Pisgah Covered Bridge

I like to go back to places where we went together and discovered something magical and special. Out on a land photography expedition 60 miles south of Greensboro a few years back, Cheryl and I saw a sign that read , "Pisgah Covered Bridge Ahead". I looked at her, and she at me, and we both smiled because we knew we could work a stop there enroute back from our destination. We took the photos of the land and as we retraced our path we turned in the direction of the bridge. It was a beautiful early Fall day and the temperature was quite pleasant.

After a couple of miles, we turned into the visitor parking area and were immediately transformed into an idylic refuge of tall hardwood trees and a sparkling brook racing 'neath the century old covered bridge. We stopped and the world seemed to stop with us, all the struggles, the anxieties, the outright fears just dropped off behind us as we entered the serenity offered in this magical place. We had much on our minds and we felt an unseen arm wrap around us and tell us that everything was going to be allright.

You can walk through the bridge and then follow a trail that goes a few hundred yards alongside the creek and then crosses over and leads you back toward the parking area on the other side of the creek. It was a refreshing half hour communal with the creator and and his creation. I will never forget the first visit, and everytime I am reminded of it, my heart smiles with great joy. We parted with a bit of sadness because it had been such a delightful interlude in the midst of our storm.

Dakota was with me on another photographic expedition when I realized that we were close to the bridge South of Asheboro. I took him there and I think he enjoyed it also. as there is much nature to be discovered and admired.  He borrowed my camera and snapped a few of his own.

Imagine my surprise last week when I looked up and saw the same sign as I was headed for another photo opportunity South of Asheboro. Naturally, I routed myself home with the covered bridge enroute. It's not large, only a single wagon  wide a century ago and then a single auto when they were introduced in the early 20's. It hasn't been used for anything but a footbridge for many years, and juveniles have sprayed graffiti all over the inside walls, but it still offers a sanctuary from all the hustle and bustle and the cares of this world. It has been almost a year since we lost Cheryl, but reliving that special little moment in time lifted my spirits with sweet memories of her.