Some define home as the four walls where they eat, sleep, and store their wares, but for me and a small collection of the rurally kissed the term is more abstract. The places where we find comfort in our hearts, peace in our spirits, and order in our souls are where we call home! It is not so much a place as a collection of places and the state of mind that accompanies them. Some of the rurally kissed are more specialized and find home at narrowly defined locations like waterfalls, landscapes, and deep within the bowels of Mother Earth, but I am loosely constricted and find home anywhere in the midst of unsettled nature. I find peace while looking over a landscape; serenity when accompanied by the melody of a waterfall; freedom when perched on the edge of a high precipitous; and peace within the deep reaches of a dark cavern. My home is environed by pieces and parts of all these heavenly grounds! When I must reside in a normal humanly house like most, I consider myself away on business. Generally, I return home on average of two to three times per week; however, during the last 10, I was home for 6 glorious days. Though I worked hard while home, my inner spirit found comfort in the surroundings and with the decor! When I am at home, my surroundings and all its inhabitants work with me. We are equals and share a common abode. In the bipedal community it is every man for himself. Connectedness gives away to chaos, and meaningless cliques of opportunity arise out of a necessity to trample and mold the scape. Absolute loyalty exists rarely in the civilized world and in most cases only when ulterior opportunities present themselves! Thursday before last, I found home in the Linville Gorge and her surrounding areas. Accompanied by Gavin Couch, we visited Ship Rock, Rough Ridge, Linville Falls, and Duggers Creek. Friday and Saturday I was away on business. I returned home again on Sunday and Monday. During this stay, home was within the wild confines of Clarks Creek, Margarette Falls, Upper and Lower Bailey Falls, Red Fork Falls, and Laurel Falls. While convolescing during this stay, I met fellow members of the rurally kissed, Ronnie Phipps, Barry Cole, Justin Tennessee Hopkins, and Joshua Rhea for the very first time. As a group, we were also blessed with the company of host Jason Horton and fellow hiker Kenneth Woody. Responsibilities and human connections again called me away on business Tuesday and Wednesday, but on Thursday I was lucky enough to find my way back home and to the Linville Gorge. This stay afforded time and opportunity to wander on the summits of both Hawksbill and Table Rock Mountain; hang from some of the amiable rocks of Rough Ridge; and to wade in the cool mountain waters of Duggers Creek while listening to the melody of her relaxing collection of falls. Aside from the greatness of being home, I was also able to share the beauty of my house with my daughter Ptolema. On Friday I was again called away on business; but when Ms. Kitty Myers and Mark Lackey offered me the opportunity to return home again on Saturday, I was quick to strap in and head for the beauty that is Western North Carolina. This trip home allowed me to spend time at 6 of Western Carolinas finest falls and some of the most beautiful cliffs and crags that I have ever seen! Sunday was more of the same except home was in and around both Wilson and Cabin Creek in the gorgeous boundaries of Grayson Highlands State Park. During this brief period of home, I shared my house with Mark and Kenneth! For the time being, I am again away on business, but I am greatly looking forward to returning home on Saturday with fellow member of the rurally kissed Jason Horton! He hasnt disclosed the location of our home as of yet, but his selection of abodes are rarely rivaled by anyone! For now, I must attend to business, but I will be home soon! Ooo-Rah!
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 17:12:58 +0000
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