Mountain adventures “hit different”. There’s something about the freeing feeling that comes along with being on the edge of a cliff, on top of the world, that becomes almost transformative. Even when I find myself stuck in a painful loop of indecisiveness on the ground, I can always find clarity at the top of some mountain somewhere, above all of the bullshit below. Some of my best decisions have been made at almost 4,000 ft. above sea level.
While I plan to get much more in-depth on this blog and the various journeys that I find myself on (both existentially and otherwise), I’d love to start off with a few of my best decisions that were made “on top of the world”. Here are a few moments from my elopement and anniversary celebration at The Blowing Rock, the oldest attraction in North Carolina.
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Blowing Rock is a cliff that stands 3,000 feet above sea level and offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. But what makes it truly unique is the phenomenon that occurs here. On windy days, the air currents in the area create an upward draft that causes objects to float upward instead of being blown away. Yes, you read that right. If you toss a lightweight object over the edge, it will actually float back up towards you!
But what’s even more thought-provoking is the legend behind The Blowing Rock. According to local folklore, a Chickasaw chieftain fell in love with a maiden from a rival tribe. Unable to be together, they stood on opposite sides of the gorge and blew a kiss to each other. The wind carried the maiden’s kiss back to the chieftain, and he was so overjoyed that he threw himself off the cliff and was carried to her by the wind.
It’s a whimsical tale (see what I did, there? You get it), but it raises some interesting questions about love and the power of the wind. Can love really conquer all, even the laws of nature? Or is the legend simply a fanciful explanation for a natural phenomenon that we still don’t fully understand?
Regardless of the answer, The Blowing Rock is a must-visit destination for anyone who appreciates the beauty and mystery of the natural world. And who knows, maybe you’ll be inspired to toss a kiss over the edge and see if the wind carries it back to you. I will be forever grateful to have the incredible and breathtaking memories from these days.
Photos by Cynthia Viola Photography in Blowing Rock, NC cynthiaviola.com
The Whimsical Watson 