From the Mountain Top to the Valley Floor

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Emerald Outback, searching for Backbone Trail. Found the serene ridge top, the houses on spacious yards (of this mountain beech and grass), and Oz Forest Run. Muddy, wet feet, magic mountain top. The color green in dappled light. Every puddle is an exploration.


In the afternoon we drove down the mountain to Banner Elk to Tate-Evans Park. We walked the green way upstream, following Shawneehaw Creek. We picked a few black raspberries for Adella, who thought they were too tart at first, but after she realized that she could pick them herself, she couldn’t get enough. We coaxed her away from the canes with the promise of river play in the cold, clear, swift water.


In the evening, after Adella was asleep, I went out in the porch and looked at the moon through binoculars. Susan joined me and we watched a movie on the porch. 

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