LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Cleansing Breath

Whenever I need to think and sort out my feelings, the very best thing is to take a drive through the mountains. I stop at a viewing area and just look in all directions. I take deep, cleansing breaths and somehow I feel better. Unfortunately, our little town has no gas today, so such a drive would not be reasonable and would be wasteful. So I take a walk in the woods and look at recent pictures of the mountains.

These are from a trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Mount Pisgah.


A blanket of fog lies in the valley.



A pair of dead trees with Funnel Top Mountain in the background.

Another valley filled with clouds.


Cold Mountain, the top obscured by clouds.
-----So why are we still without gasoline at this late date? Simply put, we are far away from the pipelines. The gas is delivered to metropolitan areas with easy delivery and the mountain areas are last in line. It costs more and is more difficult to bring the gasoline up the mountains. Panic among the drivers contributes to the problem as people want to "top off" at any time they find gasoline. This drains the pumps more quickly and the cycle continues.
-----Severe shortages exist in Asheville as well and police are often called to manage the crowds whenever a service station gets a gas delivery. Many fights have erupted among frustrated customers. Some people cannot get enough gas to drive to work, especially home health workers or others who must drive from place to place. Charitable groups are having fewer volunteers, and the meals-on-wheels programs cannot find enough drivers.
-----So while I miss my drives through the mountains, I am in so much better shape than many others. We have a pantry and freezer full of food. We have plenty to do in our own neighborhood. And we have great neighbors. We notify one another if we have to drive to town and make a list of items another neighbor might need. And, at least in our little town, no one is getting physical at the gas pumps.





12 comments:

Ruth said...

I couldn't imagine what would happen here if we ran out of gas. I could take the bus, but my husband couldn't get to work. Your pictures are so peaceful and restorative.

Dog_geek said...

I always find a walk in the woods to be good for clearing my head, so hopefully it was what you needed, too! Sorry to hear that you are still having gas shortage problems where you are. Things seem to have settled down here, but we are lucky to be in reasonable biking distance of stores and work if we needed to.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Sorry you're having problems with gasoline distribution there. We need to keep out heads. Unfortunately the media is quick to fan the flames of fear and people seem to fall victim to it quickly.

Aaaah...I feel better having viewed your pix too! :)

Frantic Home Cook said...

Curious why Asheville is having a gas shortage. I'd imagine a tourist town like Asheville wouldn't have trouble with gas delivery. Wow.

That said, when I need to take a breath, I look at your blog photos! :) You're living my dream life.

Twisted Fencepost said...

Some of the stations are out of gas here and others have put a 10 gallon limit out.
It will get back to normal eventually.
Your pictures are beautiful. I grew up in the foot hills of WV and sometimes I miss them so.

NCmountainwoman said...

Ruth - Many people around here are unable to get to work.

Dog geek - It was indeed what I needed.

Lynne - Glad you liked the pictures. Yes, it is too bad level heads do not prevail.

Frantic - It is difficult to believe Asheville would have such supply problems. They are on a major Interstate, so one would think they would get supplied.
BTW: It's our dream life as well.

Twisted - We lived briefly in Beckley, WV and it was lovely there. And yes, we will also get back to normal.

Shelley said...

Wow - I'm glad you are so prepared and in good shape. We should all be so self reliant - it's amazing how things can fall apart quickly without gas or electricity!

Kathi said...

We had just a taste of what you are living through during the recent blackout in SW Ohio - many stations had no power to pump gas, and those who did have electricity were running low on fuel. People didn't panic, exactly, but there were long lines and short tempers.

I hope things get better for you soon. In the meanwhile, be glad for a well-supplied larder and neighbors who help each other out.

~Kathi, loving the mountain views

Jayne said...

How wonderful that you can take those walks and breathe Carolyn. I'd be in the woods all the time these days... just trying to make sense of it all. Have a beautiful day.

Kerri Farley said...

Lovely shots!

The Birdlady said...

Ah! I can feel it - your photos bring it right to me.
We seem to have plenty of gas, but I'm not driving much anyway - and getting along fine without it.

100 Thoughts of Love said...

ewwwww....I hope this is over before Oct 18....