The Cross-Country Adventure Continues - Day Four!

I'm so excited to share the next leg of our journey. These were some of my favorite days. If you've missed the first three days make sure to go back and check them out and don't forget to leave comments so you can be eligible for the prizes.

All Righty - here we go.

Saturday, October 7, 2006

Sadly, we left Branson Missouri yesterday. I wish we could have stayed longer, but "work" calls. We covered a lot of miles, driving throough Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. After fourteen hoours on the road we finally stopped to sleep in Lexington, Kentucky.

In Illinois I could feel and see signs of winter. The leaves had turned, fields lay fallow, and the air felt chill. It seemed as if the land were waiting for winter.

In spite of the long hours on the road I truly enjoyed our time as we passed through three states in one day and moved on to a fourth. The countryside was colorful, expansive, and restorative.

The landscape changed as we approached Kentucky. There were more hills and they were steeper and demanded Greg's attention as he drove. The reds, oranges, and yellows on the trees and foliage seemed to vibrate with life. And I don't know that I've ever seen fields as green, not even in Oregon during the spring. Horses and cows, confined by white fences, grazed in lush pastures. The forests changed too. They became dense, the trees were crushed against each other fighting for space.

After a night's sleep in a very comfy bed (Praise God!) we set out again, crossing the mountains and traveling through the Daniel Boone National Forest. I could feel the history all around me.

We stopped at a place called Paintsville Lake. One day I'll return. It is one of the most tranquil spots I've ever seen. 

Hoping to find a town called Van Lear, we wound our way through country roads where small farms rested in green meadows. It was quite isolated and sometimes the forest closed out the light and I must admit that my mind returned to an old movie called Deliverance. I was thankful for GPS.

It took a bit of doing, but we managed to locate Van Lear. It's a small town in the Appalachians and we felt as if we'd stepped back in time. Our ultimate destination was Butcher Holler, Loretta Lynn's birthplace.

We got lost a few times, but managed to find her home. We drove back roads, some only wide enough for one car and some areas weren't even paved, although that's not so unusual for us - we're Oregonians, after all. We weren't sure we were even in the right place and considered turning back but then we came upon a boulder with Butcher Holler and an arrow painted on it showing the way. We finally made it!

Loretta's brother, Herman, a real friendly fellow, was there and happily showed us around his childhood home. The simple old house was much as it had been when Loretta and her family lived there. There were few luxuries for the "Coal Miner's Daughter" and her siblings.

The original furnishings had been preserved and Loretta's grandfather's guitar rested on one of the beds. Herman told us stories about the old days, including Loretta playing that old guitar. He proudly showed us photographs of his family and many of the famous people who've visited there.

My visit was a moving experience, reminding me of the strength of the human spirit. So much can be accomplished if we will only believe in the One who can do all things.

Tonight we're in Nashville and plan to do some exploring tomorrow before heading south into Georgia. I'll be writing again soon."

Nashville was so fun! I can't wait to tell you about it tomorrow. In the meantime I have another question and another prize.

Today's Question:
In the book, To Dance With Dolphins, Taylor has aspirations of becoming a country singer, but the rest of the group doesn't much like country (at least not at first). What is your favorite music style and if you have a favorite artist, I'd love to know.

Today's prize - A poster I happen to love because I believe in using our imaginations and allowing ourselves to believe our hopes ad dreams can come true.

I'll be back tomorrow with  more of my journey. 

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie