Down from the mountain

We call it "on the mountain." It's the Cumberland Plateau and its elevation only becomes apparent on approaching it, or in reference to one of the many gorges carved into it. The escarpments, and especially the gorges, provide a seemingly endless variety of landforms that form the backdrop of my life, but also speak of something deeper. It's home.

Our ancestors came here more than 200 years ago. They raised families, divided the land, raised more families, and further divided the land. When there was no longer enough land to feed new families, many came down from the mountain to cities and jobs.

Some came home on weekends.

Some came home to retire.

Some came home to be buried.

But like the water flowing down from the mountain, we always come back. It's home.