We took the Auto Toll Road to the top of the mountain. Twenty-seven dollars to drive to the top. I thought "no way do we need to do this for twenty-seven dollars. This is ridiculous!"
It was a narrow dirt road - in many places there was room for maybe a car and a half. Yikes! It was very bumpy so we made our way up slowly, very slowly. Around the hair pin turns, pulling over here and there when there was a safe place to stop and enjoy the view. I took as many pictures as I could along the way.
There was a chapel part way up the road. A chapel, where people actually brave this narrow mountain road to attend services! And what a beauty it was!
As we made our way further and further to the top, the views of the mountains and the valley below became more and more spectacular.
When we reached the top and walked to the edge, we just stood and looked and said not a word. It was simply amazing. What we noticed the most was the quiet. Silence. No horns beeping, no traffic noise. Nothing. But. Quiet.
We sat at the edge on a large, flat rock. We just sat and looked and took it all in. And as I sat there I felt so relaxed. So calm. My mind, that is usually racing with all of the things I need to remember and do, was quiet. These beautiful surroundings had quieted even MY mind! I've never been one to be able to meditate. To quiet my mind and just "be." But there I was - just "being."
I felt truly connected. With all of the beautiful nature surrounding me. And to myself. It was a long, bumpy road to reach my quiet, meditative moment, but it was worth it. Twenty-seven dollars suddenly seemed not so ridiculous after all.
And when you're eye level with the big, fluffy clouds, it makes you realize just how small you are in the whole scheme of things. And how simply spectacular Mother Nature is.
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." - John Muir -
Please share your photos with us in our flickr group as you "connect" this month. With such a broad theme, it's fun to see everyone's interpretations!
14 comments:
I was never thrilled wirth skiing - I just white knuckle it slowly along, with a frozen smile on my face, but I always thought it was worth it for the view at the top! It is simply - healing.
(BTW - who owns this mountain that is able to charge for your access? - Seems somehow wrong....)
Ahhhh, what a beautiful view indeed, one I have never seen in person but I have to say I'm glad I didn't have to drive on a dirt road - a narrow, hair pin, bumpy one - yikes! lol And I love John Muir and that quote!
I am not a skier, but I sure do love the views from the mountains! The mountain is Mount Mansfield, in Stowe Vermont. The Stowe Mountain Lodge is located there and ski trails etc.(so I guess they own it) It's the highest mountain in Vermont, at 4395 feet.
Thanks Kim, I do love that quote as well! It has always "spoken" to me, and seemed to fit my post quite perfectly.
Wow what a view, funny you putting the quote by John Muir I have just watched a documentary on the BBC about him and his links with Yosemite and the Sierra Club, what an amazing man, thanks for sharing the quote and your wonderful photos...
Beautiful, Judy, beautiful. I wish I could take you way back into the woods to the rivers in Quebec. That same awesome silence. Until the river. Then add river sound. Then the urge to pee in the woods. Which you totally can do because there is NO ONE THERE! I am so glad you had this trip up the mountain. Peace. Stillness. Vastness. Great shots and a wonderful post.
Hugs and tight lines,
Pam
I agree, what a great man, creator of the Sierra Club, and such an conservationist. And I do so love that particular quote. Thanks for reading, come visit us again.
"Way back into the woods to the rivers in Quebec" sounds heavenly. Yes, the silence is just so therapeutic, so healing, very centering. (And how convenient that when the sounds of the river make you have to go, you can go!!!) :)Thank you Pam.
I've been there several times andLOVE Stowe!
It's so true: life is such a cacophony of noise sometimes quiet can be overwhelming. But not for me. I'm one of those people who likes quiet.
Beautiful photos, Judy. It sounds like you had a grand day.
:-D
These were breathtaking shots! I can only imagine how quiet it was.
I was a skiier years ago, but blew out my ankle, but one of the things I would love to do is stand atop the mountain and look and take it all in.
You are so right the quiet is LOUD! :) very very nice shots hon~
Such gorgeous photos, Judy! I definitely think it was worth the price. We have a ski resort about two hours away and they do rides up the ski lifts in the summers as well. That way you get to see the gorgeous view and don't have to ski down! I think everyone needs to experience the quiet of nature once in awhile just to have chance to breathe. Living in the big city as I do, I crave that quiet. Thanks for sharing this.
Oh! I do love the mountains! I don't like the narrow, winding one lane, barely paved roads with no guard railing! But I love how peaceful it is once I get past all that! The sound of wind rustling through the pines, and the scent! We are far from real mountains but try to go there occasionally. No trip this year. Thanks for taking me there with you!
xo,
Linda
I would have been just like you....is this really going to be worth $27?? And then yes, I can imagine as well, that I would have been able to be still, quiet and at peace out there! What an awesome story and connection! thanks for sharing!
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