From Sea To Shining Sea

Sunrise Edition

An unexpected occurrence took shape this spring; we watched the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean and got our feet wet in the Pacific Ocean, all within a month’s time. We’d had a road trip scouted out for mid-April for quite awhile, then the opportunity arose, providentially to visit G’s sister L. and her family in Oregon accompanying his sister C. and our brother-in law H. Two different coastlines, two very different trips, but two equally wonderful experiences.

Our April road trip took a path of an awkwardly shaped oval, taking us through Ohio, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky then home. This trip was reminiscent of trips we would take with the kids when we would combine nature adventures and big city escapades in an effort to make everyone happy. Everyone was happy on this trip, but it’s easier to please 2 than 5.

Our first destination was Twin Falls State Park, located in Mullens, West Virginia. But even before reaching the lodge we took a side trip to New River Gorge Bridge found in Lansing, WV which is located within the boundaries of New River Gorge National Park, established in 2021. Once realizing how close we would be passing to this tourist area we decided to add it to our itinerary as a brief stop. It did not disappoint. The bridge view is amazing. It took three years to build and was completed in 1977. Before its completion it was very difficult to get from one side of the gorge to the other, needing to ascend and descend winding narrow roads. The bridge spans 3,000 feet in length and is 876 feet tall, and according to online info, it’s “the 2nd largest single span steel bridge arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere.” The New River itself is one of the oldest on the continent, over the years carving the deepest and longest gorge in the Appalachian Mountains. It’s a very popular white water rafting destination. We opted to stay on terra firma, instead taking in the sights from the trails from high above the river.

We had one full day to explore Twin Falls State Park. Our first hike took us toward the Pioneer Farm. We expected a recreated show farm but was surprised to learn that this is actually someone’s home that is open to the public to hike to and to view from the fence perimeter. While visiting with the gentleman that lives there with his family, we learned from him that this is his dream come true, to manage and live on this small farm. He seemed quite genuine that he’s appreciative to be living his dream; the area was certainly idyllic.

Our second goal for the afternoon was to locate the twin falls, which without much help from signage we finally located. The first was easy enough to find, being right off the main trail, but the second took some interesting navigating through a little taken path, often we wondered if we were to really be where we were. Being early in the season, we pretty much had the place to ourselves making the hike uncrowded and quiet.

The next morning we heading to Beckley, West Virginia to visit an exhibition coal mine and museum. We took a mini train tour into the coal mine. Our tour guide was a retired coal miner and we were accompanied by a class of third graders on a field trip so that made the trip all the more interesting. After the obligatory stop in the gift shop we were then on the road for our second destination, the suburbs of Raleigh to have a visit with our Goddaughter J. and her husband Z. It was great to catch up with them and to meet their Golden furbabies, Dutch and Kody. We did not plan to do any sight seeing in the Raleigh area, so the next morning we were off and on our way to the Myrtle Beach area.

39 years ago G. & I honeymooned at the Myrtle Beach State Park and we were looking forward to seeing the area again. Funny thing, nothing looked familiar. We chalked it up to the area being battered by storms over the last 4 decades and new development springing up. But we still had fun reminiscing. We may not have had the familiar sights but we still have the shared memories of our first days of married life and in the end that’s what’s important and lasting.

Another reason why Myrtle Beach was an important destination for us is because we were looking forward to reuniting with friends who moved from Z’ville to Pawley’s Island several years ago. Our friend became ill and was unable to visit so we sadly had to adjust our plans. I am hopeful that our paths cross soon R.!

We were treated to a couple sunrises over the Atlantic, a peaceful lazy beach day, and a walk through the state park during our two day stay at the ocean. Then it was time to hit the road for our most southern destination, Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah is rich with history, a very interesting area. We toured by water and trolley and felt as if we got a good feel for the area. Reading Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil, and learning about the recent movies that have been filmed in the city added a nice element as we walked the quaint neighborhood Squares looking for familiar scenes from movies.

Our next destination was Amicalola Falls State Park located in northern Georgia in the town of Dawsonville. I’ve had this park on a wish list since crossing paths with a couple on one of our early hikes last year in Indiana. The lady had on a sweatshirt from Amicalola and I asked her about it and she raved about this lodge perched atop a mountain. Fortunately the park fell within our travel circuit and I added it to our itinerary. OH MY GOSH! So beautiful. The views from the lodge are breath taking. When we pulled the blinds back in our room and stepped out on the patio I was in awe.

The park is 8 miles from the southern trailhead of the Appalachian Trail so we saw many serious hikers at the lodge catching a hot meal. One evening in the dining room it was easy to overhear two hikers sharing tales about their encounters with snakes and bears across their individual tables.

Our hikes were far more low key, we were simply interested in catching a view of the Amicalola falls from several angles. The falls cascade 729 feet making it the third highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River. On our way to a midpoint of the falls we passed a couple who informed us of bears ahead. Super excited that we saw the bears, likely scouring the forest floor for food. But we would have totally missed them if we hadn’t been given the heads up to be aware in the event they descended the 50ish yards down the hill to our trail. They are the dark black blobs in the pictures. You’ll have to take my word for it, but they were moving around so we had no doubt what we got treated to. Our two days at the park can be summed up in one word, WOW. But included here are several pictures that try to do it justice.

Our last destination on our road trip was to Nashville, TN but on our way we included a side trip to Rock City Gardens at Lookout Mountain, Georgia, just barely SW of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Imagine my excitement to capture this photo of a Chattanooga ChooChoo as we navigated through the horrible traffic of Chattanooga. Let’s chalk it up to life’s simple pleasures.

But silliness aside, the views of seven states (Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama) from Rock City Gardens were spectacular. Rock City first opened in 1932 when the owners of this property wanted to share their “backyard” with guests. Frieda created gardens along paths to the spectacular views from ancient rock formations. G. recalled this location being referenced in Martin Luther’s “I Have A Dream” speech and that drew us in to this kinda hokey tourist attraction. It’s in the last couple paragraphs: “And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California. But not only that, let freedom ring from Stone Mountain in Georgia. Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee. Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, and when we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last. Free at last, Thank God almighty, we are free at last.” And so we drove through Chattanooga to find Look Out Mountain…Creating memories while adding context to Martin Luther King’s speech.

I’ve heard for years about Nashville and it’s draw for young adults celebrating just about anything and noticing that we would be passing by so close I had to add Nashville, TN as a stop to witness first hand the craziness of this phenomenon. Forever when I thought of Nashville, images of the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music came to mind, not drunken parties and bar hopping. I really wanted to put an image to this concept. Our visit to the party area, despite the pouring rain, did not disappoint to provide a clear image of the revelry. I am sure that I am happy that the rain dampened the controlled chaos. But the better part of the evening was sharing dinner with C’s future in-laws. Thank you to T. & T. for showing us around and treating us to a wonderful dinner.

(Sunset Edition of Sea To Shining Sea coming soon!)