Dramatic skies all the way home. (This is taken through my dirty windshield!)
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Drive Home
Just a few minutes ahead of the encroaching storms, we battened down the hatches and headed West. After 30 minutes of packing and 10 minutes of tying down bike rack on trunk, we hit the road. Five minutes later, Dorry was concerned she left some jewelry behind. Off with the bikes, open the trunk and dig. It was there. Repack, reload and retry.
Jeremy and Dorry couldn't miss out on historic Chucktown (Charleston), so we took a short detour--three hours to be exact. Finally, I found the grail (or at least the Catholic bookstore). Pauline Books and Media had a 75% off sale. Kelly circled the block while I browsed. Woo-hoo!
On the drive home, we enjoyed intermittant showers. Breathtakingly beautiful as we entered the mountains. Finally, just outside of Asheville, we stopped for supper at an Arby's. The ten commandments were post beside the register, everyone in the restaurant was FRIENDLY. Finally, we were home. The low country is pretty and Charleston is fascinating, but most of the people are simply not friendly. In fact, the only consistently friendly folks in Charleston were the African-Americans. Many of the whites bordered on rude, but every African-American person I talked to was friendly--East TN friendly. They made me feel welcome.
We talked to one man on the side of the road in a wheelchair. He didn't have legs and was selling incense, but was friendly and full of joy. He told me I could call him "Uncle Ben." Great guy.
Back to Arbys. Great meal, friendly folks and fast. Moments later we were back on the road and moments after that we were home. What a great trip! Thanks for joining us!
Jeremy and Dorry couldn't miss out on historic Chucktown (Charleston), so we took a short detour--three hours to be exact. Finally, I found the grail (or at least the Catholic bookstore). Pauline Books and Media had a 75% off sale. Kelly circled the block while I browsed. Woo-hoo!
On the drive home, we enjoyed intermittant showers. Breathtakingly beautiful as we entered the mountains. Finally, just outside of Asheville, we stopped for supper at an Arby's. The ten commandments were post beside the register, everyone in the restaurant was FRIENDLY. Finally, we were home. The low country is pretty and Charleston is fascinating, but most of the people are simply not friendly. In fact, the only consistently friendly folks in Charleston were the African-Americans. Many of the whites bordered on rude, but every African-American person I talked to was friendly--East TN friendly. They made me feel welcome.
We talked to one man on the side of the road in a wheelchair. He didn't have legs and was selling incense, but was friendly and full of joy. He told me I could call him "Uncle Ben." Great guy.
Back to Arbys. Great meal, friendly folks and fast. Moments later we were back on the road and moments after that we were home. What a great trip! Thanks for joining us!
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Day Four - Charleston
Kelly and I drove over to Charleston for the day. I cannot fully understand or explain the mix of emotions I experienced. Walking around the city, looking at the memorials and even the old homes, I had a sense of sadness and sacredness. In one sense, this place seemed like holy ground.
Why? Maybe because the long history of this city. Maybe because of the lives who were lost in this place. I'm not sure really why. In one sense, this seems a place stuck in the last: whose glory days have forever past. And yet, memorial is important. We must remember: both the honor and dishonor of our past. The grand civilization that once was. The majestic buildings. The stately culture. The terror of human enslavement.
The story of slavery if part and parcel of this region. Out of such suffering has come a cultural mix of African, French and other European influences. This diverse mix has produced a fascinating culture.
This city makes me think of our country. As we honestly learn to face the good and bad of our past, maybe our memories become not simply memorials to past achievements or reminders of bitter pains but the foundation for new possiblities in the future.
Anyway it was a rich day remembering the diverse worlds that converged to form this city.
Why? Maybe because the long history of this city. Maybe because of the lives who were lost in this place. I'm not sure really why. In one sense, this seems a place stuck in the last: whose glory days have forever past. And yet, memorial is important. We must remember: both the honor and dishonor of our past. The grand civilization that once was. The majestic buildings. The stately culture. The terror of human enslavement.
The story of slavery if part and parcel of this region. Out of such suffering has come a cultural mix of African, French and other European influences. This diverse mix has produced a fascinating culture.
This city makes me think of our country. As we honestly learn to face the good and bad of our past, maybe our memories become not simply memorials to past achievements or reminders of bitter pains but the foundation for new possiblities in the future.
Anyway it was a rich day remembering the diverse worlds that converged to form this city.
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
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