Carolina State Of Mind

Over the past week Deb & I have been preparing to hit the open road again. After our delays in departing a month ago, I am hesitant to say we will be leaving the Flower Mill RV Park in Taylors, SC next Monday for a month stay in White Springs, FL.(Karmic projections and all that.) But the one thing the delays taught me is that life has a way of disrupting even the best-laid plans. However, this time, except for an act of God or some other freak occurrence everything is in place for a certain departure.

During our preparations we have also discussed how much we will miss this area. It has given us so much in many blessed ways. Our stay was longer than planned, but that worked out for the best. It provided quality time with family, a chance to meet new friends, the opportunities to enjoy exquisite foods and the joys of entering into a Carolina state of mind.

The best way to understand a Carolina state of mind is to stand in a check-out line at a grocery store. Nobody is in a rush. Everyone is talking to each other. The clerks are asking a customer about their Momma or Daddy. The person in front of you will kindly ask if you would like to go ahead of them. A total stranger will proceed to tell you their life story. If you ask someone behind you if they would like to go first their response will usually be, "No, you go right ahead. I'm in no hurry. All I've got to do is go home and clean the house, so I'll just rest while I'm here in line and how ya doing today?"

Everyone here is openly friendly, patient and makes you feel a part of the community even though you've never met them before. People wave at total strangers as they drive down the street. They sit quietly in line at a congested traffic light. During our five months here we heard a total of two honking car horns and both vehicles had plates from Northeastern states (go figure). The pace of life is slower and more respectful. All one has to do is experience the rudeness of people in S. Florida, New York or many others places we have been and it becomes vividly clear that people in the Carolinas define the meaning of the Golden Rule.

A Carolina state of mind also arises from the land. This is a good land blessed with ample water, the gently rolling majesty of the mountains, the soft-wave music of the beach and the explosion of flowers in the spring. It is in the sounds of the Whip-Or-Wills singing through the night. It is in the reflections of a full moon on lush forests or fertile farmlands. It is the peace one feels from experiencing these gifts of the land - and more.
So, for now, we say goodbye and thank you to the Carolinas for a wonderful visit. Thank you Mom and Dad for your hospitality. Thank you Bucky's Bar-B-Que and the Plaid Pelican for marvelous food. Thank you local residents for your friendship and thank you Flower Mill RV Park for a peaceful place to stay.

Although we are headed to new regions, we know that the Carolinas will be a part of us forever. That's the one thing about entering into a Carolina state of mind - once it's there it never leaves you no matter where you go. Somewhere down the road that fine old tune by James Taylor will resound through our heads and we'll be singing:

In my mind I'm gone to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Maybe just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind...

copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer
photos by Deb