10:43.800 --> 10:46.034 that the public sees. 10:46.134 --> 10:48.767 We don't intend to do any more opening 10:48.867 --> 10:50.234 of the caverns 10:50.334 --> 10:53.567 because it would endanger what's already there. 10:53.667 --> 10:55.301 ♪ 10:55.401 --> 10:57.034 (narrator) And what is there 10:57.134 --> 10:58.735 has been hundreds of thousands 10:58.835 --> 11:02.067 or, perhaps, millions of years in the making. 11:02.167 --> 11:05.001 ♪ 11:05.101 --> 11:07.101 It's hard to comprehend the extreme age 11:07.201 --> 11:09.668 of something like the Linville Caverns, 11:09.768 --> 11:12.368 but it's not hard to be thankful for the care 11:12.468 --> 11:13.900 the attraction has received 11:14.001 --> 11:15.967 from Sarah Davis and her family 11:16.067 --> 11:18.568 over many decades. 11:18.668 --> 11:21.101 It's pretty well assured that future visitors 11:21.201 --> 11:23.868 will see just as much beauty and spectacle 11:23.968 --> 11:26.800 as people visiting Linville Caverns today. 11:26.900 --> 11:29.133 [bells punctuate flowing strings] 11:29.233 --> 11:34.133 ♪ 11:36.767 --> 11:39.067 [serene harp melody] 11:39.167 --> 11:44.633 ♪ 11:46.401 --> 11:48.700 [violins drone as tambourine thumps] 11:48.800 --> 11:54.134 ♪ 11:54.234 --> 11:56.234 (narrator) Richard Harris is a man 11:56.334 --> 11:58.434 who knows how to dream... 11:58.534 --> 12:00.368 and this particular dream 12:00.468 --> 12:03.201 began when he was ten years old. 12:03.301 --> 12:05.334 (Harris) The way I found the castle was, 12:05.434 --> 12:07.201 I was riding my bicycle out here 12:07.301 --> 12:09.568 from High Point with three of my buddies, 12:09.668 --> 12:11.568 and we stopped at Kersey Valley Grocery. 12:11.668 --> 12:13.434 The little old lady behind the counter, 12:13.534 --> 12:15.234 I always remember what she said. 12:15.334 --> 12:17.301 I was ten years old, and she said, 12:17.401 --> 12:19.867 "You boys wouldn't want to see an old, haunted castle 12:19.967 --> 12:21.668 down in the woods, would ya?" 12:21.768 --> 12:24.067 Well, of course, we all came tearing down here, 12:24.167 --> 12:25.768 and it looked very much 12:25.868 --> 12:28.368 like an old haunted ruin of a castle. 12:28.468 --> 12:31.701 (narrator) The pile of ruins he saw that day was the remains 12:31.801 --> 12:34.567 of an old Randolph County gold-stamping mill 12:34.667 --> 12:36.735 built in the 1830s 12:36.835 --> 12:39.166 by a Scotsman named Charles McCulloch. 12:39.266 --> 12:41.167 ♪ 12:41.267 --> 12:43.834 It was abandoned after the Civil War 12:43.934 --> 12:45.767 and fell into ruin, 12:45.867 --> 12:48.167 and it was the early 1980s 12:48.267 --> 12:50.734 before Richard could revive his boyhood dream 12:50.834 --> 12:52.634 to buy the property 12:52.735 --> 12:55.400 and reconstruct what he called "Castle McCulloch." 12:55.500 --> 12:57.735 ♪ 12:57.835 --> 13:00.067 (Harris) We had to rebuild everything, 13:00.167 --> 13:02.768 and we built about 20% of the stone back. 13:02.868 --> 13:06.167 We laid over a million pounds of stone in the restoration. 13:06.267 --> 13:07.967 I once calculated 13:08.067 --> 13:11.101 it took in excess of 1 billion hammer blows 13:11.201 --> 13:13.468 to quarry the stone. 13:13.568 --> 13:15.935 (narrator) Chisel marks from the stonemasons' hammers 13:16.035 --> 13:20.601 are visible today on the heavy granite blocks, 13:20.701 --> 13:23.867 and because the old building had housed a steam engine, 13:23.967 --> 13:25.668 the windows were nothing more 13:25.768 --> 13:29.067 than just open holes for ventilation. 13:29.167 --> 13:32.600 But of course, a castle has to have windows, 13:32.700 --> 13:35.534 so Richard made some. 13:35.634 --> 13:37.401 (Harris) That's English leaded glass. 13:37.501 --> 13:40.834 We added the crystal and stained glass over the door. 13:40.934 --> 13:43.167 Of course, we put in the chandelier, 13:43.267 --> 13:45.102 and we added the iron railings. 13:45.202 --> 13:48.101 There were no railings around when there was a steam engine. 13:48.201 --> 13:49.967 The oiler would walk on those balconies. 13:50.067 --> 13:51.834 There was no wooden structure remaining 13:51.934 --> 13:53.534 when the building was restored, 13:53.634 --> 13:55.668 so all these beams were cut new. 13:55.768 --> 13:57.634 This one weighs about 8,500 pounds. 13:57.735 --> 14:01.067 The paneling in the back was a replica of paneling 14:01.167 --> 14:03.835 that's in the Lost Colony Museum near Manteo. 14:03.935 --> 14:05.768 I like the simplicity and everything. 14:05.868 --> 14:08.935 It was the period that I wanted for the castle. 14:09.035 --> 14:11.267 (narrator) And in case you hadn't noticed, 14:11.368 --> 14:15.368 Castle McCulloch also has a moat. 14:15.468 --> 14:18.234 It's not hard to imagine some fair maiden 14:18.334 --> 14:20.534 crossing over to safety in the castle, 14:20.634 --> 14:24.001 which brings us to the next part of the story 14:24.101 --> 14:25.700 because, in Richard Harris's mind, 14:25.800 --> 14:27.501 there's much more to a castle 14:27.601 --> 14:29.368 than just four walls and a moat. 14:29.468 --> 14:32.035 I really wanted to create what I'd seen in Europe, 14:32.135 --> 14:34.468 where a whole little valley was created with bridges 14:34.568 --> 14:36.267 and dams and waterfalls and fountains. 14:36.368 --> 14:37.968 So I set about that, 14:38.068 --> 14:40.768 and we've been building on it for 20 years now. 14:40.868 --> 14:43.201 So far, we have a nice granite lake, 14:43.301 --> 14:45.468 a fountain, a couple buildings. 14:45.568 --> 14:48.334 I won't be finished till I'm dead, I think. 14:48.434 --> 14:50.201 (narrator) The unstoppable Mr. Harris 14:50.301 --> 14:53.668 has crafted a medieval wonderland at Castle McCulloch 14:53.768 --> 14:56.034 and also built a thriving business. 14:56.134 --> 14:57.568 The place is now 14:57.668 --> 15:00.601 North Carolina's largest wedding venue. 15:00.701 --> 15:02.967 (man) We welcome all who have come 15:03.067 --> 15:04.968 to share in this sacred occasion. 15:05.068 --> 15:08.401 (narrator) Countless brides have been married in the Great Hall. 15:08.501 --> 15:10.601 [light violin tune] 15:10.701 --> 15:12.968 Before long, the wedding business was so successful 15:13.068 --> 15:15.600 that Richard needed to have more than one place 15:15.700 --> 15:17.967 to stage a wedding, 15:18.067 --> 15:21.134 and thus, the Crystal Garden was born. 15:21.234 --> 15:23.434 It's an exuberant bit of architecture 15:23.534 --> 15:26.433 fashioned after Queen Victoria's Crystal Palace, 15:26.533 --> 15:28.134 and as usual, 15:28.234 --> 15:31.234 Richard's creative juices were flowing freely. 15:31.334 --> 15:32.935 (Harris) A friend of mine 15:33.035 --> 15:35.468 gave me $50,000 worth of this beveled glass-- 15:35.568 --> 15:37.134 very expensive stuff-- 15:37.234 --> 15:40.734 and so I designed the building just for the glass. 15:40.834 --> 15:42.868 [gentle harp melody] 15:42.968 --> 15:44.701 (narrator) The centerpiece of this room 15:44.801 --> 15:47.267 is a giant chandelier Richard made in his workshop 15:47.368 --> 15:49.434 when he discovered that buying one like it 15:49.534 --> 15:52.934 would cost upwards of $60,000. 15:53.034 --> 15:55.768 Now the property boasts seven locations 15:55.868 --> 15:59.567 to have a wedding, either indoor or out. 15:59.667 --> 16:01.901 And as you might suspect, 16:02.002 --> 16:04.468 given Castle McCulloch's many attractive features, 16:04.568 --> 16:06.134 there's a whole lot more 16:06.234 --> 16:08.234 that goes on here than just weddings. 16:08.334 --> 16:10.134 Well, now which way do we go? 16:10.234 --> 16:12.667 Pardon me-- that's a very nice way. 16:12.767 --> 16:14.301 (narrator) In the fall, 16:14.401 --> 16:16.533 talent from the Community Theatre of Greensboro... 16:16.633 --> 16:17.801 Hooray! 16:17.901 --> 16:20.134 (narrator) transforms both grounds and buildings 16:20.234 --> 16:23.002 into an exciting Land of Oz adventure. 16:23.102 --> 16:25.934 [Dorothy and Scarecrow] ♪ Weee're off t o see the wizard ♪ 16:26.034 --> 16:27.801 ♪ The wonderful Wizard of Oz ♪ 16:27.901 --> 16:30.201 (narrator) No matter where Dorothy and her young friends 16:30.301 --> 16:33.034 may go in their search for the Wizard of Oz, 16:33.134 --> 16:34.767 there's always a fantastic setting 16:34.867 --> 16:36.568 available for the story... 16:36.668 --> 16:38.567 (baritones) ♪ Oh-ee-oh ♪ 16:38.667 --> 16:40.967 whether on the drawbridge 16:41.067 --> 16:42.967 or in the castle itself. 16:43.067 --> 16:44.401 [children screeching] ahhhh, ahhhh...ahhhh 16:44.501 --> 16:47.101 (witch) Ring around the rosie, 16:47.201 --> 16:50.800 my broom has chosen you! 16:50.900 --> 16:52.667 (Dorothy) No, I won't let you! 16:52.767 --> 16:54.368 Ahhhh! 16:54.468 --> 16:56.501 (narrator) And if you click your heels twice... 16:56.601 --> 16:58.334 (Dorothy) There's no place like home. 16:58.434 --> 16:59.868 (narrator) and really believe... 16:59.968 --> 17:01.834 (Dorothy) There's no place like home. 17:01.934 --> 17:03.434 (woman) Good-bye, Dorothy. 17:03.534 --> 17:05.167 (narrator) you could end up... 17:05.267 --> 17:06.801 in December. 17:06.901 --> 17:09.101 [flute and harp play "Deck the Halls"] 17:09.201 --> 17:10.701 This particular dream-- 17:10.801 --> 17:12.967 maybe the most elaborate one yet-- 17:13.067 --> 17:14.800 started back in July, 17:14.900 --> 17:17.035 when Richard began devising a way 17:17.135 --> 17:20.900 to transform the property into a Christmas spectacle. 17:21.001 --> 17:22.867 [winch clicking] 17:25.234 --> 17:26.668 That's good. 17:26.768 --> 17:29.401 (narrator) It's a sight that folks in Charles McCulloch's time 17:29.501 --> 17:32.101 could scarcely have imagined. 17:32.201 --> 17:34.567 Twinkling lights abound... 17:34.667 --> 17:36.700 from the castle... 17:36.800 --> 17:39.267 across the pond... 17:39.368 --> 17:41.267 and along Amber Bridge. 17:41.368 --> 17:43.700 [synthesized piano playing "Here Comes Santa Claus"] 17:43.800 --> 17:45.267 The castle's Great Room 17:45.368 --> 17:48.301 looks almost like something from Currier & Ives, 17:48.401 --> 17:50.267 complete with Santa reading letters 17:50.368 --> 17:52.667 from his true believers. 17:52.767 --> 17:54.668 ♪ 17:54.768 --> 17:57.368 And each February, there is an elaborate, 17:57.468 --> 17:59.568 richly styled winter festival, 17:59.668 --> 18:02.500 called "Castle Carnevale." 18:02.600 --> 18:12.500 ♪ 18:12.600 --> 18:19.067 ♪ 18:19.167 --> 18:21.400 You may sit wherever you wish. 18:22.668 --> 18:24.868 (narrator) All of this plus whatever Richard Harris 18:24.968 --> 18:28.167 may add to his castle and grounds in the future 18:28.267 --> 18:31.767 is very much in keeping with the vision of a man 18:31.867 --> 18:34.133 who never stops dreaming. 18:34.233 --> 18:43.834 ♪ 18:46.634 --> 18:49.033 [shovel digging] chh, chh...chh 18:55.067 --> 18:57.900 [waves breaking] shhhh 18:58.001 --> 18:59.867 [synthesized drums play upbeat arrangement] 18:59.967 --> 19:02.034 ♪ 19:02.134 --> 19:04.568 (narrator) Oh, to be young again... 19:04.668 --> 19:06.835 with nothing but a wide beach 19:06.935 --> 19:09.934 of inviting sand stretching out before you. 19:10.034 --> 19:12.568 [guitar joins] 19:12.668 --> 19:15.967 When we were 6 or 7, maybe even 10 or 12, 19:16.067 --> 19:17.868 there wasn't anything too much better 19:17.968 --> 19:21.001 than time spent building castles in the sand. 19:21.101 --> 19:22.967 [piano joins] 19:23.067 --> 19:26.067 ♪ 19:26.167 --> 19:28.968 But then reality inevitably intervenes, 19:29.068 --> 19:33.001 changing sun-splashed dreamers into doctors, lawyers, 19:33.101 --> 19:35.368 salespeople, machinists, 19:35.468 --> 19:37.934 or architects... 19:38.034 --> 19:40.534 unless, of course, you are Ed Moore, 19:40.634 --> 19:43.534 a Raleigh architect, who regularly carves time out 19:43.634 --> 19:47.568 from his busy career to play in the sand. 19:47.668 --> 19:49.701 This self-proclaimed "sandbox CEO" 19:49.801 --> 19:52.034 and the other latter-day castle carvers 19:52.134 --> 19:54.567 are known as Sandy Feat-- 19:54.667 --> 19:56.434 f-e-a-t-- 19:56.534 --> 19:59.468 and from time to time, their work can be seen, 19:59.568 --> 20:02.234 at least temporarily, at festivals, fairs, 20:02.334 --> 20:05.834 and other venues all across our state. 20:05.934 --> 20:07.568 Give them a weekend, 20:07.668 --> 20:09.600 and they'll create something marvelous 20:09.700 --> 20:12.368 out of nothing but sand. 20:12.468 --> 20:14.867 Start with stacks of the stuff-- 20:14.967 --> 20:17.234 16 to 24 tons of sand. 20:17.334 --> 20:18.768 (Moore) It's loose-grain sand, 20:18.868 --> 20:21.434 and you can back on it and beat on it, 20:21.534 --> 20:23.301 and it just doesn't hold its shape 20:23.401 --> 20:26.166 because it doesn't have any moisture in it. 20:27.434 --> 20:29.434 And when you add some moisture 20:29.534 --> 20:31.534 and you start packing that sand, 20:31.634 --> 20:34.634 then it can hold its shape. 20:34.735 --> 20:37.234 Add extra moisture to it, 20:37.334 --> 20:39.867 and it actually won't hold together. 20:39.967 --> 20:41.867 So we've gone past the point 20:41.967 --> 20:44.134 that we want to have moisture in it. 20:44.234 --> 20:45.835 It's kinda like makin' homemade biscuits-- 20:45.935 --> 20:48.434 you can either put too much or too little. 20:48.534 --> 20:51.002 [violin leads lively bluegrass tune] 20:51.102 --> 20:53.534 (narrator) What will this "sandy feat" become? 20:53.634 --> 20:55.401 No doubt, a uniquely wonderful 20:55.501 --> 20:57.534 and, most likely, whimsical creation 20:57.634 --> 21:00.867 to commemorate this year's Festival for the Eno. 21:00.967 --> 21:03.900 ♪ 21:04.001 --> 21:06.667 This year's Eno River theme? 21:06.767 --> 21:08.534 The slider turtle. 21:08.634 --> 21:11.468 (Moore) You know, I wanted to capture something using turtles. 21:11.568 --> 21:12.967 Last year, it was-- 21:13.067 --> 21:15.234 Last year, it was the lighting bugs. 21:15.334 --> 21:16.868 the lightning bugs, last year. 21:16.968 --> 21:19.301 And so we had kids catching lighting bugs, 21:19.401 --> 21:22.934 but then we had two giant lighting bugs catching kids. 21:23.034 --> 21:24.601 I decided that I wanted 21:24.701 --> 21:27.101 to have a giant turtle on a log, 21:27.201 --> 21:30.034 and I've got to have the shape of the turtle. 21:30.134 --> 21:31.434 It's kinda rounded. 21:31.534 --> 21:33.900 (narrator) One wonders how long his design will last 21:34.001 --> 21:36.134 before Ed and his artist team members 21:36.234 --> 21:38.701 start carving outside the lines. 21:38.801 --> 21:41.368 (man) Uh, that whole cylinder would be the back 21:41.468 --> 21:43.434 of, like, a hollow tree coming up. 21:43.534 --> 21:45.567 (Moore, voiceover) Sand sculpture's a little bit different 21:45.667 --> 21:47.301 from other types of art. 21:47.401 --> 21:50.301 We can have two or three artists working together. 21:50.401 --> 21:51.700 They climb up this thing. 21:51.800 --> 21:52.967 Exactly. 21:53.067 --> 21:54.568 That's how you get up. 21:54.668 --> 21:57.368 And you say, well, hey, that's a great idea, 21:57.468 --> 21:59.267 or why don't you fly with that? 21:59.368 --> 22:02.168 And then it's sort of blending of art form together, 22:02.268 --> 22:05.067 and that's sort of what I like about the sand-sculpting. 22:05.167 --> 22:07.101 [piano leads] 22:07.201 --> 22:08.934 [indistinct talking] 22:09.034 --> 22:11.568 ♪ 22:11.668 --> 22:15.034 (narrator) A few rough cuts here and there using familiar tools, 22:15.134 --> 22:17.334 setting the stage for what comes next-- 22:17.434 --> 22:19.734 drawing the image out of the sand, 22:19.834 --> 22:23.101 so to speak, with finer tools. 22:23.201 --> 22:24.900 (Moore) These are just mason's trowels. 22:25.001 --> 22:26.568 Some of 'em are pointed. 22:26.668 --> 22:28.434 Some of 'em used to be square, 22:28.534 --> 22:30.301 like this, and you've worn it down 22:30.401 --> 22:31.901 because that sand wears it down. 22:32.002 --> 22:34.667 It's a wonder we have any fingerprints left. 22:34.767 --> 22:37.035 ♪ 22:37.135 --> 22:39.801 (narrator) Since sand-sculpting is a "performing art," 22:39.901 --> 22:42.167 there's always an appreciative audience. 22:42.267 --> 22:44.134 (Moore) And people can watch it progress. 22:44.234 --> 22:46.067 They can come back later that day 22:46.167 --> 22:48.401 and see new things that have come out. 22:48.501 --> 22:50.267 They're here to have a good time. 22:50.368 --> 22:51.967 We're here to help entertain everybody, 22:52.067 --> 22:53.568 and it's for us. 22:53.668 --> 22:55.735 We're here to have a good time. 22:55.835 --> 22:58.568 (narrator) One of the craft's more fascinating techniques 22:58.668 --> 23:01.167 is how grooves and pockets in the sand 23:01.267 --> 23:05.035 are carved out to produce contrast and character. 23:05.135 --> 23:06.934 (Moore) Since sand-sculpting is monochromatic-- 23:07.034 --> 23:08.768 you're only working with one color-- 23:08.868 --> 23:10.900 the only way that you can create things 23:11.001 --> 23:12.434 is to create shadow. 23:12.534 --> 23:15.102 We have to be able to carve in and up 23:15.202 --> 23:18.101 and carve under something and make something protrude out 23:18.201 --> 23:21.567 to create a change in light. 23:21.667 --> 23:23.501 [indistinct talking] 23:23.601 --> 23:25.501 We do have to tell people 23:25.601 --> 23:27.034 when they're taking photographs, 23:27.134 --> 23:28.701 "Don't use your flash." 23:28.801 --> 23:32.634 The light goes into and takes away all the shadow. 23:32.735 --> 23:35.768 (narrator) The process is a lot more free-form 23:35.868 --> 23:38.568 than you might think an architect would allow. 23:38.668 --> 23:42.168 (Moore) And since we modified what we were originally gonna do, 23:42.268 --> 23:45.568 we don't even have a drawing of this particular one at all. 23:45.668 --> 23:47.568 It's going according to the shape 23:47.668 --> 23:51.334 of the sand that we're working with. 23:51.434 --> 23:53.101 (narrator) So, somewhere in there, 23:53.201 --> 23:56.301 you can bet there's a raft of slider turtles 23:56.401 --> 24:00.401 ready to express themselves in some nonturtlelike way. 24:00.501 --> 24:02.334 (Moore) Well, turtles are sorta docile. 24:02.434 --> 24:04.901 They sit around, and what can ya do with 'em? 24:05.002 --> 24:06.701 And then we said, well, slider turtles, 24:06.801 --> 24:08.234 and that's when we started talking 24:08.334 --> 24:10.034 and saying, well, they could be sliding. 24:10.134 --> 24:11.835 Well, let's put 'em on a slide. 24:11.935 --> 24:14.501 So we're gonna have these turtles climbing up this stump 24:14.601 --> 24:17.900 to get up to the top to come zipping down. 24:18.001 --> 24:30.800 ♪ 24:30.900 --> 24:32.468 (narrator) Alas, 24:32.568 --> 24:35.968 the art of Sandy Feat is not meant to last... 24:36.068 --> 24:38.934 except as a memory of that perfect summer's day 24:39.034 --> 24:41.268 at Eno River State Park. 24:41.369 --> 24:44.468 (Moore) People say, "Don't you want to save it and have it, 24:44.568 --> 24:46.267 "you know, permanently covered with something 24:46.368 --> 24:47.834 and make it stay forever?" 24:47.934 --> 24:49.634 And I say, "No, not really," 24:49.735 --> 24:52.166 because it's the fun of doing it. 24:52.266 --> 25:00.867 ♪ 25:00.967 --> 25:02.601 (narrator) A child's sandcastle, 25:02.701 --> 25:04.234 like their latest creation, 25:04.334 --> 25:07.368 will not survive the test of time and tide, 25:07.468 --> 25:09.668 but the wonder of it all, of course, 25:09.768 --> 25:12.334 is that you get to start on a new creation 25:12.434 --> 25:13.935 anytime you want, 25:14.035 --> 25:17.167 and that is a splendid metaphor for life itself, 25:17.267 --> 25:19.800 no matter what your age. 25:23.101 --> 25:25.401 [gulls calling] ehhh, ehhh...ehhh 25:25.501 --> 25:27.834 [waves crashing gently] 25:46.401 --> 25:48.400 ehhh, ehhh...ehhh 25:58.368 --> 26:00.767 slsh, slsh...slsh 26:21.001 --> 26:23.001 [crickets chirping] 26:26.301 --> 26:28.300 [waves crashing] 26:42.633 --> 26:44.567 [birds chirping] 26:46.701 --> 26:49.001 [violin leads stately melody] 26:49.101 --> 27:00.401 ♪ 27:00.501 --> 27:02.934 [piano suggests chamber music] 27:03.034 --> 27:11.301 ♪ 27:11.401 --> 27:13.300 [violins join] 27:13.400 --> 27:23.867 ♪ 27:23.967 --> 27:31.801 ♪ 27:31.901 --> 27:34.533 Captioning by Caption Perfect www.CaptionPerfect.com 27:34.633 --> 27:36.967 [water sloshing] 27:41.501 --> 27:44.134 (announcer) To subscribe to "Our State" magazine, 27:44.234 --> 27:47.333 visit the Web site www.ourstate.com or call... 27:52.334 --> 27:55.167 [gentle piano melody] 27:55.267 --> 27:57.735 From small towns to bustling cities, 27:57.835 --> 28:00.534 from the Outer Banks to the Blue Ridge Mountains 28:00.634 --> 28:02.601 and all the places in-between, 28:02.701 --> 28:07.534 BB&T believes opportunity lives everywhere in North Carolina. 28:07.634 --> 28:10.101 And for more than 130 years, 28:10.201 --> 28:13.134 we've helped people discover it. 28:13.234 --> 28:15.668 We're proud of our North Carolina roots, 28:15.768 --> 28:18.700 and we're proud to provide major funding for "Our State." 28:18.800 --> 28:20.934 ♪ 28:22.368 --> 28:24.434 Quality public television is made possible 28:24.534 --> 28:25.967 through the financial contributions 28:26.067 --> 28:27.634 of viewers like you, 28:27.735 --> 28:31.735 who invite you to join them in supporting UNC-TV.