A Trip Gone Awry, Yet a Lesson to Find

Family vacations never seem to go as planned. No matter how early we plan to leave, we always peel out two hours past the time scheduled. No matter how few rest stops we plan to take, every thirty minutes another person requires a toilet. As a family of five, each having their own needs, travel times tend to be disrupted. So, regardless of the warning that mountainous North Carolina roads heading towards Wyndham Resort at Fairfield Sapphire Valley are “dangerous at night”, and the entrance is “difficult to find”, here the Middleton’s were, navigating sans-GPS at 11pm. Just as we thought the roads could not possibly become more precarious, the sky decided to dump all its problems on us in a torrential downpour.

►  QUARTER FINALIST 2012 TEEN TRAVEL WRITING SCHOLARSHIP

And the Middleton’s? We just laughed. Laughed and held on for dear life.

The next week involved adventures uncommon to Floridian Flat-Landers. Having recently achieved an important milestone in a youngster’s life, my newly acquired driver’s permit and I took on US-64, the same mountainous road which gave us humor upon arrival.  This time however, for some reason, it gave my father heart palpitations.  The impatient youngster of the family (Josiah) found out what a two mile hike felt like… and the rest of the family figured out what carrying a 60 pound 8-year old up a cliff felt like.  Regardless of the work, the majestic Rainbow Falls at the end certainly proved worth the effort, providing a sweet fresh mist and a real life postcard view.  Since the trip fell on Easter week, the Middleton’s experienced Easter Sunday at the pinnacle of the Almighty’s creation: atop the Blue Ridge Mountains. This unique worship experience remains a life-long imprinted memory.  

Perhaps this trip did not succeed precisely as planned, but a decent percent of my fondest memories and life lessons spawn from this particular week. The slicked down mountainous roads, threatening to take my life at any moment, forced me to face my fear. And I laughed in its face. If I could drive the roads of North Carolina, I figured, I certainly could handle any traffic in my hometown. Thus, this translated further than simply operating a vehicle. I learned fear is not what defines me, but my reaction to that fear does.  Likewise, despite Josiah’s incessant fighting, we experienced immense wonder at the end of the journey.  This reminded us of an incredibly important fact:  regardless of him having Down syndrome and “low muscle tone,” he still needs to see the world. And he can. He must be enlightened to wonder just like the rest of us, even if he fights tooth and nail.  Most powerfully, the happiness found when rejoicing on a mountain top helped bring to mind the blessings bestowed upon me. The joy of that moment, being suspended at the height of creation, helped sustain me through the immense sorrow which unknowingly awaited me at home the following week.  

The area surrounding Sapphire Valley continues to be the most picturesque, gorgeous, relaxing, and inviting place I have ever visited. Though two years have passed, crystal-clear memories of the falls and other escapades prove impossible to forget. The training received through the natural surroundings and unique experiences also continue to fuel my day-to-day life, shaping who I have become today. Indeed, Duke University, my top college choice, earned that position partially through its proximity to the memories made that week. This trip clearly showed no passport is required to have an eye-opening travel experience.