LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Monday, January 16, 2012

The Sun Still Came Up This Morning

Thousands of very excited fans filled up legendary Lambeau Field for a playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and the NY Giants. 

This photograph and following photograph from Internet

Sunday before the game


Few people could have guessed what kind of game they were to watch.  The Packers had a stellar season and home-field advantage.  And when the home field is Lambeau, that is a real advantage.  (Name another  football town in which the people line up in freezing weather to help shovel snow from the seats and aisles preparing for the game.)  Game tickets had sold out and scalpers were making a lot of money.  Everything went well until the teams took to the field.  Dropped balls, fumbles, inadequate defense, an offensive line that couldn't protect the quarterback...all these problems plagued the Packers.  It was a painful experience for the team and for the fans.


A dejected Aaron Rodgers reflects the mood after the game.



And so a season ends.  Bright with promise with so many early wins and brilliant plays.  It's never fun to lose, but it is really awful to play so poorly.  The Packers beat themselves while the Giants observed.

But you know what?  It was a football game.  A football game.  And so we move on.  Where better to go than to the higher mountains.  (OK, Rocky Mountain readers...these are high mountains to us.)  Winter in the mountains brings  fewer visitors, especially to the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP).  Much of the BRP near us is closed to traffic.  For us that is a good thing.  Closed to traffic means OPEN to pedestrians!  If there is snow it means open to cross-country skiing or simply walking in the snow.

One of our favorite winter destinations is the Cold Mountain Overlook.  The parking lot is kept open although the BRP is closed in both directions.  I love the mountains in winter even without snow.  The air seems so crisp and clear.



A mountain view seen while walking along on the road.





 Cold Mountain itself.  (Yes THAT Cold Mountain)
Elevation 6,030 feet





 And looking in the opposite direction





 You just stand and take in the view.



For some reason, the people walking on the BRP are the nicest folks around.  All of them seem to love dogs and all the dogs seem to be friendly.  Strangers stop and share their feelings about the beauty.  No one seems irritated.  No one seems rushed.  And that is good.  It makes me smile.  The mountains will do that to you.

17 comments:

troutbirder said...

Now there is a positive attitude if ever I saw one. My midwestern loyalty had me expecting the Pack to win but it wasn't meant to be. Life goes on and mountain pave walkway dog friendly sounds like a great antidote. Anyway wait till next year as we Vikes fans are wont to say... :)

Taradharma said...

Thanks for PERSPECTIVE. Yes, it's a football game.

Those mountains are so very beautiful! I loved driving through them when I was there. How great they close a section for pedestrians. THAT would be a great bit of hiking.

Andrea said...

Those mountains are really lovely to see at any angles. Yes, we always notice that people are at their good when they are in tourist areas or in travel grounds. We always love to talk to strangers when in tours.

Carolina Linthead said...

Yes they will, my dear friend! I miss the mountains so. Sorry about the Packers, but being able to console yourself on the BRP is QUITE the blessing. Take good care of our mountains...someday we will make it back there. Thank you for your encouragement and support on my blog...whether or not I comment, I am always here, loving your girls, sharing your perspective...we are peas in a pod :-)

George said...

I think the less said about the game, the better. I will say that I do think your comments about walkers on the BRP apply to all hikers. I don't think we've ever met an unfriendly hiker.

Rudee said...

Which reminds me...I have Cold Mountain, but I've not read it. Yet. THis is the year.

Sorry about the loss.

Ms. A said...

There's a beautiful view of Cold Mountain, from my Carolina property! Wish I was there!

Elizabeth said...

I love the Mountain views also. If not for my 4 grandchildren living here in Fl. I would be relocating to N.C. too!

Dawn Fine said...

Didnt watch the game..my hubby did. He is now hoping that his favorite team the Patriots will play the Giants and win...will see.
Love the scene there. Need to get to the mountains again.

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

I would much rather look at the mountains than a football game. My husband and I took a trip on the BRP starting at Fancy Gap. We had a big He-man truck with chains and 4-wheel drive back in 77 when we made that trip. The Parkway closed around us as snow piled up. We were only allowed on because of the chains. Saw a raptor dive into the snow to catch its lunch. Thanks for bringing back the memory.
nellie

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Sounds like you truly love your mountains. They are beautiful and majestic. I can see how they can set the mood 'round those parts.

Your splendid pictures say it all!

Have a blessed and beautiful day sweetie!!!

Arkansas Patti said...

So sorry the Packers lost--I was quite surprised--but they really gave you a season to be proud of.
I didn't know they ever closed the BRP. How wonderful for hikers. It is all yours.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Oh, we could all use a few walks on the BRP...apparently it livens the spirits of all!

KGMom said...

Or--you could be a Giants fan, in which can: THE SUN STILL CAME UP...and how!

Vicki Lane said...

The Parkway is such a treasure. I need to visit it soon.

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

My kids went to college in Harrisonburg VA at JMU and we love the BRP. I had no idea Cold Mountain was so close. Very cool.

As for GB, yes, it is a football game. Some people are nuts about it. I married a basketball fan (college b-ball).
Those folks in GB get $10 an hour to shovel the stadium. wow!

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

My kids went to college in Harrisonburg VA at JMU and we love the BRP. I had no idea Cold Mountain was so close. Very cool.

As for GB, yes, it is a football game. Some people are nuts about it. I married a basketball fan (college b-ball).
Those folks in GB get $10 an hour to shovel the stadium. wow!