by our Roving Reporter

Usually, our mid-week Over-The-Hill Tours are a tour involving a scenic route and a stop or two at scenic or historical locations. Occasionally, we visit a vehicle collection or car related business. Something horsepower related. Lunch is also almost always on the docket. A significant number of the LBCs we drive have horsepower ratings that range from barely adequate through just enough at least for today’s roads, although there are exceptions.

Thursday, March 23rd, sixteen of us did two of the three usual things. One, a drive along scenic curving LBC roads to our destination followed by two, lunch, this time at an Italian restaurant. The difference this trip; our stop was at a business dedicated to outfitting a one horsepower transportation device. Yup, the horse. Specifically, western show horses. Harris Leather and Silver Works in State Road, NC is a family run business specializing in saddles and other tack Items. They also provide custom silver trimmed items: knives, money clips and buckles all intricately engraved. See their website https://harrisleather.com for details.

We were fortunate to be given a tour of the facilities by Phil Harris one of the two sons of founders Mabelene and Ralph Harris. Phil, the saddle maker, explained the processes involved in creating a saddle from the back up, so to speak. He also showed us through the rest of the facility where the other tack items are hand crafted by skilled employees many of whom have been with the company for 20 plus years. Phil’s Brother Eddie is the Silversmith, who makes and oversees the production of the silver products and decorative work that adorns the leather. As with the saddles, all of the silver-work is created on site from their own castings, sheet silver and gold. The craftsmanship is exquisite and we were fortunate to be given the opportunity to observe the creation of unique handcrafted products.

Father and Son (left) and The CVBMC attendees (right)