Nice photo, huh? It was taken Monday right after DH and I had crossed the Mile High Suspension Bridge on Grandfather Mountain, the highest peak in the Smokies. Several other folks shared that moment in time with us, and we all had a grand time taking turns shooting pictures of each other. The experience reminded me of a quote I once saw on a dining room hall at Girls’ Camp: “We may never walk this way together again.” And ’tis probably true, for I doubt that I’ll ever encounter those couples from Mississippi, Alabama, or Boone, NC again. But wow…what a great day and weekend.
Sunday morning we eased out of town around daybreak and headed for the mountains of western North Carolina. We shied away from the interstate and opted instead for the scenic route, a decision that allowed us to see parts of the countryside that reminded us that there is indeed a slower, more bucolic and peaceful lifestyle than the busy, almost frantic hustling and bustling that characterize so many of our days…and perhaps yours too.
This weekend was especially memorable for a couple of reasons, and the mountain getaway was the frosting on the cake. First, I had the opportunity to go the temple on Saturday with my future daughter-in-law, her family, and my son. Being in that holy place reminded me of all of the beauties of this earth and of our Creator’s hand in the hills, valleys, streams, rocks, rills, deer, blue skies, hawks, daffodils, and mountain laurel (for starters). As DH and I wound around and around the mountain roads and paths, I found myself thinking repeatedly of my temple impressions. I said, “Wow, look at that,” so many times that I began to sound like a broken record.
The second reason that the weekend was so memorable is because it marked the end of my tenure with the state of SC (for one day, Monday) and my rehiring by the same state agency on Tuesday. As a TERI employee fortunate enough to be rehired in my same position, a day of separation was necessary. Where better to spend it than on top of the world with DH by my side?
mom's musings 
I absolutely love this picture!!!!!!!!!!
This is a great photo of a very memorable event!
Love It!!!
Thanks Ladies! That means a lot coming from two great photographers such as you two. I truly don’t have the words to describe how awesome the whole experience was, especially after the temple trip. We’re truly in this world but not of it. Now if I can only remember that….
Ok, kudos for the use of ‘bucolic’! Good thing they hired you back; there are tons of students who have never been exposed to ‘bucolic’ before. 🙂
You’re so right. I love words, and I can tell that you do too. It’s so amazing to think about how arbitrary arrangements of 26 little symbols can have such a powerful effect.
I love this picture!!! and I always love reading your website…Very interesting thoughts.
just curious…Will you be running the Cooper River Bridge??
Thanks Cindy. And yes, I’m doing the Bridge again this year–walking and jogging a little, not running. In fact, I got my package today and am getting excited about the event. My mother’s birthday is April 5, and three of her four children are going to participate in memory of her. Corny maybe, but we’re doing it anyway.
two things, thanks so much for your xomment to nosufgirl on beck’s talk, the other, i like your blog and i have been to boone, my daughter lives in ashbrough, and i have hiked into the mile high suspention bridge and stayed in a cabin at black forest by the so. carolina border..they are good mormons and he is a dentist in ashbough…
This is so cool! I love hearing about people who have visited the Carolinas and had a good experience. Isn’t that bridge awesome? I hope to go back there and perhaps stay in a cabin just as you did. I’ll have to look into the Black Forest.
black forest campground near brevard
p.s. i also like “i believe in chris” words and lyrics and tune, i guuess i said one of those things twice