If you ever want to, you could take that pocket watch of your grandfather’s — a mighty fine one, I might add — and have it serviced by one of the best watchmakers in America, right there in Asheville at The Watchmaker’s Shop. Justin Harrell is his name, and you can tell him James sent ya.
So thrilled to have TML back, and the trip report from this year was just as stirring as years past. Thank you!
Sweet - Kelly's awareness and kindness is abundant. He's a great 'kid' and understands it's the journey - not the race to the summit. Glad you still managed to fit your trip in with the wedding this year
Whew! So very well said. . . and not said. Thanks for taking us along on your journey - even if after the trip - annually. Your words brought me to tears...
Always enjoy the annual report on the hike with your son. Even more so this year with the passing of my wife due to cancer. Time with a loved one is priceless.
As someone who doesn't traffic mountaintops, I will say that I look forward to reading about your annual trip to some degree the same way you look forward to the trip itself.
When you first announced you would retire, I was most bummed about missing this annual report from Montreat. I am so appreciative of your substack. I cannot wait to pay you! And that is saying something coming from Timmy Thinwallet.
I have two boys, the oldest is seven and his brother is five. They don't know it yet, but I am planning an annual trip to Mt. Lookout. We hike the hills of Norwood nearly everyday so I can get them to the trail sooner. I know we are a few years out from our first annual trip, but I am already realizing that tables will turn. In a short time, I will be in the gym working out just to keep up with them.
With due respect to Mick Jagger, Time isn't on anyone's side except the Undertaker's. I'm a veteran of your odes to that sorrowful fact. And yet they have all been as fresh as I presume those mountain mornings to be. You guys are lucky indeed to have each other.
Been walking along with you two for years, I can smell the tress, feel the "pain"and long for my own bonding experince from my Dad and his "Hike" days. We built model planes/cars, made homeamde root beer, flew kites, passed ball (Field of Dreams kind of stuff) and anything that brought us together to make memories. Once took a bus from Dayton to Crosley when I was 6 yrs old. Keep making em Doc, Kelly with relive those as I do with my old man's days.
Doc, both my sons live out of town now, so time with them is even more precious than before. Hope you get to keep doing this trip with your son for another 23 years.
This is why I love reading your column/post/blog. You are so real. This stuff brings a tear to my eye. Consider yourself a very lucky man.
If you ever want to, you could take that pocket watch of your grandfather’s — a mighty fine one, I might add — and have it serviced by one of the best watchmakers in America, right there in Asheville at The Watchmaker’s Shop. Justin Harrell is his name, and you can tell him James sent ya.
So thrilled to have TML back, and the trip report from this year was just as stirring as years past. Thank you!
Sweet - Kelly's awareness and kindness is abundant. He's a great 'kid' and understands it's the journey - not the race to the summit. Glad you still managed to fit your trip in with the wedding this year
Look forward to this each year. My dad died long ago but your writing brings him back for a fleeting moment. Thanks
Whew! So very well said. . . and not said. Thanks for taking us along on your journey - even if after the trip - annually. Your words brought me to tears...
Always enjoy the annual report on the hike with your son. Even more so this year with the passing of my wife due to cancer. Time with a loved one is priceless.
Thank you for the gift of your writing.
As someone who doesn't traffic mountaintops, I will say that I look forward to reading about your annual trip to some degree the same way you look forward to the trip itself.
When you first announced you would retire, I was most bummed about missing this annual report from Montreat. I am so appreciative of your substack. I cannot wait to pay you! And that is saying something coming from Timmy Thinwallet.
I have two boys, the oldest is seven and his brother is five. They don't know it yet, but I am planning an annual trip to Mt. Lookout. We hike the hills of Norwood nearly everyday so I can get them to the trail sooner. I know we are a few years out from our first annual trip, but I am already realizing that tables will turn. In a short time, I will be in the gym working out just to keep up with them.
Thanks for your writing, Doc.
With due respect to Mick Jagger, Time isn't on anyone's side except the Undertaker's. I'm a veteran of your odes to that sorrowful fact. And yet they have all been as fresh as I presume those mountain mornings to be. You guys are lucky indeed to have each other.
Brilliant and touching, makes an old man Smile
Been walking along with you two for years, I can smell the tress, feel the "pain"and long for my own bonding experince from my Dad and his "Hike" days. We built model planes/cars, made homeamde root beer, flew kites, passed ball (Field of Dreams kind of stuff) and anything that brought us together to make memories. Once took a bus from Dayton to Crosley when I was 6 yrs old. Keep making em Doc, Kelly with relive those as I do with my old man's days.
Don't ever stop writing
always one of my Fav's Doc. Hope you had Dickey and the ABB blasting on the car trip down.
Dickey's Highway Call album is a sacred Blue Ridge Parkway staple, as is the Brothers tune High Falls.
Doc, both my sons live out of town now, so time with them is even more precious than before. Hope you get to keep doing this trip with your son for another 23 years.
Always one of your best every year. The pace of life these days means we all have to hit the pause button more often. More time...less stuff.