23 Years, A Campfire, and an Adventure Home

 

Sometimes the best adventures aren't the ones you plan. They're the ones God puts in your path.

This weekend, Jennifer and I celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary with a little getaway to the mountains of North Georgia. After six hours on the road, we arrived at Black Rock Mountain State Park, ready to do something we don't always get enough of—slow down, relax, and simply enjoy being together.

Greetings from North Georgia

                               

A Weekend in the Mountains

Black Rock Mountain was the perfect place to escape for a couple of nights. We set up camp Friday and Saturday and spent our time exploring the area, including a hike along the lake trail.

But honestly, the biggest part of the weekend wasn't how many miles we hiked.

It was the opportunity to rest.

After all the miles we've traveled and adventures we've experienced, there is something special about sitting around a campfire with the person you've shared 23 years of marriage with.

Each night we sat by the fire, looking up at an amazingly clear sky filled with stars. No schedule. No rushing. Just a campfire, the mountains, and time together.

On Saturday we headed into Dillard, Georgia, for lunch at Blue Hound BBQ. The food was good—but the conversation was even better.

While we were there, we met a couple who had moved to the area from Atlanta. What started as a simple lunch turned into one of those conversations that makes you glad you stopped.

That's one of the things we have learned through traveling.

You never really know who God is going to put in your path.

We then went to the Foxfire Museum. If you haven't been there you should definitely research it and visit if you get a chance.

Koda loves being in the woods

Overlook from visitor's center

Black Rock Mountain Lake

Sky from the campfire

Grist Mill at Foxfire Museum

Sunday: The Real Adventure Begins

Sunday morning, it was time to pack up.

We took down camp, loaded everything into the vehicle, and started our six-hour journey home.

Except we weren't planning on taking the quickest route home.

We had an itinerary.

And quite a day ahead of us.

Our first stop was Goats on the Roof, only about 20 minutes away. Unfortunately, we discovered that we had arrived a little too early.

They were closed.

So we improvised.

We stopped at Dunkin' for some morning coffee, and while we were talking with the manager, he happened to hear that it was our anniversary.

He surprised us by giving us six free donuts!

We hadn't planned on that stop, and we certainly hadn't planned on free donuts. But sometimes the unexpected moments are the best ones.

With coffee and donuts in hand, we continued down the road.

Thank you for the donuts

Tallulah Gorge — 600 Steps and Some Amazing Views

Our next stop was Tallulah Gorge State Park.

We hiked the North Rim Trail and made our way toward the suspension bridge.

And when I say there were stairs, I mean stairs.

The hike down to the suspension bridge involved more than 300 steps—and then, of course, those same steps had to be climbed again.

Another 300 or so steps.

That's a lot of stairs when you're supposed to be having a relaxing anniversary weekend!

But Jennifer and Koda, our golden doodle, handled it like a team.

Koda was more than just along for the hike. He truly helped Jennifer work her way up and down those stairs. Watching the two of them work together was one of the highlights of the day.

And the views?

Absolutely breathtaking.

Standing above the gorge and looking across the massive walls of rock makes you realize just how incredible God's creation is.

We took our time enjoying the overlooks before heading back toward the park store.

And that's where Jennifer's adventure took a slightly different direction.

She spent an extended amount of time exploring the park store.

Let's just say she found plenty of goodies.

Eventually, though, we managed to get back on the road.

Jennifer and Koda climbing

Toccoa Falls

Our next destination was Toccoa Falls.

The waterfall drops approximately 186 feet, making it taller than Niagara Falls in terms of its vertical drop.

The falls were beautiful, but once again, the people we met made the stop even better.

We had the opportunity to meet some very nice people there and enjoy some great conversations.

It's funny how often that happens when we travel.

We may set out thinking we're going somewhere to see a waterfall, hike a trail, or visit a park.

But God has a way of putting people in front of us.

Toccoa Falls

                                              

Lunch, Walmart, and a Love Lock

By this point, we were getting hungry, so we stopped at Captain D's for lunch.

The food was good, the service was good, and we were back on the road.

Our next destination was Savannah Rapids Park.

But there was one important thing we needed before we could get there.

A lock.

So we made a quick stop at Walmart and bought one.

Why?

Because Savannah Rapids has a lock bridge, and we wanted to leave something behind to celebrate our 23rd anniversary.

We found our place on the bridge, attached our lock, and then threw the keys into the canal.

Twenty-three years of marriage.

One lock.

And a whole lot of memories.

The park itself was beautiful, with wonderful views and a peaceful atmosphere.

But once again, the best part wasn't necessarily the scenery.

It was the people.

Jennfier writing on the lock

Time to throw the keys away

Just us

Having some good conversation

The Best Part of the Journey

While we were there, we met another couple and had a great conversation with them.

And once again, the conversation eventually turned toward God.

Those are the moments we treasure.

We've learned that traveling isn't just about the destinations.

It's about the people God allows us to meet along the way.

A restaurant.

A coffee shop.

A waterfall.

A state park.

A campground.

A hiking trail.

A random conversation with a stranger.

Any of these places can become an opportunity to show someone the love of Jesus.

And that's really what Backpacking Believers is all about.

We don't travel simply to see beautiful places.

We travel because we believe that wherever we go, there are people who need encouragement, kindness, hope, and the love of Christ.

Heading Home

After Savannah Rapids Park, we finally settled in for the relaxing drive back to Beaufort, South Carolina.

It had been a long day.

We had packed up camp, driven through the mountains, attempted to visit goats that weren't awake yet, received six free donuts, climbed hundreds of stairs, admired a breathtaking gorge, visited a waterfall, eaten lunch, bought an anniversary lock, explored a beautiful park, and met some wonderful people.

And somehow, the six-hour drive home didn't seem so long.

Our weekend anniversary trip reminded us of something we've learned over and over again:

The destination isn't always the adventure. Sometimes the adventure is the road between the destinations.

And sometimes the most important part of that road is the person God puts beside you—or the person He puts in your path.

After 23 years of marriage, I am thankful for every mile Jennifer and I have traveled together.

I'm thankful for the quiet nights around the campfire.

I'm thankful for the mountains and waterfalls.

I'm thankful for the unexpected donuts.

I'm thankful for Koda faithfully helping Jennifer conquer those stairs.

I'm thankful for every person we met.

But most of all, I'm thankful that God continues to give us opportunities to talk with people about Him and to show His love wherever we go.

We don't know where the next road will lead.

But wherever it takes us, we want to keep doing what God has called us to do:

Preach the Kingdom. Share the love.

Carrying the love of Jesus to every elevation across the nation.

— Chris & Jennifer
Backpacking Believers