Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Among the Pines Upon the Mountain

I feel like I've been so out of touch as I have spent a glorious week with my extended family at Kanuga in the mountains of North Carolina.  It is here that we get to live life more simply - and therefore, fully.  When people ask me what it is like, I tell them to think the resort from the movie Dirty Dancing.  There's even a talent show at the end of the week:  "The Kanuga Follies"!  My family has spent part of every summer for the past thirty years in Cottage 3 right on the lake.

There is no air conditioning, but that doesn't matter.  The temperatures stay in the low 80s most of the time.  The breeze off of the lake whispers through the pine trees. The porch swing in this 1909 cottage creaks in motion of whomever is sitting in it. 

Kanuga is reminiscent of old times.  The Monday of each week holds a square dance, and even the coolest of coolest teenagers grab their mother or grandmother's hand and swing her around the parking lot.  The same bluegrass band entertains every year, playing and calling the same songs and dances.

Hikes around the lake are treats for Sumter and Jackson, and I love walking behind them, listening to their conversations.  The mountain laurel and ferns are everywhere with a heavenly smell that, I swear, is only at this blessed place.



10 comments:

  1. Looks like a wonderful week with many happy memories to take home! So glad you could visit for a bit before you headed on up the mountain. I will be posting about our meeting tomorrow!

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  2. Such a fabulous summer tradition. This is what childhood memories are made from. It sounds and looks like you all had a great time. All your boys look so handsome in the photos.

    Have a great evening ~
    Jo

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  3. Looks like an amazing get away and a wonderful family tradition! Sooo beautiful too!

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  4. Sounds like a fab place to vacation and spend time with family!

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  5. Wow! That sounds like such a great tradition with wonderful memories made and those yet to be made! Wonderful place!

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  6. sounds like the perfect vacation spot.... i've been looking for an "adult-like" camp -- didn't you just love summer camp as a kid?!? and this looks like it totally fits the bill.
    and the dirty dancing reference?! one of my all-time faves....have seen it more times than i can count and would gladly watch any day of the week!
    glad you "had the time of your life!" ;-)

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  7. Oh my gosh- what a blast!!! You always take your boys the neatest places- what a great childhood! :)

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  8. what a blast indeed! I just love how 'cool' it looks and how much fun everyone is having in the pics. Wishing you a fab weekend.

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  9. Sounds like it is one marvelous place! What a wonderful family tradition to return to the same place every summer, your boys are surely making such beautiful memories, much like you have!
    More pictures please!!

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  10. Sounds amazing! So great to get away and live simply!

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Thanks for your sweet comments... They make my day just that more Golden!