My dad offered to take my family on a little weekend getaway this summer. He asked where we would like to go and while most people pipe up begging for a beach trip, my mom and I eagerly proposed the idea of a trip to the mountains. It's not that I don't like the beach, I enjoy it just fine. The uniqueness of the mountains simply calls to me in a manner that the beach never could. Let me explain.
I am a total nature lover. If given a choice between going tanning by the pool or going hiking to a waterfall, I will always choose the hike. The ocean is beautiful, but what is the challenge of getting there? The sand may be annoying but a hike provides a strenuous exercise that leads to much more appreciation of the views at hand. The beauty of nature is so stunning and so underrated. I highly encourage everyone to take the time to enjoy a little nature hike for themselves.
Second, one of my favorite parts of the beach is seafood. I never thought I would be able to say this but I actually prefer the dining options in the mountains. You see, the restaurants in the mountains provide unique experiences that aren't offered at the beach. One of the most awesome places I have seen while on this trip has been Rocky's. Rocky's is a 50's diner that serves in relation to that decade. Going there is almost like visiting a time warp. It not only looked the part of a 50's diner, but the ice cream was served just like you would see in an old movie. Maybe that's a bad example being that movies aren't the best basis for reality, but I am telling you that nothing at the beach gives you the experience and strange options you can get in the mountains.
What most people can't get past about the mountains is the inability to use a phone at certain altitudes. Let me tell you, the peace and quiet can be super nice and it can allow you to experience the atmosphere so much better. If you're a dog person, so many people (shop owners included) are showing their dogs off all over the town and they'll almost always let you stop to pet them. If you're a total people person then feel free to talk to anyone. It's like Mayberry, anyone is a friend if you acknowledge them. Then if you're not much of a dog person or a people person, the music festivals and art galleries in the mountains are off the hook. While you have nice beach music at the beach, in the mountains you get full blown music festivals starring artists such as Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors. What's so wonderful about being here in the mountains is that everyone is free to be who they wish to be. Walking around I have seen everything from retired and well off adults to metalheads and not one person was looked at strangely. It's such a friendly and quiet place to be which makes it the perfect escape from the world's bombarding tragedies.
While it may be the less popular opinion, I would choose the mountains over the beach any day. Nothing has home written on my heart quite like those beautiful moments in the mountains do. Home is definitely where the heart is, and my heart is here.
