Today I took a 9-hour round trip that carried me through some of the Piedmont's prettiest country. The gently rolling hills and farmland along US 64 remind me of parts of New York state with the way they invite me to slow down and not just look at everything but to really see it.
There's a gas station near Mocksville at the intersection of 64 and Dalton Road. The sign on the building says CROSSROADS MART in big red letters on a white background. Beneath that, in white letters on a red background it says, "Sodas Cigarettes Groceries & More." This is a really nice little market and service station, but I'm pretty sure that on certain nights some somebody most of us would rather not meet adds the word "Souls" to the white letter/red background part of that sign. Then it disappears once the deals are done.
It will be a long forever before I travel back to the Uwharrie, so I took advantage of not being in a hurry and wandered around historic downtown Mocksville for a little while. Truth is, I used that wander and the long drive to leave behind some energy I did not want to carry home with me. Mocksville seems to be a sweet little place with restaurants and shopping that caught my eye. Sorry for the energy drop, M'ville. It wasn't exactly a leave no trace visit, but I did my best to tidy up what I was laying down.
That little side trip delayed the rest of my drive home with almost perfect timing. By the time I was approaching the mountains molten glass was pouring across the sky in thick layers of orange blossom honey, marigold, and tangerine. I don't know who was calling to me, but the message was clear. "I know you're tired but come, this is the way." ~ Rumi
By the time I slid down the far side of Old Fort Mountain the light was nearly gone. There was just enough light and shadow left to allow me to see the big buck that was standing near the edge of the road, head turned to look back over his shoulder. I rarely see deer here, so this sighting felt like an affirmation of some recent personal decisions. Ten minutes later I was talking with a friend and nearly home, so I looped around the driveway of the church at the end of my road. The headlights caught movement between two big trees, and suddenly I was looking at a mama bear and her cub of the year.
Baby was up a tree quicker than a wink, and when I backed the car away his mama called him down. They ran into the woods together. The list glimpse I had of them was his little rump wiggling as he ran after his mom.
This was my second bear sighting after the storm. I felt a mixture of relief and elation upon seeing them, and feelings I have yet to decipher. They both looked healthy and had no trouble moving. Have you ever seen how fast a bear can scamper up a tree? Whew. And the sight is always accompanied by the distinctive sound of bear claws in wood.
I could hardly ask for a more perfect welcome home.