When I first moved to Athens, Georgia, a friend asked me if I wanted to go to the mountains. I was unaware there were mountains near Athens.

As we drove into the Blue Ridge Mountains, I actually chuckled and told him that those were not mountains. Where was the timberline?

We became hiking partners and best friends and spent almost every weekend over 20 years hiking all over these beautiful mountains. I have found these mountains to be so friendly, green and welcoming. I especially love that in the winter, the tops of the mountains have bare trees that look like long eyelashes — so much more lovely than the rocky crags out west.

Sadly, my friend is gone now, but upon retirement I packed up and moved here to live in paradise.

Diane Winstanley, Hayesville, a member of Blue Ridge Mountain EMC