Give me solitude high on the mountain;
In a cathedral not made by man.
Oh, let me hear a hymn sung by the joree,
And the whippoorwill’s long sad refrain.
—Don Casada – 2015
—-
Tipper
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One of the places I loved the most (and miss the most) was a place called “Boy Scout Rock” on Eagles’ Nest Mountain in Waynesville. There was a view all the way to Mt. LeConte with Maggie Valley below. It was so quiet all one could hear was the wind and the birds. It was a great place for peaceful introspection. I was more at peace there than anyplace before or since. Sadly, that whole area of the mountain has now been developed and I believe there is a house built ON the rock. Still, my mind’s eye returns there often in dreams.
Ain’t is strange how as children we are afraid of such solitude but as we grow older we yearn for the same thing. As kids we want to join the crowd but as adults we long to get away from it.
I love to sit and listen to cars and trucks in the distance. The more distant the better!
I could have written that poem with the same sentiment but Don beat me to it.
Such a beautiful poem!! I would have loved to been traipsing behind you all!
Enjoyed Don’s poem!! Many a time after getting older I’ve took a rifle or shotgun and went to some of those lonesome high ridges or gorges on the pretense of hunting. Not wanting anything but the solitude of nature. Enjoying looking at trees and huge rocks and coming home with no game. Game not being what I was really looking for, but finding peace.
Joree is what Dad called a Baltimore Oriole so that’s what I call them too.
I’m so glad I was raised with the importance of solitude. Even since I left home, lived in apartments and now in town, I always find a place or time for that solitude.
Kim and I have had our classes moved to online and the kids are off for three weeks. Alex, my daughter, said “what are we going to do?” I told her we were going to enjoy the time together, the solitude and study on things.
I think it’s time to listen and learn.
That’s me. I do not feel lonely when alone. As I told someone recently, I “don’t mind my own company.” In fact I need solitude from time to time. I have posted this here before, but in nearly 28 years living here I have never got over missing the opportunity to take a walk in the woods from the back door. You all are blessed to be able to go up the creek right from home.
There is nothing better than these mountains to bring …peace, calm, solace, comfort, stress relief, did I say peace. These mountains ARE peace.