Journey Through North Carolina – Part 29

by usathroughoureyes

Hello and welcome to part 29 of our journey through North Carolina.

Today’s journey was spectacular.  We left Galax, VA following route 58 west and onto the Jeb Stuart Highway.  This was some beautiful territory as we made our way across the “New River”  into Grayson’s Highland State Park and ascending the curvy narrow roads up Mt . Rogers which is part of the Blue Ridge Mountain range.  Mt. Rogers is the highest natural point in the Commonwealth of Virginia with a summit elevation of 5,729 feet above sea level.

As we ascended this beautiful roadway we came upon a scene we just couldn’t help getting out and explore.  It was a small church nestled at the foot of a hill near the community of Azen.  There, perched high on top of a construction lift painting the roof soffits was a man, Glenn, and below him sitting down under a tree was a woman, Renny, watching with a book on her lap.  The breeze was softly blowing and there was such a peace in the air.  As we strolled closer to photograph the moment, Renny, welcomed us to join in.  After some laughter, I forewent the Tom Sawyer invitation to paint and we began chatting.  The longer we chatted the more this lady began to share.  Come to find out when asked how life brought her to this small mountain town she laughed and began to tell us.  She mentioned studying at The University of Chicago, Division of the Humanities – Department of Linguistics where she was required to complete a research paper on the topic of the Appalachian region dialect.  She figured what better place to do the paper then to immerse herself into an Appalachian community.  Then she laughed the most wonderful laugh you could hear before saying… “and that was 40 years ago”.  There was a long pause as we looked at each other savoring the moment.  Seems to be the theme of a lot of folks as we journeyed through NC… they come for a visit and stay a lifetime.

Renny went on to talk about loving the area and community so much that upon graduating she moved to Azen.  It’s funny how fate and the hand of God works because upon her return she noted meeting a man, pointing up to the man on the lift.

Come to find out, that man on the lift, now her husband, was a commercial diver and he and a few buddies decided to take a break from their individual professions and tour the Appalachian Mountain region on their motorcycles.  Renny said after meeting Glenn it wasn’t long after they got married and bought a farm house in the area.  Some months after they had moved into their farm home they were unpacking boxes and her husband came across a box of maps he used in plotting the motorcycle route he and his buddies embarked on.  Suddenly she lit up with this wonderful smile noting that before he had left on the motorcycle journey he had prayed about a place to go live and casually plopped his finger down on the map and drew a big circle.  Come to find out that circle, was right there near Azen, VA.  Now if that don’t bring warmth to your heart then we don’t know what would.  We know it sure did touch us.  After spending a long time chatting it was now time for us to move on down the road to see where this road to Damascus would lead.

Well this is it for today.  We hope you come back and see how the trip unfolds as we share more of the USA Through Our Eyes.  Until then be safe.

usathroughoureyes

~ USA Through Our Eyes ~ Stories Told Through Words, Photographs, Videos and Sound

61 thoughts on “Journey Through North Carolina – Part 29”

  2. Thank you. We’ve been on break the past few months due to some wonderful things happening in our lives. We can’t wait to get back to share them and to catch up on everyone else’s travels and happenings! What a year it was!!!!!

    Liked by 2 people

  10. My son is happy with it, and I also. Nice that you have an other journey. I no for sure that the photos and videos very nice are to see and read the adventures. Warm greetings, Ann.

    Liked by 2 people

  15. The more I read about your travels through North Carolina the more I think I may just settle there myself, if I can work out the financial details involved. I’m more a big city girl, but I love to venture to nearby “small, quaint and beautiful” for balance. It seems as if North Carolina fills both bills.

    Thanks always for sharing your travels. Can’t wait to read about your recent adventures in Florida.
    xx,
    mgh
    (Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
    ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
    “It takes a village to educate a world!”

    Liked by 2 people

  18. So true Anne. We all need kind words of encouragement that fuel us in going out and exploring. Its amazing what we are capable of when kindness is extolled. You are always so kind in your words and we so appreciate it.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Hi there. Sorry for the delay in getting back with you but we were out on another journey and there was no internet. Yes, isn’t it something how events in life often circle around. We read the book by Bryson and viewed the movie called “A Walk In The Woods”. It was fabulous containing lots of truths about being on the trail. Its great when we meet folks that encounter such moments.

    Liked by 2 people

  20. Hi Ann. We are sorry for delay in getting back with you but we were out on another journey and their was no internet. It is so great that you are able to visit with your son now on a regular basis. We are sure he will agree too in being able to see you!

    Liked by 1 person

  22. that is spooky cool how the circled spot came back around (sometimes God really does show us how involved he is. eh?)
    and the motorcycle route thru the app trail must have been fun.
    there is a robert redford movie out about him hiking the trail – have you heard of it?

    Liked by 2 people

  28. Thank you for saying this Robbie. It amazes us how the people we meet along the way share with us so many things about their lives. We’re learning how to better capture those moments and share them with everyone. It seems to allow us to realize how much we all have in common.

    Liked by 2 people

  33. Thank you Anne. For many years fear was a controlling factor in our lives and as we face those fears we are realizing they really aren’t a factor. We are learning to live, dream and live and the feelings are great. You too can do it Anne and we’re rooting for you!!!

    Liked by 2 people

  40. Hi Ann. Sorry for the delay in getting back with you but we left for Florida last week and time has gotten away from us.. This couple, Glenn and Renny were such a delight to talk with and their story was one novels are written. Hope you are safe and please give Mandy an extra treat for us okay.

    Liked by 1 person

  41. Mary you are such a joy to hear from. We have been slow this past week getting back to you because we left for Tallahassee Florida last Friday and have been on the move ever since. We have been meeting folks that have weathered hurricane “Irma”. We love meeting folks and learning of their going through the storms of life with a positive attitude. Our joy and hope is to continue to add a little sunshine in your day! We know you add so much to ours!!!!!!!!

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  49. Oh my! What a wonderful story. If some of us weren’t so scared to take risks by upping and going, there would be more of those lovely stories. Ah, the problem with letting go and fear of the unknown instead of heading the call of adventure or letting fate lead us.

    Liked by 2 people

  56. I always get excited when I see a new post from you. The posts are always so positive and include awesome descriptions of the area and the people you meet along the way. I cannot begin to tell you how much you brighten my days.

    Liked by 1 person

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