Why Live Anywhere Else?

I had just come back from a trip to North Florida, and then through L. A. (you know, lower Alabama) and I was sitting at our place in White County, looking across the valley at Chimney Mountain, then farther north to Tray Mountain. And the thought struck me: "I'm not sure we even know how to enjoy this magnificent place in which we live." Great people live in this area. We have a reasonably good economy. We have few mosquitos, and practically no gnats. We have four distinct seasons here ... each with its own activities; each its own beauty.

Chimney Mountain right now is a deep forest green when the sun is on it; almost black where the late afternoon shadows are coming into play. A little later this year bright yellow dots will appear, and then the entire mountain will turn a fiery red, for it is almost solid hardwoods. And gradually it will turn winter-gray, and the white rock faces - now hidden by leaves - will surprise us with their presence. Much of the winter the mountain itself will be covered by misty clouds. And then, come Spring ... April, May ? ...the bright green, and with it the pink-white mountain laurel. Four incredible seasons.

And I sat there and wondered: why would anyone ... anyone ... want to live anywhere else in the whole wide world?

This is Gordon Sawyer, and may the wind always be at your back.