CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. — As communities across the world celebrate their own Easter traditions, a western North Carolina community continues to welcome the day with the sun. 

Spending Easter morning at Chimney Rock State Park begins with mountain lights and layers to stay warm. 

“For at least the last decade, the last seven or eight years, with my best friends here, we all join every year and get up and make the trek,” Pamela Paulus said.

This is a tradition Paulus looks forward to each year.

“My entire adult life I've taken my children from little itty bitty ones, wrapped up in blankets, to my best friends, for the last seven and eight years,” Paulus said. “I find it so wonderful to wake up and even say, ‘This morning the Lord's risen. What a joyful day! This is so awesome to get up in great weather and see the rising sun go up with it.”

Paulus’ group this Easter included a friend who traveled across the country to attend.

“Another friend comes from Alaska,” Paulus said. “We get up every year, even during the pandemic, and find a way to go and celebrate Easter morning together.”

Her best friend, Dari Tritt, also finds the experience inspiring, while taking in the nature of Chimney Rock. 

“I feel a real connection in that walk, that's what's most important to me,” Tritt said. “God, when I'm in nature, that's a connecting point with me; actually walking, physically walking, and nature rising as the sun and the rising of Jesus, the rising of our spirits.”

Chimney Rock has been hosting this renown non-denominational service for almost 70 years, which includes spiritual music, songs and scripture.

The tradition at Chimney Rock is followed by the opening of the trails at Chimney Rock State Park, where visitors can hike and explore after the service.