Craggy Gardens is located at one of the highest points along the Blue Ridge Mountains. The picture above is a beautiful portrait of Craggy dome. Over the summer, my boyfriend and I went on an impromptu road trip down the parkway, turning our 45 minute drive home from Asheville into a three hour trip. Craggy gardens is one of the overlooks we stopped at, taking a picture just like this one right next to the road sign. When looking at this, I am filled with such happy memories of a day that was spent in complete quality time and breath taking views.
I searched forever to find the exact house, but this resembles the house that my grandpa and I found on sunset beach. It was a larger house made of wood that had a sign above the door reading "The Really Expensive Bicycle." As a very creative and inquisitive man, he instantly wondered aloud the reason behind their unique name. He was quite and suddenly exploded with this story of a retired couple that collected antique bikes and set off on a cross country road trip to buy a made up bicycle type. When they arrived here they found this house and decided to make a move and live on sunset beach until "the good Lord called them home." This is one of my last memories with my grandpa, but it is also my favorite. At the time of this cycling find he was dealing with some neurological problems that effected his speech. He stumbled through his on the spot short story, but still pushed through it to share it, that was how he showed his love, making other people smile. When I look at this picture I am reminded by all of this, I think back on a wonderful man and feel loved and as determined as he always did.
This picture is just really fun for me. This is in the art district of Asheville, one Saturday some friends and I went up to a poetry conference here and made sure to arrive early to walk around a bit. This particular section is so cool to me, once a product of industry is now a canvas for those who see it fit. This gives me comfort that people see potential in something that is not commonly considered art.
I chose this clip because I love the entire scene for the song a Million dreams. It is not your tipical love song, it is more so about building a life together and longing to make each others lives the best they can be. The two characters endure hardships so that one day they can build this world for each other. I feel that the video really plays into this idea with the innocence that is displayed. I especially love when they run through the house and see the animals on the walls when Barnum plays with the shadows.
Vines are a steeple in our generations brand of humor. Whenever I need a break I like to look up a compilation and have a laugh. This is so great to me because the these people poured enough creativity and personal flair into seven second clips to make all their friends and other laugh. I always feel relaxed after watching one, its just plain brain candy.
Sitting Bear is one of the coolest and most hidden treasures for anyone who loves the great outdoors in North Carolina. A two mile unmarked road will lead you to the starting point of an eight mile hike. The trail has craggy arches (tunnels made of craggy trails), climbs up steep hills, rocks to scale, and views that cannot be beat. Along the way, keep an eye out for unmarked trails made by fellow hikers, these include tight squeezes through rock faces that will lead you to looking points off the very edge of the mountain. I took a camping trip here and it has become one of my happy places. Far enough away that you wont hear the rush of cars from miles below. The trails high point is a tunnel of craggy that opens up to the free standing rock face in the picture above, which resembles a bear sitting up straight.
My favorite animal in the world is a raccoon. I love that nothing will phase them. These little guys are resilient, raccoons are not only found in the woods today but not just because of loss of habitat, these witty creatures have learned that we as humans don't always secure our trash. Kindly, raccoons take it upon themselves to go and take care of this for us. After they will return to their wooden homes. Raccoons are also very social, they work in groups to find treats and have been caught on cameras making mounds of themselves in order for another to climb on top them to grab food. I enjoy them because I find them encouraging. They teach adaptivity, resilience, and kindness to their fellow raccoons.
I love painting, making something out of a white canvas. The brush strokes relax me and I like that I am in control of the landscape being created. It is also an art that teaches you that sometimes things don't always turn out the way you want and thats okay!
I love the peace that comes with the length of shelves lined with books. I have always been drawn to them. I think that the reason why is all the possibilities in them, the peoples stories being told, and that someone out there cares enough about something to write hundreds of pages for me to hear about it.
Wildflowers are my favorite flowers. No two are exactly the same, each has a different petal from the last that isn't always seen from the first glance. Wildflowers also can grow anywhere, as long as there is a centimeter of soil they can blossom and live for weeks. To me, wildflowers are inspiring.
