When It All Came Tumbling Down

This was the first morning since Helene that my husband and I sat down to review our weekly calendar. There’s enough routine now and reliable utilities to  plan our work hours, schedule zooms, coordinate playdates for our kids, and even add something social or fun on top of it all. That’s not to say things are back to normal. We still drive over a dozen downed power lines to get to our house; the water coming out of our faucet isn’t safe for drinking and stings your eyes in the shower, WIFI is intermittent, school is still out, and we are still hearing heartbreaking stories from friends in different corners of WNC. But the framework of daily life is slowly being put back together.

I’m not sure if it was from the boredom of being at home or perhaps just being ready for a change, but this past week our son with the long golden locks decided it was time for a fresh new ‘do’. My husband went to work with his clippers and when it was all over we could better see our son’s freckled face. And the grandparents rejoiced. This past weekend, my mom even “rewarded” Gus for his haircut with a trip to our favorite gem mine in Hendersonville.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Jennifer Pharr Davis.

LAST UPDATED

December 24, 2024

Written by
Photo thumbnail Blog Author

Jennifer Pharr Davis

Hiker, Speaker, Author

Jennifer Pharr Davis is an internationally recognized adventurer, speaker, author, and entrepreneur who has hiked more than 14,000 miles of trails on six different continents.

In 2011 she set the overall fastest known time on the Appalachian Trail by finishing the 2,185-mile foot path in 46 days (an average of 47 miles a day). And she hasn't slowed down since.

Jennifer has backpacked 700 miles pregnant, walked across North Carolina while nursing her newborn son, and hiked in all 50 states with her two-year-old daughter.

She is a member of the President’s Council of Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, was featured in the 2020 IMAX film Into America’s Wild, and served on the board of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Jennifer is truly a force of nature. But what excites her most is introducing people to the life-changing opportunities that nature provides.

Explore More Content

No items found.

Media Mentions

For clothing and gear (but not skin), Sawyer Products’s permethrin repellent is as effective as similar formulas at repelling ticks and mosquitoes, and its trigger spray is easier to control.

Wirecutter Staff
Staff

Media Mentions

Top Bug Repellent - Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent

Wirecutter Staff
Staff

Media Mentions

There's nothing worse than running out of water mid-hike, but with the Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System, you can make any fresh water ready to drink in minutes. It filters out everything from sediment to bacteria from the water, and can be a real lifesaver in a pinch.

Popular Mechanics