Tuesday, March 4. A day off work.
I had done responsible things most of the day, and enjoyed lunch with Terri at Fazolis. Will's tags expired in February for his Camaro, so I wanted to go get his plate renewed. $29 and trip to Winchester.
Could ride the motorcycle.
Might take the long way home.
A storm was on the way. The wind was gusting at 40 miles an hour. Rain supposed to be here at 8. Temp was nice, 68 degrees. I got the tags, and left the courthouse at 3:30.
I traveled east on 41A towards Cowan. Then I thought of Roark's Cove. Jason, Brad, Jeff, and I used to ride bikes up that way. It's an elevation gain of 900 feet, and has several switchback curves. It's a climb that serious bike riders around here go looking for. It's a good test of skills, determination, and cardio.
So I turned left on the Hwy 64 bypass and hit the gas. The wind was steady. right to left, from the south. Leaves, trash, and dust blew across the highway like a scene from a movie. Getting off the highway in Alto and out of this wind was looking like the right thing to do.
The fields and farms along the way were still in their winter slumber. Nothing green yet except early wheat, and buttercups. The wheat fields were about a foot tall and bright green. A colorful contrast to the red dirt, and gray clouds and sky above. I'm reminded that wheat grows when nothing else will.
Roark's cove climb to Sewanee on the motorcycle was easy enough. It seems like a lifetime ago that we pedaled up this hill. When I had to downshift in the steepest parts, I was glad to be on a motorbike, and not on a bicycle. I think I can still make it up on a bicycle. But then again, a man always thinks he can climb one more mountain.
The road pops out at the Football stadium at Sewanee. I worked my way through campus, to South Carolina Avenue and took a right. The college kids were returning to their apartments and dorms from classes. Most were not dressed for the cool weather and wind. They hugged their books and walked quickly, not looking around much.
A couple of turns to Tennessee Avenue, then a right. At the end of Tennessee Avenue is the cross, and the overlook.
We've been there a dozen or more times over the years. We took the kids from church several times, about sunset. The different seasons and times of day offer a new and beautiful perspective.
Tuesday, I was the only one there.
Below is a link to an excellent article, by Jerry Smith, and Sam Williamson, University of the South Historiographers. There are pictures, and details about the visionary people that made the Cross a reality in 1922.
