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!

Ravishing Rhodos and Blithe Bumblebees

OK.  A little too much alliteration in the title, but when you see the pictures you will GET IT. Rhododendrons are one of my favorite things in the yard because they remind me of The Great Smoky Mountains . They only bloom in the spring but
 OH, WHAT A SHOW! 

The bees LOVE THEM!!  When I think of "drowsy" bees I think of BUMBLEBEES.
 BUZZ, BUZZ, BUZZ... slow and steady wins the race (or in this case, pollinates the flowers). They seem so... lazy? yet they are on a life or death mission that is planted deep in their soul. Gather up all the SWEET STUFF they can before the sun goes down. Sounds good? Yep.

 I am also showing  a teensy weensy peek at my back porch, but right now it is COVERED in bird seed, pollen and Tulip Poplar blooms. After they quit falling I have to pressure wash it all and switch from regular bird feeders to the hummingbird feeder.  I haven't seen any yet, but they have been looking for their SWEET STUFF as early as March in the past. I'll be watching for them!

I think as a Christian I am called to more than JUST this (more on that in another post), but I think the Lord gave us all the beauty in this world to ENJOY. His glory is everywhere and sometimes I feel like a bumblebee trying to gather all the SWEET STUFF I can before my sun goes down.  With the creation story in Genesis 1, the adornment of the Tabernacle by Moses in Exodus 25-30, the building of Solomon's Temple for the Lord in 1st Kings 6 it is clear that God loves beauty. Gather some SWEET STUFF of God EVERYDAY!