Trip to the Mountains

I'm trying to catch up on blogging as it has taken a back seat over the last few weeks due to midterm paper writing.  However...

  I want to share with y'all (learning the lingo!!) about my weekend up in the mountains from a few weeks ago.  I was staying in North Carolina with friends of mine Amy and Tim and family (daughter and dog!).  Those of you with connections with what was the Newbury and Hungerford Methodist Circuit will remember that Amy was minister of the churches in Thatcham and Kingsclere for a year and Tim was minister in the Reading and Silchester Circuit.  Amy very kindly drove down to pick me up, and then drove me back at the end of the weekend as well (probably more understandable for her to be keen to drive me home!).  This really highlighted the difference in British and American culture as I would consider driving 2 and a half hours each way twice in a weekend a lot of driving, but Amy seemed to take it all in her stride.  It was definitely a welcome break from studying and from city life in general.  The season of Fall seemed to be reaching its peak (or fairly close to it) and so the colours of the leaves were beautiful.

  On the Saturday, after visiting Tim's college where he works, we journeyed back over the state border into Georgia and went to Brasstown Bald.  This is the highest peak in Georgia at 4,784 feet.  Thankfully we were able to drive most of the way up and then hiked the last bit.  After looking round the small museum in the visitor centre we climbed the last few stairs to the top of the lookout point.  It was a clear day and we could see into 4 different states (Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee).  Looking out over the mountains and the forests was awe inspiring - and I could almost imagine living here.  But fear not British readers (or, I suppose, fear - if the thought of me living over here is an attractive one), I'm not actually planning on moving over permanently!!  

  On the way back to North Carolina we stopped at Dairy Queen for a Blizzard ice cream which was apparently a cultural experience not to be missed - and it didn't disappoint.  The range of flavours really was impressive - there was certainly more than a choice just between chocolate, strawberry and vanilla!

  On the Sunday we went to their local Methodist Church where they had a 'note-burning' ceremony.  This was to commemorate and celebrate the fact that they had paid off the debt on their new sanctuary building.  In just 10 years they had managed to complete the payments on their beautiful sanctuary.  It also meant that the building could be dedicated now that the debt was paid off.  It was great to be part of this celebration.

  After lunch on the Sunday it was time to make the journey back to the city.  But not before one more stop in the Appalachian Mountains to have a last look at the view!  All in all a great weekend, thanks to my friends in North Carolina!