Uncloistered

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  “She gazed ahead through a long reach of future days strung together like pearls in a rosary, every one like the others, and all smooth and flawless and innocent, and her heart went up in thankfulness. Outside was the fervid summer afternoon; the air was filled with the sounds of the busy harvest of men and birds and bees; there were halloos, metallic clatterings, sweet calls, and long hummings. Louisa sat, prayerfully numbering her days, like an uncloistered nun.” A New England Nun By Mary E. Wilkins Freeman (1852–1930)

Black Crest Trail

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The U.S. Forest Service calls the Black Crest Trail the most rugged trail in the Eastern United States (map). We ascended this North Carolina trail from Bolen's Creek to Mount Mitchell in two days, summiting 10 peaks culminating in a total altitude change of 3,485 feet across 15 miles. This was the pinnacle experience of our lives, taking everything we had to give physically, mentally, emotionally--and the spiritual impact was not lacking. Makes me wonder "what's next?" Please enjoy our video below, or click on this direct link.


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