The silver mists of thick fog cast a spell on the Blue Ridge Mountains, as my mom and I zigzagged on Highway 221 west towards Grandfather Mountain. The howl of a ghostly wind rumbling and rustling across the hills and through the trees - a rock sound inviting wonder and awe at the expansive cliff stopping views.
Looking across the vast roaring hills of the Appalachia, the ghosts of crystals and rocks, the secrets of these hills speak in the dense fog and effervescent green fir. There is a peace and mystery in the North Carolina mountains - beckoning exploration. It feels as a crossroads of the past and present, my steps merely dust prints in wind.
Grandfather Mountain is a Tar Heel icon, it is a legend of stone, alive and awaiting discovery. Grandfather Mountain is a guardian of North Carolina and the Blue Ridge, the ancient father of the hills and keeper of the forests. It is a bridge between the heavens and the earth, a place to climbing to soaring heights and be humbled by nature's majesty. No human hands can improve upon this natural Eden. Human are charged with protecting this native land, a difficult task in the shadow of man-made climate factors and pollution...Grandfather Mountain is a crossroads of biodiversity of life and legend, death and rebirth...the state park and Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Educational Park are keystones to helping visitors discover the ceaseless wonders of the Blue Ridge...
Everyone who leaves Grandfather Mountain is changed by its atmosphere - the smoky mists of the mountains and blue hues of distant valleys and craggy peaks...parks like Grandfather Mountain remind us of the beauty around us and the necessity to protect the extraordinary spaces of God's grace in creation.
My mom and I arrived at Grandfather Mountain around 2 o'clock, the craggy peak jutting out as a guidepost to heaven. I hit the brakes and pulled into a turnout to snap a picture of the profile of the mountain - which is stand to look like a man by some...there are countless legends for the naming of Grandfather Mountain, but one thing is certain the frame of this crag is unique and mysterious.
Standing at 5,946 feet, Grandfather Mountain is highest peak on the eastern escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's rugged character, hidden caves, cliffs and forests tell a geologic story of 1.1 years of Grandfather Mountain is home to 16 distinct ecological communities.
Named by the Cherokee as 'Tanawha' - meaning hawk or eagle, Grandfather Mountain's rocks date back 1.1 billion years, the stones ancient natural skyscrapers formed by mountain building that culminated 300 million years ago, followed by ongoing erosion. Erosion and natural forces, including impact continue to write the future of the mountain and its ecology. Listed as a UN Biosphere, Grandfather Mountains diverse topography boasts sixteen distinct ecological communities. The Grandfather Stewardship seeks to protect the mountain for future generations, educating the public about the diverse breadth of life in the Blue Ridge.
Admission to the tourist park, includes a audio c.d. detailing the history and geology of the mountain, while showcasing notable sites along the way. My mom took our time winding up to the main visitor pavilion, snapping shots of the wonders of the mountain.
We started our tour at the Nature Center where we learned about the preserve's rescued animals. I love animals and appreciated Grandfather Mountains care to provide the wildlife with a safe habitat - educating the public about endangered species currently or once native to the region.
Highlights:
Informed park rangers and biologists presented a tour on the park's Black Bears who are native to North Carolina. Because of a new eagle habitat, the bear viewing platform was closed, so we got a behind the scenes look at the bears in their private habitat.
Cougar: Sadly cougars, once native to this landscape were hunted to extinction and died out, however the western cousin of the extinct North Carolina cougar - a mountain lion - is part of the wildlife exhibits. The ranger did an excellent job explaining about habitat loss, the importance of predators in the ecosystem and our duty to be stewards of the ecosystem.
Otters: They were just adorable.
My mom enjoyed meandering through the gardens and stone cliff mazes before continuing up the mountain to take on the world-famous Mile High Swinging Bridge.
I will be the first to warn you that I am terrified of heights - ironic considering I love to climb mountains, but I get a little vertigo when crossing bridges...I was determined to make it across the bridge - fearlessly facing my fears...and praying the Hail Mary a few times for moral support.
The Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain is truly a feat in engineering....built in 1952, the Mile High Bridge is America's highest suspension footbridge...it is a bridge across the clouds enabling explorers to walk on the sky, spanning a 80 foot chasm to climb to the stunning panorama from Grandfather Mountain's Linville Peak
The Mile High Swinging Bridge could well be called Whistler's Roar - it has been the site of reported record breaking wind speeds - up to 200 miles per hour (though some dispute this claim - needless to say it is a WINDY GAP).
Today the wind whispered like a song, a brisk caress, invigorating the soul - aspiring to leap into the grace of the natural peace of the land.
Down in the gift shop I loaded up on 'healing' crystals native to the North Carolina Mountains including citrine and amethyst...the true gem of these mountains is not the silver and gold reported deep in the rocks of old, but the life abundant found on the mountain and stories of eons the mountain reveals in the wind and movement of the trees and the cracking of rock after a heavy rain.
I cannot wait to return to Grandfather Mountain - when I return it will feel like coming home...
More about history of Grandfather Mountain.
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