A Walk in the Woods

One of my favorite blogs to read is Alisa Burke. She has a regular posting called "Exploring We Will Go".  They live in the Pacific Northwest and have some AMAZING places to visit with visually stunning scenery. We may not have the ocean but we are blessed to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Come exploring with me and see if you don't agree.


Good Friday

T and I went on a hike in my Smoky Mountains. It was freezing cold with a little snow left on the ground from last week. The air was crisp and damp with heavy clouds above. We decided to walk as far as we wanted and then eat lunch... and pray for no rain. Off we went.

 There were a few others willing to brave the cold for such a dreamy walk. Here are a few photos along the way. This is known as the waterfall hike and you will see why.

Right past the parking lot is this stunning cascade

Rhododendron

First, and largest waterfall

My hubby and Me, wearing one of my cuddly cowls from the last post.

Naturally formed heart in a fallen tree

Moss grows on fallen trees.

SNOW

From the other side of the trail water cascades from the mountain

Sculptural bark

Moss on the mountainside

Rock overhangs

The first wildflower of the spring. I think it's called Bloodroot.

YEAH!!! We walked for 2 hours, ate our lunch, and it didn't rain until the minute we got back to the car.
This is the first time either one of us had been on this particular hike but it won't be our last. It is literally 10 minutes from our cabin in Townsend and I think this is the most AMAZING place. It is a gradual slope and follows the Middle Prong of the Little River so it will be very pleasant any time of year.

I hope you've had a wonderful Easter Break wherever you are and were able to ponder the meaning of the season.

He is Risen!   He is Risen Indeed!

Happy Easter!

Hey Y'all. It's Fall!

Hey everyone!
Well, it has been a long time since my last post and, even though it's FALL, I can give an update on the GREAT SUMMER PROJECT! The screened porch! We have already had many enjoyable hours out there and I cannot believe we didn't do this sooner. It is my backyard paradise!

TV is in the cabinet.

Finished cushions that I made from this material.

Fireplace to cozy up to on those cool days.

Sand dollars from my summer vacation at Kiawah Island, South Carolina

As I was taking these pictures I was shivering, since the temperature was in the low 40's and falling... Hurricane Sandy has hit the East Coast and we are feeling it's affects here, a little over 700 miles away. We are about 1 hour away from Mount LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains which has had more than 3 FEET of snow and it's still coming down! They have 15 guests who are stranded up there at the Lodge, but thankfully they are being well taken care of with cozy cabins and GREAT food. The link is to the caretakers' blog and has some AMAZING photographs of this winter wonderland.

I have had Fox News on all day watching the photographs and stories of the flooding, fires, and blizzard that Sandy has brought to the entire eastern part of the US. I, along with many others, am sending up prayers for all of the people who have been in the path of this historic storm. 

Here are some words from His Word for strength and inspiration during these difficult times.xxxx

"No power in the sky above or in the earth below- indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:39.

A Little piece of Heaven on Earth

 When I go to my "Happy Place" I am always at the Little River in Townsend, Tennessee, "The Peaceful Side Of the Smokies", as their welcome sign reads. I have visited this river every summer since I was born and it makes me... whole, calm, peaceful, closer to God, HAPPY! The cabin we are staying in belonged to my Great Aunt Maurine and her presence is felt everywhere here. Especially in the garden. Today I have been raking leaves and trying to find some of the wildflowers that she transplanted to this hillside. It bears noting that she didn't move here until her late 70's so you when you see the pictures you will be impressed with her physical abilities.

This is the street side and is nice and flat.The back of the house has a large screened in porch that overlooks the river.

THE backporch

Plenty of rocking chairs for rockin' the day away.

This shows how steep the backyard gets.

The far end of the porch has a swing and a daybed.

The view from the swing.

The beach area for swimming and sunning.

The beach in relation to the cabin.

Some Maidenhair ferns that Aunt Maurine planted.

 Where is your "Happy Place"?  It is my prayer that everyone has somewhere they can go to get away from it all. We all need a little piece of heaven here on earth! Thanks for visiting today!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo