Easter Sunday

And all throughout eternity
Our song will be the same
Hallelujah, Christ is risen from the grave
(From Christ is Risen by Phil Wickham)

This was one of the songs we sang in the Easter Service at New Life Community Church this morning.  It was a wonderful service, full of praise and celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.  Pastor Chris highlighted a phrase from Luke 24: Why do you seek the living among the dead?  Jesus is alive, with overwhelming evidence from Christian and non-Christian sources alike.  With Jesus alive, what will our response be?  The greatest tragedy would be to miss the call of Easter.

After church we drove east on I-40 to Catawba Falls, located near Old Fort.  Driving in, we could see this was a popular place with the large parking lot nearly full.  Apparently this is known not just by the locals--I counted about a dozen states when looking at the license plates on the cars parked here.

This trail is about 1.5 miles one way, a fairly easy hike, and on a warm day it was a pleasant walk.  It passes the remnants of a 1920’s hydroelectric dam that provided power for the town of Old Fort.  Part of the dam and a few walls of a couple buildings are still there.

Catawba Falls cascades about 100 feet over large rocks and its popularity could be seen by the throngs of people there.  Nearly every flat surface was occupied by someone enjoying the day.  Along one side there was a way to scramble up to the top of the falls.  Still more people enjoying the falls from the top.  It was rather difficult to get a picture without someone in it.

After the falls, we drove over a twisty-turny road towards Chimney Rock State Park.  Another busy place, but with some cool views.    We hiked the trail to Hickory Nut Falls, which was featured in the movie The Last of the Mohicans.  Lots of great views, well worth the drive and the entry fee.

When we arrived at the top parking lot, we saw a small stage with a cross on it.  Apparently there was an Easter sunrise service here.  What a cool place to have an Easter service, especially as this faces east, towards the sunrise.

This State Park closes at 7pm.  We left at 7pm, probably one of the last to leave.  We got back to the Cove just as it was getting dark and starting to rain.  We do manage to pack it in.