I made it back home last night from a 3 day, 2 night trip to Cherokee, NC. It was a much needed, long awaited getaway with me, myself and I. For those that don’t know, Cherokee is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It doesn’t matter what you are doing or where you are going up there, the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. I could gladly stay and never return.
I left home at 2am Thursday morning to start the 4 hour drive. It could have been my imagination but it seemed the steeper and more winding the roads, the lighter my soul felt. I arrived in the mountains in the middle of a storm. Very apropos for those that know me. Not gonna lie, it was a bit intimidating winding the mountain roads in the dark in the middle of a torrential downpour. It was also exhilarating! Streaks of lightning illuminating the looming shadows of the mountains that you could not see otherwise, tho their presence could be felt. I felt alive and at peace in a way that I cannot describe, you just have to know.
I made it to my destination right as the sun fully rose. The rain slowed to a moderate drizzle. I spent the next 9 hours climbing up and down mountain paths in search of waterfalls. I went to Mingo Falls & Soco Falls.
I interspersed the climbing with unmeasured moments simply sitting and absorbing the beauty around me or snapping photos.
By the time I made it to my hotel to check in, I was pleasantly exhausted. I showered, ate supper and was asleep before 6pm, which is no small feat for me. I managed over 12 hours of solid, much needed rest.
I started my second day with a tour of Oconaluftee Indian Village. This is a 1/3 scale representation of Cherokee history and tradition. I found it very informative if a bit saddening. My guide did make a Lord of the Rings reference that made me fall in love with her immediately. 🥰
My body was sore in all the best ways after my first day’s adventures so I spent the rest of my second day driving up and down the mountain via the Blue Ridge Parkway. As a country girl that loves riding dirt roads and back roads, this was one step up and wholly exhilarating.
The rest of my time was spent relaxing at the hotel and swimming in the pool. I meandered my way home yesterday. Ate lunch by a mountain stream. Arrived back home with a sense of peace and accomplishment. I washed some things clean in the mountain streams. I let go of things that had latched onto my soul in a parasitic embrace. I found joy again in being alone. I feel calmer and more capable. My temper has simmered down. My patience is more. I rediscovered what I’ve always known but needed reminding of: I’ve got this.
P.S. The spiders are still making an appearance on a daily basis. 😊
