On the Mountaintop . . . for Real!

"In the beginning, when this great universe lay in the mind of God, like unborn forests in the acorn-cup; long ere the echoes waked the solitudes, before the mountains were brought forth, and long ere the light flashed through the sky, God loved his chosen creatures."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)

                                                                        Spruce Knob

There I was, all by myself, on top of the world! 4863 feet. The highest point in West Virginia. And it was a long drive to the top!

Spruce Knob was one of the places I wanted to go as I drove through Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. The sky was a striking blue and the temperature was pleasant. I wanted to have a "mountaintop" experience in the land of wild and wonderful.

Half way up the gravel and dirt road, two work trucks passed. Other than those trucks, I was virtually alone on this winding road and slow drive. Just when I was beginning to wonder if I'd made a wrong turn, another work machine, leveling the dirt, came by. I flagged him down and said: "I think I may be lost." He replied, "You're not lost. You're right here." It made me smile.

I'd been on top of Pike's Peak in Colorado once, with a friend, but this was the first time I reached the summit alone. That last 1,000 yards started my heart a fluttering! No railings protected the side of the road coming back down, and I got as close to the other side as I could. I also came down the wrong side of the dirt road when I left. I wasn't taking any chances! and I was very glad there was no wind.

We often talk about having a "mountaintop" experience, whether it's on top of a mountain or in the coziness of our home. John Hamby says: "It is from the mountain top spiritual experiences that we gain the encouragement and strength to face the difficult times."

I've had my share of "mountaintop" experiences with the Living Lord. Nothing can compare to knowing God is with you and helping you each day. Yet there's something to being on top of the world, alone, and looking at God's creation.

I did find a blacktop road for my descend back to level ground and stopped at a restaurant for an ice cream sundae! I needed to celebrate! I was back down to earth!

My four days driving around mountains and winding roads were thrilling, and God didn't disappoint with the beauty of His creation.

I chose a trip to West Virginia so I could visit a dear friend I hadn't seen in 35 years. We had been sister-in-laws in my 20s and stayed in touch until my early 30s. With life changes we lost touch. Then, in 2014, I found her daughter on Facebook and was reunited with my friend, who was now a sister-in-Christ.

What a glorious time we had being together and sharing our hearts.

God always seems to surprise me with the desires of my heart! One morning as I began the day I came upon a cow with two new born calves! You know me and my baby animals! What a way to start my day!

My lodging was at an Inn in the valley and provided quiet, calm and a refreshing view. They had their own family of deer which I was happy to watch as they lingered in the field. I stayed in the "Garden Room" at the Inn and came back each day to sit in a garden and rest.

In the lower part of the forest is the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and it is against the law to use a cell phone. For an hour north, south, east and west there was no cell service. I admit, when I was at the top of Spruce Knob, I was wishing I had cell service!

You never know what you'll find around each curve in the road. When I came up on this old gas station and the little green truck I just had to stop and take a picture.

I loved this farm I came upon with the mountains completely covered with fog. One of many curves in the road that provided delicious scenes!

I even found this house snuggled up to the mountains and decided I could live there!

It was a wonderful few days away from the grind of life to appreciate a little bit of heaven in the mountains of West Virginia. All of this wouldn't have been possible without Jerry staying home and caring for Mom. He gave me his blessing to go and have fun. And that's just what I did!

"Does not all nature around me praise God? If I were silent, I should be an exception to the universe. Does not the thunder praise him as it rolls like drums in the march of the God of armies? Do not mountains praise him when the woods upon their summits wave in adoration? Does not the lightning write his name in letters of fire. Has not the whole earth a voice? And shall I, can I, silent be?"
Charles Haddon Spurgeon