That Promise (Maybe a plan)

Cars of beauty: My car was a 48 chev, the car Vondale drove was a '48 also but a Fleetline like below.

For Friday: (Pics from the net, too much rain and clouds for our own)

We sit here in the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, about an hour and half from where I met Sherry. After we started dating, we and our best friends would head off for a Sunday afternoon drive. We could make it to Blowing Rock, NC and back before church on Sunday night.

At times we would switch drivers so each couple could smooch in the back seat. Neither one of these goody goody girls would go any further than a long kiss. HA! (She did stay busy warning and moving wandering hands.) Still today I tell her, ‘you shoulda!’ And she will say, ‘I wanted to, but what would mama have thought!’ 

BUT just the other day we took a ride. We drove up to Blowing Rock; both of us looking for the same thing, a particular house. Over 63 years ago we were on the same road two lanes then, weaving up the mountain. And there on the side of a giant hill was a beautiful home with a big green yard. Sixteen yrs old and at one of my ‘BIG PLAN’ moments I promised her that home or one like it. WE HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN THAT EXACT TIME, the home looked like a lover’s dream. It was overlooking a beautiful valley. She did marry me, but she never did get ‘that house.’

 The wind across this rock is said to be so strong at times it could raise a human in the air, many lover's tales here.

Most of our married life we rented and lived in trailers. I was in my 40s when, at her suggestion, I started building. Carpentry turned into General Contracting and as the business grew I (we) have built 3 beautiful homes for us, each one I would tell her, I never did get you that house in mountains. She always said, “It doesn’t matter, I got you.” This girl could have done better, but I am sure glad she said YES and settled for a 26’ trailer with a BATH TUB!

 Note of interest. The Green Mountain Inn of Blowing Rock (I believe) is the largest wooden hotel in the USA, On the nat'l registry as 129 years old.I cannot verify that stuff, but have heard it. Probably no hotel wants to be advertised as wooden. It is ten times larger than this picture and made of an extinct chestnut wood.......

 

Nite Shipslog  

  PS: We have seen the house many times since the first time. .BUT..We did not see ‘the promised house’ this trip. One we saw could have been it, but trees blocked our view. OF course the road now is a 4 lane road, and rerouted in some places. We had hoped to see it. Rain & clouds prevented our  pictures of the great vistas of Blowing Rock.