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Have you ever felt a special connection to a place? Have you ever felt like you’re standing in a place that, for some in-explainable reason, pulls you into it from some deep place within yourself? A place that makes your soul feel alive and free?

Isn't that the most beautiful feeling in the world?!

That is the feeling I felt when I experienced the Blue Ridge Mountains for the very first time, more specifically, Maggie Valley. I don't know if it was that culmination of extraordinary events that led to this feeling or the mountains themselves, but they had a powerful effect on not only me, but my whole family. Ummmm, it was magical!

I wrote about this first experience in my John Denver story (pretty amazing!) as we were forced to leave our town due to an environmental emergency: Source

Mid morning, the landlord came over to visit. She was an interesting older woman with long, white grayed hair. Quite beautiful. She had an air of refinement and grace to her that made her seem to hold a great deal of life experience and history behind her blue eyes. She was very well-spoken and very kind with an elder-wise, intelligent voice that projected outward as she spoke. Yet, there also seemed to be an independent and very reserved aspect to her personality. Loner. I remember thinking to myself, "Wow, I bet this woman has quite a story to tell." As if, by some strange coincidence of thought-reading, she smiled at me and then turned her eyes to our children now running back and forth across the expansive floor giggling. Then she said, (as if in deep thought herself) "You know...this isn't just any ordinary cabin. It has a history. It's very special to me and I've had it for a very long time." She paused between thoughts as if reflecting back to another time with affection, "This was John Denver's secret place where he came and spent much of his time relaxing and writing songs." Her face now glowing with happy memories, her eyes reliving what her heart cherished.
John Denver ??
"Anyway...." she concluded, "stay as long as you like and enjoy this cabin. You might like to visit John's bio-dome that he built by hand." She walked to the window and pointed out its location with pride and then laughed, "It took him ten years to build it, but he was determined to build it himself."

As it turned out, we stayed an additional day and played on the land that John Denver once played on!

This accidental trip to the twilight zone and magic of the Blue Ridge Mountains along with seeing our children run free and full of wonderment left us with a residual mountain high!

Being enveloped by these cloud wreathed mountains left our hearts pierced by their power and alchemy. Maybe it was that dose of fresh mountain air but more than anything, we all felt so alive! It was as if there was an energy in those mountains that was so very healing - both physically and emotionally. It would leave a permanent imprint on us all...ever drawing us to them year after year.

On this beautiful day, we spent two hours climbing to the top of this awe-inspiring mountain top eating blackberries along the way. It was covered with thousands of butterflies and wildflowers!

I captured the feeling of this day in a poem:

I open my eyes to see her
misty mountain crowned with twilight

And she sings to me a lullaby
Gently whispering twirling flight

My beautiful Mother warm with time
is dropping rainbows in my eyes!

I can't think of a more beautiful experience than spending a day hiking in nature, watching your childrens' eyes light up with each new discovery.

"A Child's Smile"
Is but the child's smile that frees us of our chains
the innocent slumber of newness, a flower yet to be seen

But all the while growing it's beauty deep inside
With each clever magical wonder it climbs

Oh that beautiful stillness that comes with being surrounded by these mountains. It frees the mind and becomes a collaborative dance of the spirit of omnipotence. To simply 'be' present in the moment.

Besides the obvious tantalizing taste of heaven, these mountains are steeped with stories and traditions that are passed on from generation to generation. It's like walking back in time. You find your senses filled with the art and music of yesteryear.

The tradition of ballad singing:

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Bluegrass, folk music (mountain music!):

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Over the years, our story, too, has been tightly woven in the tapestry of these mystical mountains.

We have visited many villages, enjoyed the abundance of organic farms (which are plentiful), hiked many mountains and played in many of the waterfalls that grace this region - every trip brings new adventures, new experiences, new memories.

What more could you want?

Chocolate!

https://www.frenchbroadchocolates.com/

Not just any chocolate! Chocolate handmade with love and pure mountain spring water. I swear it's magic!

Some of the beautiful towns and villages that we have enjoyed over the years:

Maggie Valley: Source
Black Mountain: Source
Hendersonville: Source
Madison County: Source
Asheville: Source
Candler: Source

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How grateful I am to have such a special place in which our memories play like laughter, echoing the love in these mountains.

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This is an original video created with our children's laughter (at the mountains) with original photograph.

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This was a writing challenge chosen by @magicalmoonlight - I want to thank her for such a wonderful topic that brought me much joy in writing. I'd also like to highlight the fact that she is such a good person ;)

I truly appreciate your kindness and good will. So happy to share this last round with you, @magicalmoonlight xo