One day I took the road that leads to Carnes Creek Church, several miles out of town. At the church I turned off the highway and followed a shady, sandy country road. I went as the road went. There it stopped - and standing in the midst of great oak trees was a home.

I had gone to see people I expected to see feeble - but I was met by a man and woman - up in years, yes - but alert and active in mind and body - more so than many people younger than they. Dock L. Adams, who was the son of Rance Adams and Caroline Vaughn Adams, and Lillie Mae Holcomb, daughter of Eziekiel and Mary Addison Holcomb, both grew up around the Broad River settlements in nearby communities, in what was then Habersham County.

They fell in love, just as young folks do, and were married on Aug.14, 1898 - the 2nd Sunday in August - at the home of Clem Hosea; Mrs. Hosea was the sister of the groom. The Hoseas lived at the old William Busha homeplace. The officiating minister was preacher John Kytle, pastor of Carnes Creek Church. Standing with the bride and groom were Annie Holcomb, the bride's sister and a cousin of the groom, Will Adams. The Hoseas were entertaining the preacher that day for dinner, so he was ready and waiting for the young couple. For their honeymoon Dock and Lillie went to meeting that night at Carnes Creek Church, a habit they followed throughout their long life together.

Dock Adams soon went to work for the Sea Board Rail Road, and moved to Heardmont, Ga. Later he was made foreman of a section crew for the Southern. After several moves they moved to Toccoa in 1911. By this time they had started their family, becoming the parents of twelve children, including one set of twins, 10 of whom are living.

Their home where they live in quiet retirement is completely away from the noise - the bustle - the hurry - the confusion - of city or town life. It looks out over the valleys and mountains and rich bottom lands, resting as quietly as its owners. The house was built many years ago by the late John Carter, and there the Carter children lived until their father moved to Toccoa and became the village blacksmith.

Mrs. Adams says, as a girl she worked in the fields - and her grandmother, (by whom she was raised after her mother's death) would blow a horn when dinner was ready, but that Mrs. Carter would hang a red skirt on the very porch on which we sat, in plain view of the field workers. By this sign the Carter boys trooped hungrily to their big midday meal.

Peace, quiet and beauty reign over this home - down a shady sandy lane. Every day is a "get away from it all" day here, yet the house is as modern as tomorrow. It is equipped with electric lights, water pumped from a cold well to a gleaming sink in the kitchen, and a bathroom, electric refrigerator, electric washing machine, two radios and a television. Among the papers they read is The Toccoa Record. Friends have beat a path to their door - where they find a hearty welcome. The pantry is filled with homemade canned goods from garden and orchards. There is never a hot day or night there - neither is there rush; always time to do that which moves the heart - yet time never hangs heavy for they are a busy family.