Blogs from Black Mountain, North Carolina, United States, North America

The day that we drove from Charlotte, NC to Knoxville, TN we made a stop to see the Billy Graham ministry's retreat center nestled in the wooded mountains. Unfortunately due to security we couldn't see much of the grounds except for the chapel containing photos and highlights from Billy and Ruth Graham's lives. It was amazing to think of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have been influenced by Billy Graham's preaching and their son, Franklin's ministry to the impoverished. It was exciting to read of the faith of Ruth, who went to be with Jesus several years ago, and to imagine the great reward that she met there. Not much longer into our drive that day, we saw signs for the Biltmore mansion. Thinking that we probably won't pass through this ... read more

Aiden, This is Bailey writing. Classic and I stowed away in your Mom and Dad's luggage and we ran around Black Mountain while you were there. I sat on the porch of the Robert E. Lee Hall and did a little rocking. After that, I went to the lodge to warm up by the fire and read some magazines. I was hiding at the crafts center while you were there and played on the the loom. Unfortunately, I got stuck in the loom for awhile. I have to go, because I am off to Italy with Aunt Mina and Uncle Ron! Enjoy my pictures... read more

If you have ever played with tonka trucks as a kid, well that is what it is like, one big tonka truck and you get to live inside it, with all of the gadgets and appliances, etc. You soon get use to running water, heat, and TV when you just plug in. Primitive camping is much different, in that you have to measure what you are doing, how much water you are using or wasting. Anyway, it gets you into a different mindset, or as we say, “we are just plain out of our mind for doing this!”. It is better than simply waiting to die. I like living out of my mind but in my body. Any thing else would be sure death!. ... read more

I left Hickory, North Carolina as early as I could manage after a late night spent speaking to the small Quaker worship group, catching up with my girlfriend and parents by phone and planning out my route to Black Mountain for the next day. I estimated that I had a seventy or eighty mile day ahead of me. There were two direct routes from Hickory to Black Mountain, and one was inaccessible to me as it was the interstate. Most people along my ride have been surprised to learn that bicycles are not allowed on interstates. Perhaps it is only cyclists, hitchhikers, equestrians and pedestrians that notice the sign at each interstate on-ramp announcing that the interstate is forbidden to "Bicycles, horses, animal-drawn vehicles, self-propelled machinery, pedestrians and hitchhikers." So the other route to Black Mountain ... read more