My Cure for Acrophobia… NOT
As much as I’ve been up and around the area, I’ve never been to the very top of Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. Positioned 5,946 feet up in the clouds, it’s height is impressive even when compared to that of Mt. Mitchell which stands at 6,684 feet – the highest peak in the eastern United States. Grandfather Mountain is definitely the highest point I’ve ever been in my life, and likely ever will be again. It’s surely high enough for me.
As we drove on past our favorite little town of Blowing Rock, NC we decided to visit the top of this infamous mountain. I learned a good bit about it, including the fact that Grandfather has more plant diversity contained in it’s area than in all of Europe. It’s landscaping and inhabitants are largely protected, which is always great to see. The admission fee included entrance to everything except the highland games. Nature museum, gift shop and restaurant, animal habitats, many impressive cliff points, walking trails, and never to be last – the mile-high swinging bridge.
Ohhhh, Mama.
I’ve worked feverishly for years to try and rid myself of this dreaded fear of heights, also known as Acrophobia. Countless trips to mountains, numerous rides on the Intimidator coaster (tallest and fastest in the Southeast), a couple of paragliding adventures over the Atlantic… but nothing could have prepared me for the entirely helpless panicked feeling of being out on that bridge.
I wanted to be able to snap a pic or two out on there, but I had to keep walking moving. My legs felt like jelly, I was shaking uncontrollably, and my chest felt as though I had entered into cardiac arrest. I couldn’t disappoint Keith, I knew how badly he wanted to walk it – but I simply cannot explain how terrified I was.
To say the drive up to the highest point/swinging bridge was treacherous was an understatement. Several complete u-turn points paved the way up the last several hundred feet, with nothing but sheer drop-off below. Each car literally had to stop and think first about what they were doing. Except for the pavement quality, it seriously reminded me of that tv show ‘Most Dangerous Roads’ usually found in third-world countries. And I thought the trip up was bad until I realized we had to come back down.
Another tidbit of info I learned: Remember when Forrest Gump ran across America? A portion of his trek was filmed while running up Grandfather Mountain (a curve now appropriately named “Forrest Gump Curve”. Ironically, I came home and the movie was on tv last night… one of these snapshots is of Forrest running around that particular curve on my tv. 🙂
I guess the height thing is one phobia I’m just going to have to live with. As far as ever conquering it, I can’t say I haven’t tried!
Life of Bon 
Stunning photos. And I love that movie!!! :0)
July 11, 2011 at 6:01 pm
Thanks jsh!! It was pretty cloudy out but we had a great time – other than me almost dying from fright, that is. That part kinda sucked. 🙂
‘Preciate you stopping in!!
July 11, 2011 at 9:24 pm
Looks awesome from the comfort and security of my living room! 🙂
July 11, 2011 at 7:17 pm
I know you well enough to know that’s so true, E. 🙂 We’ve just never jived very well with the height thing, have we? Love ya!
July 11, 2011 at 9:26 pm
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I don’t like heights either 🙂 stunning views though well done for getting up there!
July 12, 2011 at 6:12 am
Thanks Vix! We did have a blast once we were safely off that bridge. 😀
July 12, 2011 at 7:31 am
I’ve been to Grandfather Mountain more times than I can count. It’s where Eddie and I went for our honeymoon, but NOT ONCE have I crossed that “Mile High Bridge”! Nor will I EVER cross that bridge! There is simply NOT enough money on this planet to get me on that bridge! Karen went there with her “sperm donor” father and I knew he would make her walk that bridge and I had a rolling picture in my head of her falling off of that bridge. I swear I made myself sick with worry.
As for the driving…as long as the person driving is acting like a sane person, I have no problem, but I have been on those winding, cliff dropping roads with my dad, who drank the whole way. It’s only by the grace of God that I didn’t die! Thinks to myself..”Thank you Lord”!
I have too many phobias to count and yes, Acrophobia is one. When you learn to overcome it, let me know how you did it!! 🙂 Love ya!
July 12, 2011 at 11:39 am
I’ve come to the realization that I won’t be overcoming this phobia anytime soon, or even at all. It sure isn’t from a lack of trying. Very cool place to go for your honeymoon – love ya Helen!! 🙂
July 14, 2011 at 7:48 pm
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They say phobias are an unnatural fear of things because of distorted and unfounded apprehensions. Well let me tell them something right here and now. There REALLY is a monster under my bed. And standing on a 4 foot ladder is a death defying act of pure insanity. And you mean to tell me “I gotta take my car to the repair shop” is a mere phobia?
July 13, 2011 at 7:05 am
Definite food for thought, Carl. I know my pounding heart doesn’t lie to me, at least I don’t think so. Which leads me to this monster shortage I’ve been hearing of – I wonder if your monster and my monster are somehow related? 🙂
July 14, 2011 at 7:51 pm