Dolly Parton sings about her "Tennessee mountain home" and John Denver about his "West Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains". My North Carolina mountain hometown, by any standard, is small. As of 2013, the population was 694. Most of the houses are vacation homes that are only inhabited for a few weeks out of the year. But when one looks at the town of Montreat on a map, the majority of what they will see is not civilization, but forest and hiking trails. Our hiking trails and the views that they lead to are the pride of this town. One could spend days in the woods, hiking and camping, and never run out of trail. In all reality, there are people here who know the trails better than the roads in this town. Walking around the hilly terrain helps the locals craft beautiful leg muscles. It astounds me, though, no matter how many times I hike up a mountain, it never gets any easier.
There are trails that I have hiked since I was a child, and I still need to stop for water breaks. Hiking never gets old, despite the occasional struggles; there is always a new trail to explore and a new mountain to conquer. Reaching the top of a mountain is such an accomplishment and the views are unbeatable, especially on a sunset or sunrise hike. Some people feel like kings at the top of a mountain, yet standing on the summit, I just feel small and awestruck. I am dwarfed and humbled by the mountain ranges around me; no matter how much I strive, I know I can never be as beautiful as they are. The views never cease to blow me away.
Hiking in each of the four seasons brings different adventures every time. In the mountains, we experience the seasons in all of their extremes. Summers are so hot that any makeup can sweat off your face within minutes; winters are snowy and far too cold for a light North Face jacket. Autumn in the mountains will stun anyone; the trees look like they’re on fire with bright reds, oranges, and yellows. Spring brings pollen, rain, and wildflowers. While some only possess a wardrobe of tank tops and shorts, mountain folk quickly learn to prepare for any and every type of weather.
No matter what is in your wardrobe, living here, everyone has at least one flannel, most likely bought from Goodwill or stolen from a brother (I happen to have both kinds). Flannels are necessities in the mountains; not only are they warm in the fall and winter, but also they are great fashion accessories. They can be worn with dresses and no one judges you, because chances are, several other girls are sporting the same look. In addition to flannels, 90 percent of people in the mountains have Chacos. They may not be for everyone, but they are a go-to hiking shoe, walking-around-town shoe, I-don’t-want-to-put-effort-into-this-outfit shoe . . . make fun of our “Jesus sandals” all you want, but in my town, you’re an outlier if you don’t own a pair. ENO hammocks, though not a wardrobe piece, are also essential for living here. ENO outings are normal and the hammocks are easy to hang up anywhere. Some claim that sleeping in them is better than in a bed and much more fun than on the ground when camping.
Whether you’re camping, hiking, or sitting on your front porch, one of the biggest things I’ve learned about growing up in the mountains is how to appreciate nature. I am blessed to have grown up in the most beautiful place I have ever been. The outdoors are a refuge and the mountain air can help clear anyone’s head. Sitting by a lake or standing on a mountaintop, I have found immense peace in the silence and the beauty. As Jeffrey Ralsey said, “chasing angels or fleeing demons, go to the mountains.”
"Going to the mountains is going home." -John Muir
