Easter Morning

Rising before the sun, I quietly scramble around in the dark, so as not to wake my husband, and slip on warm clothes and my boots.  There's a drizzly rain and I'm thinking it's not going to be a nice morning for a sunrise service.  Yet, this has become my Easter tradition and I don't want to miss out on it because of a little rain. 

The cloud cover is thick and it's darker outside than I expected.  I turn on the flashlight on my phone and start climbing the mountain.  I know Jump Off Rock is at the top, but other than the dog trail that the goldens have blazed, there isn't a real trail to follow.  I just keep walking and use the umbrella to push away the spiderwebs and hold back the occasional briars I encounter. After a few minutes, with my elevated heart rate, I step onto a section of the Jump Off Rock trail and the hiking becomes much easier.  It's still eerily dark, and when I make it to the top, I see a group of about fifty other pilgrims who've also journeyed to the top of this mountain to worship and sing Easter morning praises.  

I don't know the pastor who is leading the service, or her denomination.  It matters not, it's her message that I love.  Her message about the miracle of Easter morning, about the women who were the first to see the empty tomb, about the apostles who doubted their message.  Scripture is read - "Why seek ye the living among the dead?", and we sing Christ the Lord is Risen Today.  That one thing may be what lures me up the mountain in the dark each year.   Raising my voice with others to sing about the empty tomb from a mountain top is a choice experience.      

After the service, folks wander back to their cars, but I take my time walking back down the mountain.  I explore the trails around the rock and am in awe of the beauty.  I was wrong when I thought the rain would prevent me from enjoying the service.  I don't need to actually see the sun shining to know that it has risen. 

These large boulders made me feel as though I was near the garden tomb, searching for Jesus.

The raindrops on the budding trees, 

these little wildflowers,

and this flowering tree in the mist remind me of new life that Easter brings.  

As I head down the mountain, I turn around and see these trees in the mist, and am so grateful I made the trip.  I think they are magnificent and a reminder to sink deep, strong roots of faith into my life.  

I worked to climb the mountain, having faith that I knew the way, even though my vision was challenged.  I was rewarded with a spiritual experience on the mountain top.  Now I can see clearly how to get home.   

I take a handful of flowers from the yard to Micah's place and spend a little time praying and reflecting on the blessing of the resurrection and the promise of eternal families.

In a few hours we will sit together in church and partake of the sacrament.  Oh, it is wonderful, that He should care for me enough to die for me.   I love that we partake of the sacrament each week, having the opportunity to renew our covenants and remember our Lord's sacrifice, but Easter Sunday sacrament is the best!

Back at home, the table's set and ready to welcome the family that can be here with us.  The feasting on the Easter meal is a continuation of the celebration that started much earlier in the day, when I trekked up the mountain in the dark.  Jesus has brought his light into my life and now I will try to share it with those I love.  It is such good news.

Roan Mountain State Park

We travelled an hour and a half to get to this trailhead, on the North Carolina, Tennessee line, which is farther than we usually go, but was well worth the travel time!  The sun was out, but it was cooler than I expected, and after last's weeks warm hike, I wasn't as prepared as I should have been for the higher elevation. Thank goodness for kind hiking companions who loaned me some extra layers.  I'm still learning how to pack my bag to cover all the weather conditions.  

We hiked through beautiful woods, with footbridges and small streams. 

This was our first peak through the trees at a long range view.

At the top of the mountain, we stopped at the Cloudland Hotel Site.  

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

It looks like this now, but at one time there was an amazing hotel here.  It was built in the late nineteenth century and dismantled in 1927.  From the information board I learned this three story resort catered to pleasure seekers as well as people trying to get relief from hay fever.  The hotel straddled the Tennessee- North Carolina line and had a stripe painted on the floor through the middle of the dining room, showing where guests could legally drink alcohol and where they couldn't.  In Tennessee it was legal, while in North Carolina it was not.  Guests relaxed in rockers on the wide porches, enjoyed bowling, croquet or golf on the grounds.  They dined on three sumptuous meals a day, all for $2 a day or $10 a week.

Today we dined on trail food and enjoyed the same view.

The Cloudland Trail led us to some amazing views from Roan High Bluff.

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

Our hiking group today.

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

We hiked down the AT and stopped by the Roan High Knob Shelter, which is the highest elevation shelter on the entire AT.

Autographs on the shelter.

This trail leads to grassy balds and more amazing views.

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

View of Little Hump and Big Hump in the distance.

Taking a little rest.

That top of the world feeling!  Another great day on the trail.

*Take the time goal #16 - Participate in as many Friday hikes at possible.

Linville Gorge

We drove east today, towards Marion and then bumped our way along a dirt road for miles before landing at the trailhead.  It was warm enough to shed jackets before we took one step.  Whohoo! Spring certainly was in the air.  Even though it was overcast for much of the hike, the sun made an appearance on our descent from the mountain and I ended up with a nasty sunburn.  Time to put sunblock in the backpack.

We hiked up the mountain on a rocky trail for the first mile or so.  Lots of switchbacks, with views of scrubby brush and burned tree trunks from a fire in 2002 and 2007.  

As we climbed, we could turn behind us to see the lovely views of Lake James.

We hiked on Shortoff Trail and part of the Mountain to the Sea.

The Linville Gorge is sometimes called the Grand Canyon of the East.  It is breathtaking, but I think that might be an optimistic description.  Here's a view of Hawksbill Rock in the distance.

(Photos Courtesy of Julie Eargle)

We hiked across the ridge and into some forested areas.  Check out these interesting pine cones. 

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

We came upon a rare mountain bog, teeming with tadpoles.

I was surprised to spot this pussy willow in bloom.  It's one of my favorite spring plants.

Another fantastic lunch view.  

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

New growth after the fire.

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

Looking down into the Linville Gorge.

And one last view of Lake James, because it's so beautiful.

What a great day.  I say this after every hike.  I've come to look forward to my Friday hiking adventures, knowing that I will see something beautiful in God's creations, learn something new that will inspire me from my hiking friends and give my body a good workout, while allowing my spirit to rest and recover from the stresses of daily life.  It's a combination that can't be beat.

* Take the Time goal # 16 - Participate in as many Friday hikes as possible.

Green River Cove Trail

The Green River Cove Trail is a hop, skip and jump from my house.   I love this about our hiking club!   My eyes are being opened to the beautiful trails that have been hidden to me, only because I didn't know they were there.  It makes me wonder what else I'm missing.  Exploring in your own neighborhood is a good idea!  Having a wonderful guide to help you see what you might miss on your own is valuable as well.  Thank you, Julie!

This trail was long, but not difficult.  An in and out trail, some climbing (but not too much) and lots of river views.  We hiked about eight miles today.

We crossed several streams at the beginning of the hike.

We started up high and worked our way down by the river.

The woods in March look like this.

I love hiking with this lady!

The river was beautiful.

Going up.

We watched a couple of kayakers making their way down the river.

(Photos courtesy of Julie Eargle)

Wonder what lives in here?  Hobbits?

You never know what you might find while walking in the woods.

So many boulders.

A few of my hiking buddies.

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

Today's lunch view from one of those big rocks.

(Photo Courtesy of Julie Eargle)

It was a fantastic day.  Regular time spent in the woods is good for the soul.

*Take the Time goal #16 - Participate in as many Friday hikes as possible.