This time thirteen years ago John and I made the decision to move from Florida to the mountains of North Carolina after 32 years of fantasizing being surrounded by the beauty that this area offers more than just a one-week summer vacation. We theorized that "life is short" so we had better go while we still had the energy and strength to hike, which was a major draw for us.
So in this "month of gratitude", I am incredibly grateful ~
* for the thousands of miles of trails that crisscross and wind around the Blue Ridge Mountains giving everyone the opportunity to experience the heart of these
mountains....and it is free!
*for the stewards that volunteer to maintain t
h
e
trails, making the
m passable and easier to navigate. Phot
ographed, an 80-something we came upon after a rather steep c
limb. I cannot even image carrying the tool up but husband/w
ife team maintain 3 miles of the M
TS trail system .... ama
zing.
*for group
s like Friends of the Smokies that fundraise and go in and
re-create trails that
have been severely damaged and build restroom facilities at trail heads :=).
*to have the strength and energy to take on the easy treks as well as the most challenging in all kinds of weather (mostly beautiful), all year long. This gratefulness growing each aging year.
*to s
hare our weekly, Sunday morning hikes with two
amazing
grandchildren (and an occasionally added awesome kid) ~
and their parents. These are the moments I cherish.
Hiking gives me a sense of peace and solace after working six days in the gallery and preparing to do it again on Monday. The sound of the water, the quiet of the woods, the smell of the richness of the soil and the fragrant trees .... for this I am grateful and feel blessed that this is now my "backyard".
I do not take all this for granted. Recently we went "home" to see the devastation of Hurricane Michael and the hiking woods that I grew up in, as well as my children and my grandchildren, that have been flattened. It will a very long time before the woods come back ..... not in my lifetime. In the meantime, I hope that all that have been touch by this "inconvenience" will find a s
pace that brings them calm.
Not so calm will be Waynesville in the following
weeks as we celebrate the holiday season. See listings be
l
ow
. I hope you will pay special attention to a
new event, the J
ingle Mingle on Saturday, December 15th as this year replaces first Friday Art After Dark. A family fun day is in the works culminating with Margaret Roberts in the ga
lle
ry to assist in our annual Christmas card making event. An
Elf Parade will be making its way down the sidewalk collecting the donations for cuddly wear for Seniors that merchants have been gathering.Waynesv
ille is magical during the holiday season. I hope that you can
experience the glow.
Wishing you a blessed holiday season. I hope you will take time out and calm yourself with a walk in beauty and embrace nature's gift to us.
Celebrating the Season ~ Carrie
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