Pics & Blairsville

After having walked through yet another deluge for several hours, I left the stream (that’s what the trail had become) for a true stop in town at Blairsville. What a town! Yes, any town would be a welcome site, but I’ve been very impressed by this one. Plus, part of the fun of the trail is going into these mountain towns to meet great people (and enjoy the splendors of normal living). Blairsville gets my strong approval, especially Colleen and Chris at Season’s Inn (with its prayer garden and no Sunday check-in policy) and their connections to the local Catholic community. I even got a ride from a Catholic author, Colleen Orchanian, out to St Francis. Finally, there are great eats here, and the local shops even offer Amarone and Ripasso di Valpollicella (not purchased) and Illy coffee — bravo! The people at Luckys and the Hole in the Walk feel so very good. It all feels so very good. Oh, and the food was a real surprise — I came back not just to regular food but foodie-quality regular food. Knowing such blessings exist will make weathering the next storms easier.