A LITTLE SHOT OF US WITH NO OTHER PHOTOGRAPHER AVAILABLE
For Rachel's fall break, we decided once again to go to Asheville, NC. It is such a wonderful place, and the leaves are always a little ahead of ours in changing colours.
During our trip, we ran on some trails just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then, we took a drive down the BRPkwy to attempt to get to the highest point east of the Mississippi River (Mount Mitchell). However, the fog was so bad the higher up we went, that we decided against going to the top and instead went to the Devil's Courthouse.
As you can see from the picture, it was fairly high in elevation itself (Mt. Mitchell was supposedly around 6600 ft in elevation). We got to walk up to the top, and it was really awesome to be able to see from such a high point. It is amazing to think as well how God formed the mountains, and it even looks from high up that he molded them like playdough. I am always amazed at his work when I get to see it from that angle. It really helps put things into perspective.
Well, we couldn't have a vacation without something funny happening. So, Rachel and I decided while we were in Asheville to do a cross country 5K. It was ran on grass and trails, which was just what we used to do in college. Since we were running on grass, I decided to go up to the attic and get out my old cross country spikes from college. At the start line, I felt great and the shoes were extremely light (just like I remembered them). We took off, and things were going great. I was in 3rd place after just a few minutes, and I was really looking forward to finishing with a good time because the weather was great, the course was flat, and it is just fun to run on grass courses. So like said, everything was going great until about the half mile mark. I suddenly felt like I had something stuck to the bottom of my shoe. I was bummed out, but I figured it would work itself off. Well, every step it seemed to be getting worse. I felt like the bottom of my shoe was flopping, and lo and behold it WAS!! My sole of my shoe was coming off, and it only took about 20 seconds for the entire process. About 20 seconds after I thought I had something stuck to the bottom of my shoe, I no longer had a sole on my shoe at all!!! Thankfully, Nike was smart enough to attach the spike plate into a better layer on the shoe so I still had my actual spikes for traction.
US AFTER THE 5K
I went on to finish 3rd overall, and I was pleased with my effort. Rachel finished 2nd, and was just off of her season best time (only 15 sec off). We hung around after the race, and when Rach and I were doing our cooldown, I found my shoe sole. :)
All in all, it was a great trip. We came back fairly energized, although on the way back home we got a roofing nail stuck in our back car tire and had to stop at Walmart to get new tires. While in Walmart, our credit card was denied because the company thought it was being used fraudulently in Tennessee and North Carolina. However, we made it back safely, and we're looking forward to going again next year!!
