The church in Murphy, North Carolina, had glass windows for one to see out in every direction. Visitors were invited to a fellowship meal every Sabbath. Betty, the greeter, invited the entire church to her house for a cookout later that evening. I read in the church bulletin to bring a side dish like baked beans, potato salad, or cabbage salad, but I brought Ruffles. They have ridges.

In the meantime, the Ocoee river rushed by Thunder Rock Campground as I jumped off a rock ledge, joined and carried by the ice cold current, setting out into freedom. The shock of it all took my breath away. When water was not being released below the powerhouse for whitewater rafting, the Ocoee’s like a public pool, with spots deep enough to dive into. Pick a spot and get cool.

Speed it Up

Take a hike
take a bike
take a Bible to be sure
but speed it up
speed it up
speed it up
the river’s rolling
speed it up
speed it up
speed it up
the mountain’s calling

take a raft
take a match
take a jacket to be sure
but speed it up
speed it up
speed it up
the thunder’s coming
speed it up
speed it up
speed it up
the Lord’s coming

— Stacy Sweeney