Blue Ridge Country July/August 2022 - 11

MILL CREEK STORIES
Years ago, my sister and I took a girls' weekend away
at the Peaks of Otter Lodge in Bedford, Virginia. What did
we do? We climbed trees. Mind you, we were both over
40 at the time but a really good climbing tree is not to
be ignored. They have several wonderful climbing trees
around Abbott Lake and it was wonderfully peaceful. I
highly recommend the trees at the lodge. I think they
have other things to do as well, but we didn't get to any
of them.
My grandpa and grandma had the very best climbing
tree in their yard. I learned to climb on that tree. It had
a limb that swung low, so it was easy to get started as a
short person. It also had a swing, which made it better
than trees that didn't have swings. I spent hours on that
tree.
The only downfall was that it had a lot of exposed
roots and until I got my glasses, I fell a lot. I watered
that tree with blood from my skinned knees but I didn't
care. When I got glasses, the ophthalmologist told my
mama that it was a wonder I knew that trees had leaves,
my eyesight was so bad. My mother informed him that
I had to know about leaves because I was always climbing
up trees and sitting among the leaves. I guess I was
getting close enough to see the leaves without corrective
lenses.
One of the poems I read in school was " Christmas
Trees " by Robert Frost. My reaction to it was insult. The
audacity of the city slicker offering a mere pittance for all
of Mr. Frost's beloved firs. Mr. Frost, chase that ignorant
man off your property and don't let him come back, ever.
I was heartbroken to learn that not everyone was emotionally
attached to trees. How can that be?
It is my hope that when I move into my next house,
there's a good, solid, welcoming tree in which I can build
a treehouse. I don't think I can shimmy up a rope to get
in it now, so proper steps might be needed, but I will still
spend hours in my beloved trees. When I was little, most
of the trees surrounding our property were pines and
they simply do not accommodate a good treehouse. You
need a hardwood tree like an oak or a sycamore for a solid
house. Pines dance too much in the wind. Not stable
enough for a reading nook in the sky. A treehouse is the
height of perfection. What could ever be better?
I wish for you the peace of being amongst the trees.
Turn off the news, find a good tree, make friends with it,
and breathe.
Capon Springs and Farms
Turn family vacations into
family heirlooms.
Tucked in the scenic Allegheny Mountains
of West Virginia, Capon Springs and Farms
is a historic, all-inclusive resort that has
been welcoming guests to their home away
from home for 90 years. During your stay,
discover several ways to unwind including a
golf course, hiking trails, fishing and a spa,
which features one-of-a-kind hot spring
water soaking baths, massages and more.
Explore more at
WVtourism.com/CaponSprings
JULY / AUGUST 2022 11
http://www.WVtourism.com/CaponSprings
Blue Ridge Country July/August 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country July/August 2022
