Ruth Graham - June 14

Ruth Graham – June 14

After a mostly quiet day back at the house, we tuned on the news at night. The leading story was the death of Ruth Graham (wife of evangelist Billy Graham). They lived not far away.

Grandfather Mountain - Asheville, NC

Grandfather Mountain – Asheville, NC

June 12 & 13 (Tues.- Wed.)

I had thought I would stay back at our room to catch up on some quiet reading while John drove off to Grandfather Mountain (about 2 hours away) for each of two days of woodcarving instruction by accomplished character carver Tom Wolfe.

However, why not combine them? The shop/studio was above the gift shop on top of Grandfather Mountain. I had climbed the mountain several years ago, and beside the spectacular views, my most vivid memory is later realizing that the fog next to my feet at certain places along the ascent was actually cloud at the open edge of the mountain. There had been nothing next to my feet. Grandfather Mountain was also the scene of Tom Hanks running up the mountain and running down the mountain in the movie, Forrest Gump. Driving those hairpin turns would be no less an adventure than on foot. And, it is beautiful!

Mountaintop Reading

I read three rather short books on loan:

- Cape Town

- District Six and

- Voices from Robben Island.

I also began Desmond Tutu’s No Future Without Forgiveness.

Mountaintop experiences

First, picture a parking lot on the top of a mountain. Then, consider that the mountain is big enough to handle it. It is not ruined.

Sights ranged from immense to immediate. I could see a magnificent view, even from the car, of the valley and of higher rocks and of Mile-High Bridge (above sea level). But when I stepped out, a slate-colored junco flew over practically at my feet. Not far away were flowers I had wanted to see since viewing North Carolina tourist material about 20 years ago, rhododendrons in bloom on the mountainside (thanks to being there in June!). The more delicate mountain laurel and the (orange) flame azalea were also in bloom.

I walked across the Bridge a couple times and down some trails, but did not wander too far off. Conscious of available time, I easily offered to take tourists’ photos so their whole group could be together. Once, they offered, since I was alone, to return the favor and take my picture. I declined, starting to explain that my husband was actually inside… But I changed my mind, and there is now a very nice photo of me sitting on a rock (on our site Photo page), which was taken by some very nice tourists from….I think some faraway place.

Both days were beautiful and sunny and clear, but also had moments of clouds rolling across the mountain and down into the valley, bringing some badly needed rain, though “not enough”. Once, in a quiet reading moment, I thought stones were falling on the car. (We were parked by a rock-overhang, so it could be….) But no, that was the sound of hail.

I practiced using the new camera (finally, James), both of mountain views (most of the Grandfather Mountain shots on the Photo page are mine) and of the carving lesson in the studio. Tom Wolfe, the carver, had some great stories and one-liners and I so wanted to capture a moment of his quick laughter. Oh, I loved his laughter! But not being a “real” photographer, aiming and clicking the camera were not even second nature for me. There is a shadow of a smile in one of my pictures, if you look close.

Maybe I will have to go back to see him.

Note to self:

1) Reapply sunscreen.

2) Wear hat.

(My face hurt for three days….took me a while to realize it was burned.)