May 11, 2007 - Updated July 10, 2007
 Enjoying the Cool Mountain AIR were Norm & Frieda Wyner and John and Emylee McBrearty. |
This is the time of year when summer heat and humidity can make running in Florida a less than pleasant experience. Add to that the smoke from the fires in Northeast Florida and an early tropical storm that is churning up the shoreline of Fernandina Beach. Those of us who have left Florida for the mountains of North Carolina where the altitude makes for cooler temperatures, consider oursleves very lucky. Two AIR member families who have done so are the Wyners and the McBreartys. On May 11th, we got together at the McBrearty's summer getaway in Woodlawn, NC for a morning run and a delicious post-run breakfast. |
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The running activity began on a trail in the Pisgah National Forest to an impressive 200 foot waterfall. Norm had brought a bike along but quickly determined that it would be mostly useless on the mountain trails so he decided to run as best he could although we wouldn't be able to keep up with Frieda and John. Then, Frieda and John set out on a gravel road through the Pisgah Forest. Like all mountain roads it had some good hills which is challenging for Floridians who mostly live and run within a few feet of sea level. |
 John at the waterfall with his grandchildren Patrick and Erin. |
 An unwelcome visitor to the cabin |
In April 2005 a mountain storm came through the area and took down a number of large trees one of which, unfortunately, struck the roof of the McBrearty's cabin. They were not there at the time so some helpful neighbors removed the tree and covered the damaged area with a tarp. Upon returning, John and Emylee repaired most of the roof themselves within the next two weeks. Then Johnny Thomason, whom John describes as "The Best Contractor Ever," rebuilt the end wall and adjacent roof sections and did all the interior repair work in about two months. As can be seen in the top photo, now there is no evidence that the tree ever struck the house. |
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After returning to the McBrearty's cabin we were treated to a sumptuous breakfast prepared by Emylee. Norm had lots of questions for John about how they found their property and built their cabin in such a secluded spot. He learned that John had built the cabin with the help of a co-worker from NASA and that the land was acquired from a neighbor in Cocoa where John was living at the time. Last year, Norm and Frieda had spent time looking for properties around the Boone area but had decided to continue the camping mode for summer travel, at least for 2007. (That plan was later changed by a fire in their camper in June of 2007.) Naturally, there was lots of discussion about running club affairs and John's retirement from the AIR presidency. We think it would be a wonderful thing if a group of AIR members could get together for a few days of running and socializing in the North Carolina mountains. We are looking for a volunteer to organize such and event :-) |
 Norm and Frieda congratulated each other on being able to share such memorable experiences. Flowers by Emylee. |