Alone in Appalachia: Uncle Nick Grindstaff Official Documentary
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- čas přidán 1. 09. 2023
- Appalachia's Storyteller: Alone in Appalachia #nickgrindstaff #appalachia #appalachian #appalachianhistory #appalachianmountains #appalachianstoryteller #storyteller #documentary #audiobook #audiobookfulllength #unclenickgrindstaff #appalachiantrail
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Story and Video by The Appalachian Storyteller - Krátké a kreslené filmy
In September of 1963, I was taken away from my Kentucky home in the foothills of Appalachia. I was 15 years old and was leaving everything I loved. Years later, when I took leave and returned home, everything looked different. Nothing and no one was the same as I remembered. So, I left again. I came back and left two more times. Time changes everything, even me. I bought my own house and land in the foothills of Appalachia and made my own home alone. As Judy Garland said, "There is no place like home". You did another wonderful job with this story.
Thank you so much ❤️
Truly a legend. Seems like his life is an example of how one should live their lives to the fullest; and even though we fall, the Lord gives us a hand to help us stand again. Amazing Story!
yup, I think a lot of people can see themselves in his journey thru life.
@@TheAppalachianStorytelleragreed
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller Yeah I sure do. Some hearts never quite mend the way others do, when the love of your life passes away.
Amen
What a journey, we never know what we'll endure before we leave here.
I feel the same. I lost my only child at the age of 28. So, I left the rat race, now I live on top of Ol Smoky, NC. I call it, “High Lonesome “. Sometimes people come back full circle, and only want to be around good folks. Thanks JD. You always make my day. More please 🙏
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Bless your heart. Someday you will be together again.
i'm sorry that u lost ur child.
Denise, Im sorry to hear about you losing your only child. That is every parents worst fear. I only have one child, and I can't tell you how many times Ive feared what you have lived. My Mother lost her first born, my older brother, in a terrible accident when he was 13 years old. It changed my life but it devastated hers... til this day she is forever changed. God bless you my friend.
It’s nice not to hear vehicles for weeks on end Hugh. Some people don’t even realize how chaos they go through each day. I hate going to town.🙃
I am the wilderness...great line.Thank you for this heartfelt story!I'm sure a lot of us here can identify.💗
Yes, that’s one of my favorite lines
My two sisters and I spent time in a orphanage in the 1960s and I can relate to the pain of not knowing, I live in Alabama but my heart will always be in those mountains of North Carolina witch we visit several times a year and hope retire there. Thanks for the time and effort you put into these videos.
Thank you , have a blessed day
A powerful story indeed. The only thing I will say is that he did not die alone, he had his faithful friend, Panter, next to him x
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Rest in peace Uncle Nick, you are not forgotten.
This video tribute was beautifully done, and the icing on the cake was the Gentleman who paid his respects in person and climbed that mountain to do it. Bless his heart as well. There's no doubt in my opinion, that Uncle Nick knew he was there honoring him.
Yes, what an incredible tribute by Ronnie (NCRidgeRunner) for the 100th anniversary of Uncle Nicks death
Beautifully done! My dreams to be in the mountains! Thank you for such a wonderful story we all hold dear the past that we all live! There's nothing in this world so dear to all of us than the great smoky mountains, our home!
Well said Sheila, have a blessed day my friend
Absolutely Beautiful job sir. Uncle Nick grindstaff touched my heart...i hike and climb the mountains around my home and i can see the iron mountain range from the top of any peak i climb....and uncle Nick wonders through my heart and mind....I love and appreciate this story of his life...thank you sir for your research and time telling this story. And i feel blessed and honored for you to let me be a part. Thank you sir
Thank
You Ronnie, appreciate you taking us all to visit uncle Nick
Thankfully I was cryin anyway. Thank you for the story of Uncle Nick! Absolutely what I needed tonight. When widowed and once the kids were raised, I ran back to the top of Blue Ridge. And Uncle Nicks story reminded me it’s our commonality by being “from these hills” . And the original song was beautiful as well. Thank you for being the Appalachian Storyteller
Bless you my friend
My situation is similar. Widowed and the children left the area. Wanted me to go with them, but my solace is the mountains I see. They are part of me until I die.
These stories are nothing short of amazing. Your work is absolutely priceless. Thank you for sharing these stories with us in such a glorious way. Your work helps these stories live on. Again, thank you.
Thank you Adam- Uncle Nicks story is one of my favorites I’ve ever written
Thank you JD, you have memorialized Uncle Nick for generations to come.
R.I.P. Uncle Nick Grandstaff
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Awww That last part really touched my heart, I admire that man for what he did, hiking up there to pay his respects. I saw on the memorial for Uncle Nick that someone had made a beautiful grapevine wreath and hung it there. And if you've ever made one you will know its not as easy and one would think. Thanks for retelling this story on the anniversary of his passing. Some day we will meet Uncle Nick, and I hope Panther too,
I saw the wreath too, and the small concrete patches on Nicks Grave that folks carried up in their backpacks to help maintain the grave. Beautiful and touching
Amazing story. You just keep telling them stories so they would never be forgotten. Kudos man and stay safe.
Thanks so much, Preciate the kind words and support
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller you deserve it.
Yes he does
Always loved this story. I've never heard it told this well. There are great stories from all over the world, but stories like this, especially when they've taken place in a person's home area, seem more special. Wisely and thankfully, rather than let the internet kill off old stories and replace them with modern nonsense, folks like you are using it to keep these stories alive. Thanks! 👏👍
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for your kind words
Nothing like bawling your eyes out on a Saturday morning lol. Great story! ❤
Thank you so much for watching, there's a powerful message embedded in this story
May none of us ever forget Uncle Nick and the lessons he taught us about life, and how you can indeed go back home.
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R.I.P. Uncle Nick
Gone but never forgotten
Thank you JD for another great story
Y'all stay safe out there 🙏
Have a great weekend Big Iron! Hope you are feeling well brother
Beautiful
Thank you Jay! Have a blessed day brother
OMG! This was a great story and the trip to his grave was icing on the cake. Thank you for your storytelling, and thank All That’s Holy for UTube, otherwise we would never know this. 🤗❤️🐝
Thank you Deborah, have a blessed day
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller You too🤗❤️🐝
Thank you JD , my husband and I enjoyed this story, and seeing uncle nick's burial site.
Life seems to take us in full circle and in the end of our traveling days brings us back home ,where their is truly no place like home .
Many thanks to you and the work you put into each story and video.
GOD BLESS.
ThNk you so much ❤️
I love these stories. They reveal what true humanity is all about. They go straight to the heart.
Your voice is a beautiful gift! Thanks for sharing it with us.
That's mighty kind of you, thank you so much for your support
A beautiful heartfelt tribute to truly a mountian man.😢
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So many life stories that are never been told! A tiny few reaches us thrue writers and storytellers. I appreciated this deep and sad story! Doreen was a gem!
I wanted to make sure Nicks story wasn't lost to time, Doreen was a keeper!
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller Keeper? You mean she had to be in the story?
I just mean she was everything to Nick
@@armageddon1403
What a wonderful, sad story. Thank you for that peek into Uncle Nick's life. He truly was a mountain man.
Thank you Pam
This channel has me so captivated. I almost feel like I was born at the wrong time.
Your videos are truly a blessing. So well put together. Honest and full of heart. I’m thankful I found your channel and I wish you well.
Thank you so much, I’m glad you are here
This story is how legends live on! It is a true testament of a good man keeping his story alive.
Yes, long live the legend, uncle Nick
Love the story, So sad it almost makes you cry but so heart felt
RIP Uncle Nick 💜
I cried the first time, and the second time App told it.
So 100 years later, Uncle Nicks story is travelling around the world to touch my heart in the middle of northern Europe.
This world is weird and wonderful both at the same time.
Thank you for sharing!
I am so happy you now know his story, im doing my best to make the world remember him.
It's been a long time since a video has moved me to tears. But this one did. Great job telling a story that I had never heard before. Rest in Peace Uncle Nick.
Thanks so much my friend, have a blessed day
JD, at the moment I'm on an ancient (20-yr-old) backup laptop which is on it's last legs. I tried to watch this but the laptop's sound is so bad I had to quit for now. But I saw enough to know (as if any proof was needed) that I'll really love it when my new laptop arrives.
same boat here man...mine not as old..i have no cell phone but i got this ol laptop and Love stuff like this......I live close to nick,s place. c ya and take care.
This is such a beautful story. Uncle Nick was a great man.
Yes he was, rest in peace Uncle Nick
OUTSTANDING!! What an awesome story about a man who died living his life in the only way he knew how.
Thank you! Rest in peace Uncle Nick, you are not forgotten
Thankyou for making Uncle Nick part of my soul I’ll never forget him
RIP Nick
Love this story! Gone but not forgotten
RIP Uncle Nick
Fascinating story JD. Love the follow up to it and actually, albeit by video, to be able to visit Nicks grave is, in a big way, an honor. Thank you sir.
thank you Tom, RIP Nick
Heartbreaking story and breathtaking views of my beloved Tennessee.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting Brenda, that really helps the channel and I appreciate you!
My heart hurts. I just cried for a man ive never met. In my heart i know him and his dog still roam them hills together
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What a story. Humanity never ceases to amaze me.
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JD... The love, compassion, and respect you show, to everyone you vlog about, is top notch brother. Keep 'em coming and we'll all be here to watch them when you post them! #WellDone #NickWouldBeProud #ThankYouForSharingTheseStoriesWithAllOfUs
That means a lot to me, I do my best to give a voice to folks almost forgotten
What a wonderful tribute to a free spirit.... thanks JD 😎👍
Thank you Kathy, have a blessed day my friend
First, I want to express my undying gratitude for the subscriber who had taken us along on his journey to pay respects to Uncle Nick, and his faithful companion, Panter.
Uncle Nick’s life story is inspiring, heartbreaking, and beautiful.
Thank you for sharing Uncle Nick’s life story with us! I highly doubt that Uncle Nick, along with his faithful companion, Panter, ever left that beautiful place.
RIP Uncle Nick, and Panter!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Well said, Toni. Have a blessed day
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller Thank you so very much, sir, for taking the time to read and respond to my comment.
I binge watched your videos, and many have brought tears; while others made my heart race with fear. I now have an amazing, wonderful and positive “addiction” in your channel, and your videos.
I cannot wait ( but I will with great anticipation) until the next phenomenal story of The Appalachia Mountains.
That was a truly a beautiful story. RIP Uncle Nick. Gone but not forgotten.
RIP Nick
Im not sure how this popped up on my feed but im bawling my eyes out! thank you for keeping those like Nick alive.
Thank you Kathy, and thank you for commenting. Feel free to check out some of my other stories.
will do!@@TheAppalachianStoryteller
What a great story. Thank you for sharing this man's life with us. I truly love your stories.
Thank you Ruby!
I loved the closing of this video. Especially the music. A great story. Thank you.
Thank you so much 😊
All it takes is hearing your opening music and I'm hook for at least 3 videos. Thank you for what you do JD. You touch lives.
I really appreciate that ❤️
JD, this is such a heart wrenching story. Uncle Nick you won’t be forgotten.
its a powerful story that really touched my heart as I wrote it. RIP Nick
Sir, for preserving, and retelling the history of a very distinct culture, unique to the world..many thanks
Thank you so much!
Uncle Nick….more friends in death than in life. Always remembered
very poignant point
Best story I’ve heard in many years! So poignant 😢
Thank you ❤️
Excellent storytelling .Brought tears.What an interesting man!Thanks for the share😘
Thank you Brooke, have a blessed day my friend
😍 I love this story! It brings about so many different emotions as the story is being told. And no one tells a story as good as you do JD!
Thank you Amy, this is one of the most powerful stories ive ever written
Thank You for this!! It’s very amazing how he endured so much and created his own Heaven on Earth in spite of the challenges.
I wish I could have known him
Me too!!
My jaw was on the floor the whole time. Amazing.
Thank you!
This is so poignant, a meaningful story. Thank you sir! Feels like home.❤
Thank you 🙏 have a blessed day
This story tore my heart out and at the same time filled it with glee. Seeing how it's sad This man lived his life in the best place in the earth
this is one my favorite stories ive ever written
I cannot send the amount of love and respect coursing through me right now.
❤️ we all love uncle Nick
Thanks again for sharing J.D., an amazing story, R.I.P.whatan incredible man& incredible dog
Thank you John
These stories have me romanticizing of living a life in a long gone era , they also make me realize how absolutely unprepared I would be for the reality of the daily toil and lack of modern comfort’s.
It was a different world back then
RIP uncle Nick and my mother who was born when he passed ❤❤❤
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I grew up in Indiana, enlisted in the Army after Sept. 11th when I was 22. Lived all over the place. But there in nowhere more beautiful than the mountains of Appalachia ! My grandparents and all my ancestors grew up in those ancient mountains. Every time i drive through or hike through those ol mountains I can feel my ancestors everywhere. My ancestors arrived here in 1601 in Virginia.
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Incredible story! Thank you so much. 👍🏻❤️
Thank you, have a great day
Beautiful story and tribute to Uncle Nick. Thank you
Thank you Janet
J.D. I simply don't have words to express the sheer wonder of this story! It was just wonderful before the Postscript but that was the "Bow on the Present " this left me in tears. I truly thank the Gentleman who hiked to Nick's gravesite.
❤️ this is on of my all time favorite stories I’ve ever written
Uncle Nick Grindstaff... 💗 Forever 💗
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Wonderful story. Nick lived the simple hard working life. Great story of a simple man
Thank you Larry!
My grandmother was a grindstaff. I still live up here in the same mountains as my family always have. Ive been up and down the eastern seaboard back when i worked but always knew i would come back home.
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❤❤Thank you sir for showing us this monument of Uncle Nick. And thank you younman for your great stories of Appalachia.❤❤❤
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Thank you, I could write many things about what this evokes in me, but at the end of the day, hearts always break, they are meant to, and love is the only thing that matters. No matter what it is we love. Beautifully told, love in action here 🇦🇺
Thank you so much ❤️
Another great story. And thanks for taking us along on the hike up to pay respects!👍
RIP Uncle Nick
Terribly sad and what fortitude! Rest in peace Nick
You are not forgotten
well said my friend!
Thank you so much for this story about Mr. Mick. A truely amazing story sir. God bless you and your family and friends...🙏❤🙏❤🙏
Thank you John, have a blessed day
Thanks!
Thank you for taking us along on this trip.
Rip uncle Nick
Lovely story. I'm sure a lovely man. So good to continue his memory. Thank you JD.
Thank you Melissa have a blessed day my friend
Beautiful story. His life story was carved into his grave stone.
Absolutely, I felt I had to use that word in the title as well
Once again....a truly powerful story.
I could say a thousand words... yet "Thank you, Sir, you have truly moved me x" sums it up.
Thank you xxxxx
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♥️♥️ excellent thanks JD🙏🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you Larry!
A beautifully narrated story that I shall never forget, this one struck a nerve with me, on behalf of all of us who follow this channel, my many thanks for bringing this story of Uncle Nick to life with a passion for details and so wonderfully put together! My mother was one year and five months old when Nick died, but I myself can visualize what he was like! Best wishes to all from Tennessee!
Thank you so much Sir, I appreciate your kind words and support
You have the best stories and the perfect voice to tell them with
Thank you Joan, have a blessed day my friend.
I also walk a lonely road......I truly enjoyed this story, JD. Take care and God bless ya friend.
Have a blessed day Scott
What a wonderful story. Thanks
Thank you Suzan!
I enjoy the Appalachia stories you share with us. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you ❤️
Great and moving story of uncle nick. Keep up the good work JD
Thank you, Carl. I’m glad you enjoyed this one. I think everyone can connect with Nick story just a bit.
This is so heartbreaking! I’m near tears. I’ve never heard such a heartbreaking story on your channel until this one. The music in the first part of the video was absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I hope you have a great weekend.
Thank you for listening to Uncle Nicks powerful story. #neverforget
The opening song 🎵 🎶 🎵 has so much Emotion to it. ❤️
Thank you!
This channel makes my heart glad. I come from a long line of porch sitters and story tellers, but now the old ones are gone. I am the old one now. So thank you so very much!
Peace and roses,
Deb the TN Scary Lady
Wow, that hits hard, thank you. I’m honored
Thank you for this touching story. My mother lived a similar life and it was her dream to return to the mountains in Virginia and dad moved her there before he passed and she lived there til she passed. Loved ole Panter. Such a loyal dog. Thank you for the ending . Brings back memories. Mama's last words to me was she seen me on a mountain here in Tenn. and I was calling out to her and she was answering me. I'll never forget that.
that's beautiful
I am late watching this I have been down sick. Love this story. I also was born in a snow storm in 1963.
Something about being born in a snowstorm
wonderful tribute to a great man . Although far removed , I can relate a lot to the strength and determination of our past settlers. JD once again you touch deeply the sentiment and heart through your narrative.
RIP uncle Nick
Great story such tragic life but he was in tune with the wildlife and his surrounding Thanks for sharing 👍♥️🗝️🇺🇸
Thank you so much my friend
Wonderful story. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you Rebecca!
Hello JD. Well, that was another amazing story. Sounds like old Nick led the life he wanted. Or more like the life that was dealt to him. Thanks for the bonus footage as well. Nice to pay homage to Uncle Nick. Take care. 🙏
Thanks Troy, stay safe out there
I really love the stories.
My mom was raised in the Ozarks of Arkansas. There aren't very many as stories. I really enjoy an love to hear bout stories from yall, Ozarks, or any mountain stories.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, have a blessed day
Thanks JD for another amazing story that brought tears to my eyes. Until next Friday be safe... Special ending to the video was much appreciated
Thank you Pinky, have a blessed day
Wow, what a beautiful story. Very very heartfelt. I've been on Iron Mountain several times around 3 yrs go, if I had only known of this story then. Thank u so much for sharing, I'll never forget it. Life has way of spreading ur wings flying off to other places, sites and destinations, guess it's lessons to be learned by others we meet, but always a purpose for it. We never know what they are most of the time, but he did his wing span and then came home.
well said, Lisa have a wonderful weekend my friend
i was 15 years old when i saw this for the first time my grandfather took me on a month long trip through the mountains an only now have i connected the dots.
That's awesome
JD You have some of the best stories brother I could listen to them all day long. I get to listening and in a short time it feels like I’m in the story going right along. Whether it be a gun fight or fist fight seems like I’m there to fighting right in the middle of it.
I do my best to put the listener IN the story
All of your stories are great JD. But, this one by far is the best. Both my family and my wife's family came from Appalachia and we are planning to return to the area once we retire. Thank you for your gift and sharing it with us. God bless
I really appreciate that, this is one of my all time favorite stories I've ever written.