Grandfather Mountain, Linville, NC

 

Grandfather Mountain, located in Linville, NC, is full of great things to do in the fall. Animal Habitats and Nature Museum, hiking, and of course they are famous for the Mile High Swinging Bridge. Fall is the best time to come because of the October trees are dressed in their best glorious colors. The Mile High Swinging Bridge attracts thousands of visitors each year. It is hard to take that first step, but when you do, you see a 360-degree panoramic view from the mile high elevation. It is hard to take that first step; you ask yourself if you are crossing it for the challenge, for the scenery or to admire the fact that some engineers could build such a thing. But you take that first step, and it is the right decision.

You stand on that bridge, and it swings slowly in the breeze, and you realize that you are not afraid. You took that first step and it led you to see something beautiful. Having faith is like taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole bridge until you are actually out in the middle of it. There were some on the bridge that took that first step and froze in place and could not seem to continue on the journey. But how will you know if it’s the right decision to step out if you never make that decision to move forward on the bridge?

I learned from The Mile High Swinging Bridge that our eyes are in front because it is more important to look ahead than to look back. Everything you want is on the other side of fear.

Make it a September to Remember

I recall a September long ago, when life was so much simpler. We had no air conditioner in our house, the windows were opened and a hint of a cool breeze floated into the house. That first smell of autumn. Another smell of September was the smell of notebook paper, chalk and pencil shavings and new crisp books. We had a large maple tree whose leaves were like fire in the sunlight. When those leaves fell, there must have been thousands. The smell of leaves being raked and the smell of leaves burning as my dad caught them on fire – along with the smell of his cigar that he only smoked while riding a lawnmower or burning leaves. It was a smell that progress was moving on. September, thanks for the reminder that change CAN be beautiful if we look at it through positive eyes. A new month, new chapter, new page, new wishes, that gives us courage, strength, confidence, patience, and inner peace. May every day in September fill our days with hope, love, sunshine, energy, joy, fun and laughter.