Brush with (semi) fame

One week, the canoeing staff at Hungry Mother State Park (that is, me, Candace and the rest) had the privilege of escorting a local hero and his gang down the river. "Big Tom" Buchanan, a finalist on Survivor: Africa, decided to show his fellow Survivor Lex and his family all that beautiful Southwest Virginia had to offer. (Lex has tattoos everywhere. Up and down both arms, chest, back, stomach, legs, neck...and no doubt there are more in other unmentionable places. His wife is equally well-decorated). Lex and the family were really nice and friendly. Big Tom is equally friendly and generous, and has an outsized personality that suits his nickname. Tom's name is well-known in our area because he owns and operates a farm in the county. So unless you are from Smyth County, this encounter with fame is not really of any significance at all. But this picture cracks me up, so I had to show it to you and give some back-story for it. Candace's end of the canoe is so far out of the water!

Big Tom and Candace