We are drawing to an end of our excursion along the spine of the Appalachian mountains. When we began we knew it would be a winding, twisting, slow means for travel, however the rewards have been worth the extra effort. We have been guests to tremendous vistas, it is home to countless waterfalls and streams, and wonderful little places to visit, such as Mabry Mill–which highlights the inventive mind of “uncle Ed” Mabry from a different era. This choice of road has been well worth the extra effort it has taken.
One thing worthy of note, there are unflattering stereotypes of Appalachians and of the South in general that I have simply not found. The people we have met have been unfailingly polite, genteel, friendly, and intelligent. There may be others who are not, but they have not been our experience. Blowing Rock would give a run for its money for any posh, southern California hipster spot. Other than historical displays I have not seen any great tension or discrimination based on color of skin. There is no doubt such things do exist here, as in all parts of the world, but there is nothing we have encountered in big cities or rural wide spots on the road.
Which brings to mind a related observation. Wherever I have gone, God is present, within and without. Both in temples made by man and Cathedrals of Nature, the sound of Aum/Amen and the Light of the Infinite have been in abundance. In all places we have found God’s helping hand through timely advice, direction, a caring comment or friendly “How ya’ll doi’n?” And of course His Divine Presence felt within has made the Infinite Beloved a constant feature throughout our pilgrimage.
One of His helping angels came in such a timely way for such a small need. We had travelled to Elkin on advice of a forest ranger for a bike trail, and some much needed internet access. We were across from the library looking for the bike trail we had been assured was there, but we could not find it. A friendly looking man asked it we were going on a bike ride, our bicycles in hand may have been a clue, and when I said we could not find the trail and had thought to ride off in one direction in search of it, he happily gave directions to go in the opposite way! He went on to describe the trail in detail, including the exact length of each of the bridges. I observed, “You are a man who knows his bridges!” He said he should, that he helped build them, he then gave me his card and said if we became lost to give him a call. When we returned to the campground I told the ranger about the help he gave, and she said, “Was that Dr. Bill?” I said yes, and she said he was instrumental in organizing the volunteers who built the beautiful bike trail with amazing bridges, and that he is a doctor known all over the state for his kindness and willingness to help!” Imagine, he was there just when we needed his help, God in human form!
Papa said that when he left to go on train and foot all over India, it was that God wanted to demonstrate that He is universally present. And though I have ventured to many parts of the world, there are most areas of America I have never been. It seems that God is out to demonstrate that He truly is equally present in all places and people of America. In addition, it has given us a chance to chant His holy name wherever we go, and add our part of God to all the people and places to which we have travelled.
In life there are certainly circumstances that we are plopped into that are beyond our control in the moment, but we also have unprecedented freedom in this life (compared to most of recorded history). We have means of transportation unthought of by royalty of the past, in fact in almost all areas of life many of us have a truly privileged existence. And, with deeper analysis, even those situations that seem beyond our control, and our liking, we come to know are the results of decisions we have made countless times and from many lives. This all leads to the topic of making conscious decisions about the roads we choose to travel.
Just like we chose the slower more difficult Blue Ridge Parkway, so you may find that you choose a road that others may find difficult to fathom, but is right for you. The fact that you have chosen a God-centered life makes you unique to begin with, but even with that there are thousands of choices you make every day that determines what roads you will travel. You can live a life in which you are carried downstream by the force of what others do, or you can determine to take roads less travelled through very conscious intention. The greatest road you, or anyone, can choose is the one that God, through His inner direction has chosen for you. You may follow that road and its every twist and turn with the certain knowledge that it is both taking you to your ultimate destination of full realization, and that the road is God Himself.
Picture: Carla as base of Stone Mountain Falls
