Travels With Our Daughter

We so enjoyed having our daughter for a visit.  She lives in Milwaukee and we don't see her nearly as often as we would like.  She loves the mountains almost as much as we do, so we took a mountain drive every day.

I had heard of a place in nearby Henderson County called "Jump-off Rock" but had never gone there.  The weather was "iffy" with intermittent clouds and rain but we decided to give it a try.  So what if it rained?  We would still enjoy driving and talking and stopping for lunch.

Have you ever driven somewhere and been totally surprised to find that you are driving to a place you have seen from the valley below?  Part of this feeling was anger because we drove past large homes built right on the ridge line.  You know, the ones who cut down all the trees so they could have panoramic long-distance views?  The ones that you would like to blow up when they glare out of the top of the mountain?  Safely of course, and with no harm to anyone...just a little green lesson.

As we approached the rock outcropping, we saw only clouds.  There was no hint of the beauty to come.

A sign pointed out the various mountains in the distance.  I would love to know the names of all the mountains but there are obviously too many of them.

And the view!  Oh, the view.

I can only imagine how beautiful it would be on a clear day.

The very definition of a panoramic view.

This is obviously not Jump Off Rock.  We were standing on the rock in front of a fence discouraging jumpers.  But other rock outcroppings surrounded us.

Jump Off Rock is located up the mountain from a little community called Laurel Park.  The mountain road rises more than a thousand feet from the community.

Of course there is a legend.  How can there not be a legend about a place called Jump Off Rock?  And the legend is the ubiquitous Indian maiden and her lost lover.  The maiden (not a Princess this time) and warrior met daily at this location.  When he was called to fight in a tribal war they promised to meet at this spot when he returned.  Day after day the maiden climbed to the rock to see if she could view the returning braves.  The warriors finally returned, bringing the tragic news of her lover's death in battle.  She went to the edge of the rock and jumped to her death.  Had the event taken place in our county, the jump would have been from a waterfall.

Our son completed the Cleveland Marathon yesterday in the heat and humidity.  He has run in other races but this was his first marathon.

WAY TO GO, SON!  What an accomplishment!