Banning Mills

Banning Mills          By Sami Khalil

(From a ghost town to an adventure resort)

He felt caged, unable to escape the vagaries of life. A world without comparison was taking a toll on him. As the weather was unsettled, so was he. Being a lineman himself, he remembered in an eidetic manner the death of his father, who died abruptly from a lightening bolt during a bad storm, tending the power lines in Atlanta, Ga. He wasn’t being careless, but accidents happen. For when it is time for us to go, hold on tightly to the paddles. The boat has arrived.

Here he is alone, needing some comfort, beholden to those ornery memories of the past. His wife suggested a zip lining trip to Banning Mills, claiming that zip lines represent our journeys through life from point A to point Z. Being herself a purveyor of hope, with a twinkle of mirth, he agreed to go with her, hoping it will all take his mind off the concentric rings of depression. While the loss symptoms were on his face, nary a sedentary passenger of brokenness took seat.

They packed their bags, and on they headed for a weekend getaway to Banning Mills. They stayed in a lofty tree house, fully furnished, surrounded by lush foliage all around. Next morning, they paid the fees for zip lining, him wanting to go first before his wife. Harnessed up to the challenge, he hooked his courage up on steel cables and, down he went from the tree canopy, above the babbling Snake Creek gorge. Suspended in midair, high above those waters, he raced in an increased speed, seeing trees, clouds and even a large falcon flying along his side. His quivers of the heart echoed far and wide.

When the adventure ended, he told his wife what he saw. After pondering, she was joyed. Being a Native Indian herself, she shared with him that this Falcon was the spirit of his father. All his gloom was gone. Next, they went to visit the haunted old cotton mill, which supplied uniforms to the confederate soldiers when the town thrived and, before it was deserted long ago. It even had electricity to run its mills in 1887. Now, only shadowy figures abound, left to the not so faint of heart. 

 

 

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

The photos were wonderful and your words. Worthwhile and interesting Sami. Always a pleasure to read your words and thoughts my friend.
Coyote

[Sami Khalil]

I like to thank you with kindness and sincerity. You honor us in all aspects and by being on this site. Will visit you soon.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are very kind Sami and you are welcome.

[Sami Khalil]

:::::;:;;;)))))))))))))))

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Sami... lovely photos of nature's flight
surrounded by trees. I imagine my first chairlift ride
at Squaw Valley Ski Resort in Northern California in 1959.
It was almost like flying to jump off at the highest peak and
slowly ski down for hours. In reality I spent the entire day
taking a Ski lesson and practicing on the Bunny slope by holding
onto a mechanical rope to the top of the hill, where I braced
my legs with bent knees to reach the bottom without falling.
We all wish we could fly... and some do fly into the welcoming
arms of the divine. truly a poem of love and vulnerability. Pat

[Sami Khalil]

Wow. What a lovely story you shared that is relatable to this write. Thank you so much. I hope you can write it down as a small story.

[Alexandra G.]

Amazing work!!! You have an excitement to this story.. Nice indeed!

[Sami Khalil]

Gracie Millee Alexadra G. for this lovely review and gifted encouragement. All rich blessings.

[ms. barrie]

i personally find in some of the deepest layers weaved within this story, is somewhat similar to the wonderous excitement, yet biting isolation (tho not the impending inevitable doom he felt);
of the story of christopher mcandles in the last two years of his life. ~ either way, brilliantly written tale! :)

[Sami Khalil]

Wordless thank yous. God bless ya.

[ms. barrie]

always welcomed, G-d bless you and yours ☺︎✴︎

[Sami Khalil]

:::::::::)))))))))))

[ms. barrie]

what a riveting, inspiring tale...i enjoyed the subdued emotional sensitivity, and imagery.
vivid portrait your quill painted...
of peaceful symbolism the falcon brings, wrought in only so many words.

always a treat for the senses to indulge in your poetic artistry. i thank you, Dear Poet, for sharing ~ ✨

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! Let me thank you dearly for all you say and inspire. Your quill is precious and valuable too to your fans. Good to see you after an absence.

[ms. barrie]

you’re always welcomed, Sami, i thank you for your gracious sentiments...

as it’s great visiting your ink again, missed reading you & my favorite writers on here...
brightest blessings ✨

[Sami Khalil]

We all missed you too. Welcome back to the fold.

[ms. barrie]

mercí!! moving soon so, i’m semi back, for now...
the joys of moving lol

[Sami Khalil]

Lol.....................

[Robert Trakofler]

You sure put a lot into so few words on this one Sami! It grabbed and made me identify with him quick as a zip line he he I could use a zip line right about now:)

[Sami Khalil]

Hahaha. Thank you so much dear poet and friend. A trip to Banning Mills will entertain you and haunt you. Zippy do da...

[Alfred Kukitz]

Some flights last lifetimes where word and adventure mix with reality's fantasy!

regards,
al

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! So true and well summarized dear poet and friend. Your sharp intellect speaks volumes.

[Wesley Dingler]

Wow sam. This is amazing as always. It was indeed a short story but i felt it so much. The lineman and the proposition of his father.
I understand stuff like that [life like that] more than id care to admit. But you captured me here.


Thank you my friend.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! Thank you for sharing and visiting. Glad you enjoyed and related. See you soon.

[Wesley Dingler]

See you soon...

P.s.
Im still depressed that auburn beat the tar heels this year.
I know its my alma mater but im a tar heel through and through... basketball at least.
I really thought we had this in the bag...

[Sami Khalil]

One point. I do agree. Heard but did not see. Keep your hopes up.

[Wesley Dingler]

I will.
Just the fact that they ripped up the court together was a lot of fun.
It was worth the ten years i waited for it.

[Sami Khalil]

All true. Have a great one.

[Wesley Dingler]

Thank you...
Same to you...


P.s.


Roll tide.

[Sami Khalil]

Roll tide and war Eagle.

[Wesley Dingler]

Right?
Cause it doest matter. Were all tar heels at the end of the day...


read moreRight?
Cause it doest matter. Were all tar heels at the end of the day...


Be good my old friend...

[Sami Khalil]

::::::::::::))))))))

[Mrudula Rani]

A Wonderful sentimental account that steals hearts and minds of your readers Sami. The concept; that When the sorrow of losing some overwhelmes, it reaches the spirit of departed, and they find a way to comfort the sufferer is so soothing...the eternal bond that is strong and binds us all with nature is absolutely marvelous.

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! So true and well said. Thank you so much Mrudula Rani for the visit and wonderful sharing. All rich blessings.

[Mrudula Rani]

It's entirely my pleasure, dear friend.

[Sami Khalil]

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[barleygirl]

This story is truly a gift. It's the best one of yours I've read by far. I've been sketchy at the cafe due to a tough winter, & coming back I didn't see you in my newsfeed and I was inundated with other requests. So finally I connect with you for the first time in a couple months (my loss for sure). And here you are, writing like THIS! Did you takes some leaps & bounds while I was away? This is compelling, it's sensitive, it brings in my favorite symbology/spirituality from the Natives. This reads so smoothly, it's so integrated, you show a huge chunk of background, plus the present moment, all in such a short little ditty . . . I bet lots of writers do not recognize what goes into writing a short story this tight. I want to use those pictures of your quonset huts to write a story about when my mom was in the Phillipines -- looks alot like she described it to me. Thanks for this overall gift (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! You are a gift to us on this cafe. Your spirit of greatness permeates our souls. I was blown away by your review but humbled and encouraged to continue the journey. Million thanks and blessings. Glad you are back.

[Sami Khalil]

By all means, use any...