Linville Falls Foray with an Out-of-town Friend

It's too bad that you can't pick the type of weather you will have when you're on vacation. Sometimes, it's rainy and overcast, which can put a damper on what you originally wanted to do. Although I think that during those times when plans don't work out the way we envision that we make some pretty wonderful discoveries anyhow.

One of my very good friends from back home came for a visit this past week. It's been about 4 years, since she's come up here, so this trip was long overdue! Unfortunately, the mountains didn't welcome her with the most favorable conditions. It rained all day long prior to (as well as the day before) her arrival. I hoped that it wouldn't be like that the entire time she was here, thankfully, it stopped raining on the morning she was heading our way.

While it was still overcast and foggy, at least it wasn't pouring rain. Even though Boone's weather was being uncooperative there were fun things that I could do with my out-of-town friend who was anxious to see some sights. I thought that a waterfall hike was the perfect thing for us to do because of the heavy rains we had recently received. That was the easy part, though. The hard part was figuring out which one we'd visit!

One thing that is a must-do for any friends visiting from out-of-town is to take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, even if the visibility isn't the greatest. That helped me to narrow down which waterfall I would take her to. Linville Falls, which is just off the BRP, seemed to be the best option because it is a rather large waterfall that isn't too far of a drive from Boone. It is probably one of the most popular falls around this area because of how easily accessible it is.

There are many different vantage points from which you can view Linville Falls. They have a main trail that takes you to several overlooks, which are fairly easy to navigate. During this particular visit, though, I wanted us to have an up-close view of the falls. This meant that we had to take the more strenuous Plunge Basin hike. The hike itself was only .7 miles to reach the gorge, but it took some time getting down there with all the rocks and exposed roots littering the trail.

Once we reached the bottom, I expected the waterfall to come into view, but I forgot since my last visit that you can't see it from the end of the trail. In order to get an unobstructed view of the waterfall, you have to do some scrambling around the rocks. It was a little iffy at times, but we ended up making it to a good spot.

I knew that my friend would be in awe over this incredibly beautiful natural wonder, the water was rushing like mad! We attempted to soak it all in the best we could before hiking back out. I attempted to take pictures, but wasn't super successful in doing so, because I accidentally left my fresh batteries in my other bag. Doh! At least, I have something to show for it, even if it's not the best photo.

Good thing I had the Sony WX9 on me, too! I ended up using the point and shoot to take a short video that you asked to see on Facebook. Well, here it is. If you want to view it in HD, click on over to Vimeo.

The hike out wasn't bad at all.
It did require a bit of a climb to get back out of there,
but it was (and my friend agreed) a great hike that was well worth the effort to see such a lovely sight. 

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Gallivanting Around Green Knob | Blue Ridge Parkway | Boone, NC

With every passing week, I can feel that spring is getting closer. I suppose that making a point to go on a weekly hike is helping me to notice this a little sooner than I normally would. While I love winter and the snowy, cold weather that it brings, it can sometimes cause me to stay stuck in hibernation mode. Lately, though, I've been a whole lot more motivated to get outside and enjoy the warm weather we are awarded instead of being a hermit.

This week's hike was the Green Knob Loop Trail off the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 295.9) in Julian Memorial Price Park. I've always liked hiking this trail because it's only moderately strenuous, and because it offers a variety of habitats to experience in a short 2.1 mile round trip trek.

Starting at Sim's Pond, where you can oftentimes find anglers casting away, you'll pass the pond and travel through a rhododendron lined path that takes you into a forest of mixed hardwoods. As you find your way further into the woods, you'll come across some impressively large hemlocks towering over above head.

During this hike, there are a few creek crossing that require a little rock hopping, but nothing major to contend with. The first half is pretty mild, actually, and is a pleasant way to commune with nature since you can stroll at a snail's pace. For hikes that tend to be more strenuous, I find myself not wanting to stop and take pictures as much as I do when I'm hiking one that's easier. This way, I have more time to focus on the tiny details that can often be overlooked when all I care about is the next level surface to catch my breath.

Around the half-way point of the Green Knob Trail, the forest will recede and present an open pasture to meander. You'll pass through the fence stile to enter the meadow. This area is oftentimes littered with grazing cows. However, I imagine that it's probably too early in the year for that. As you ascend the gently rolling hills, follow the concrete trail markers to continue along the proper path. This would be a very nice spot to pop-a-squat if you felt like taking a break, though. There's also a bench beneath a tree if you don't want to spread out on the grass for fear of coming in contact with colossal cow patties.

As you leave the pastoral landscape you'll reenter the woods after a slightly steep ascent. This was the only part of the trail that got me huffing and puffing, although it still wasn't hard to reach the top. From there, it was all downhill. There's one point where you can see Grandfather Mountain & Price Lake, in the distance, as you're descending the trail. And the ridge line of Grandfather Mountain comes into an even better view once you're a little further along.

After leaving and reentering the forest through a couple more fence stiles—before you know it—you've reached the end! It spits you out on the other side of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is slightly disorienting. However, your car is just across the street. Compared to the Elk Knob hike I did the week before, the Green Knob trail was easy peasy. The elevation gain for this hike was only 460 feet while Elk Knob was approximately 1,000 feet, and it was only 1.3 miles long, whereas Green Knob was 2.1. Green Knob probably should have been my first hike of the season to break back into it instead of killing myself on Elk Knob!

There are many hiking trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway that are close to Boone. This is one that I hike a few times each year because of how varied (and moderate) it is. And it's even more beautiful during the Spring and Fall because of the pretty wildflowers that appear. According to the things I have read about Green Knob, it's best to hike in April or August during the peak bloom times. I know I'll be going back to see what shows up!

I highly recommend the Green Knob Loop hike for people of all ages and fitness levels. It would be a great family hike. While this particular Blue Ridge Parkway trail doesn't have the same long range views that many of the others have, it's still a really enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. I'm thinking that when I go back in the Spring we'll bring a picnic to snack on—that is, if the cows aren't around! 

Related Links:

•  If you missed last week's hike, click here: My Quest to Conquer Elk Knob

Fun Things to Do in Fall (Boone, NC & Western NC) - Part 2

 {National & State Parks}

6. Blue Ridge Parkway This 469 mile long scenic drive starts in Virginia, meanders through North Carolina and ends in Tennessee. It is an extremely popular destination among those who covet the myriad of colors our region is famous for producing. Seeing your favorite vistas and hikes cloaked in the most vibrant fall colors is an added bonus, however, the congestion the parkway experiences is almost enough to make you steer clear. The BRP is also celebrating their 75th anniversary this year and has events scheduled throughout the season for everyone to enjoy.

7. Linville Falls Located at milepost 316.5 this highlight is a stop off along the Blue Ridge Parkway that attracts a high volume of visitors during any season. The 90 foot powerful plunge can be seen from many different angles and can be reached through a variety of hikes that range from easy to difficult. It's one of my favorite waterfalls, especially in Fall.

8. Wiseman's View Just a short distance from Linville Falls this overlook offers an equally impressive display (sans waterfall) of the Linville Gorge. The trail to the rock outcropping requires nothing more than an easy stroll, and the concrete path makes it handicap accessible. This detour won't take much time, which makes it a great quickstop before or after seeing Linville Falls.

9. Grandfather Mountain At an elevation of 5,946 ft above sea level, the views from this biosphere are incredible, especially from the top where the Mile High Swinging Bridge resides. Wildlife habitats and hiking trails will also keep you busy during your visit to GM to get your monies worth. Not too long ago, the state of North Carolina purchased GM's backcountry for a state park; before this took place an overnight hiker had to purchase a permit to camp, however, now the permits are free.

10. Hiking @ Cone Manor From this central location off the Blue Ridge Parkway you can access an array of trails. Shuffle through "The Maze" down at Bass Lake or hustle your way up the Flat Top Trail to the firetower where your efforts are rewarded with spectacular 360 degree views. We start a lot of our hikes from this point because it's conveniently located near Boone and we have options to choose from depending on how hard we're willing to work.

11. Chimney Rock State Park in NC A perfect place to find fall and reconnect with nature is at Chimney Rock. With nature trails, a waterfall and fresh mountain air this place seriously can't be beat. It is definitely not a secret, so don't expect to have the place to yourself, though.

These posts are keeping me motivated about Fall, because right now it seems as though we skipped this season altogether and winter has begun to set in. Or at least it has for the past two days. We've already had our heater on and I've broken out the sweaters! I hope this cold snap subsides soon, because I really want to experience some FALL.

This is a continuation of a series about "Fun Things to do in Fall". In part 1 (link below), I shared a list of festivals and fairs happening across North Carolina, and even one in Georgia, while this portion of the list is focused more on state parks around Western North Carolina. With this list you will find links to archived posts or to other websites where you can gather more information.  

Related Links:

• PART 1 - Fun Things to do in FALL 
• Linn Cove Viaduct on the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Flat Top Carriage Trail to Firetower @ Cone Manor
• Chimney Rock State Park

Looking Glass Mélange

Our time was short, and the sightseeing was kept to a minimum, but there was still enough time to visit a few different landmarks while in Brevard, NC a few weekends ago. And, since we are only a hop, skip and jump away I figure that future explorations are definitely on the horizon.



The first stop on our short-tour started at Looking Glass Falls. Unlike the majority of waterfalls we have ventured to, this one didn't require a hike to get to it. It could even be seen from a viewing deck right off the main road that anyone could access. Several other platforms could also be accessed via stairs so we headed down to get a closer look. The main viewing area took you down to the base where a steady cloud of mist made it nearly impossible to take photos from. I had to find a different spot. It didn't take long for me to realize that the most ideal spot would have been smack dab in the middle of the stream, which would have be acceptable to do, but I was not prepared. Had I anticipated wading in the water I would have brought my wellies along! Next time. Instead, I hopped over the wall at the first landing and shot a few photos from a higher angle. The position of the sun made it difficult to get anything worthwhile, but who can really complain on such a gorgeous day?!



In an attempt to get home by early afternoon we cut the day short. However, there was still enough time for one last pit stop. An overlook right off the parkway opened up to a panoramic view of Looking Glass Rock. A massive blob of granite that juts out of the earth!

After a few more photos and one last goodbye we were on our way back home. No detours. The highway quickly brought our mini getaway to an end. I know that some might think a one night stay away from home might not be worth it, but I like to go whenever I can, and sometimes that means doing so in spurts. For me, a one night camping excursion always makes my weekend feel as though it was magically extended!

What do you say?
Will you only go somewhere when you have "enough" time to see everything?

Headed Down South via the Blue Ridge Parkway

After nearly an entire week of rain, we were rewarded with the most glorious weather. That is precisely why I wanted to make the most of our weekend. I didn't make a fuss about planning anything specifically, but I knew that I wanted to see a waterfall after such heavy rainfall. And even though I knew the beautiful bright blue skies wouldn't be the best for taking waterfall photos, I didn't care.

On a whim, we headed down south. Having no real destination in mind allowed us to take the long and sometimes painfully slow way. The pace barely matters since you get to witness the most breathtaking views while riding along The Blue Ridge Parkway. I felt like it had been too long since we white-knuckled our way down those winding roads.

Our drive ended at the peak of the Blue Ridge Parkway on top of Mount Pisgah. A perfect place to end up since you can find various free camping within the Pisgah National Forest boundaries. However, I didn't wish to forgo the luxury of a bathroom this time, so we set up shop in the national park service campground. It only set us back $16!

Spoiling ourselves even further, we made the tough choice of eating at the Pisgah Inn's restaurant. We almost chose not to have dinner there because of confusion with the menu prices. They only had their pricey specials posted on an LCD screen while the "real" menu was posted on a bulletin board 10 feet away near the bathroom!? We accidentally discovered it while lingering around the waiting area. I was trying to get Cody to talk me into justifying the expense. He's good at that when he wants something :) I was glad we got to eat there. The view was to die for and the food wasn't too bad either. Before making our way back to the campgrounds we took a short drive to find an ideal spot to catch the sunset. It was a splendid way to end the day.

Wanna see the landmarks we visited on Sunday?
If so, I invite you to come back this Friday for a field trip!

Weekend Glance

Linn Cove Viaduct

North Carolina
Linn Cove Viaduct
Blue Ridge Parkway

Milepost 304.6

View Large

Commonly referred to as the "missing link",
the Linn Cove Viaduct spans one of our world's oldest mountains.
The modern marvel was designed with the intention of preserving this precious land.

• It was completed in 1983 at a cost of almost $10 million dollars.
• The viaduct spans 1,243 feet and contains 153 segments weighing 50 tons each.

I have driven this section of road many times, but until a couple weekends ago,
I never took the time to stop and actually admire the structure.
This fall, I wanted to change that.

We decided to take the trail that starts at the end of the parking lot at the visitors center.
This trail gives you the amazing opportunity of walking beneath the behemoth.
As I stood beneath one of the sweeping "S" curves,
I began to realize all that this bridge represented.

Negotiating a compromise for the sake of our environment wasn't easy,
but there were people who were very passionate about its impact,
and they found a way to make it happen.
thank you.

I had this video that illustrated how busy the Blue Ridge Parkway was
when we ventured there a few weekends ago,
but way too much is involved for me to get it up so......
Anyway, it was crowded, jam packed with people crawling everywhere.
We were lucky to find parking spaces.
The above photo was taken between cars whizzing by.
Cody and I worked as a team, he was my lookout!
This is a very common shot taken of the viaduct.

Read more about the viaduct: HERE

Posted in Wordful Wednesday

"Land of Boardwalks"

North Carolina
Blue Ridge Parkway
Tanawha Trail - From Rough Ridge parking area to Wilson Creek Overlook
2.9 Miles Round-trip

View Large

In order to preserve the delicate environment yet allow access,
a 200-foot-long elevated boardwalk crosses the landscape.



The rest of the trail, however, takes you through narrow corridors over rocky paths.
Due to the recent rain, most of the trail was slick and required you to
pay close attention to footing in order to avoid slipping.



Once you reach the beginning of the boardwalk,
you gain spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains.



And along the way, you pass some very lofty rock
outcroppings as you make your way to the top.



I spotted some bright red-orange Mountain Ash.



As well as, an itty bitty ringneck snake.



Reaching the summit of Wilson Creek Overlook,
you can't help but become filled with an unequaled sense of space.

Which got a little smaller when I stumbled into a powwow of guys I donned the smoke squad.
It was quite unusual to find people smoking cigars after a heart-pumping hike.
But after talking with them for a few moments,
I decided they were a harmless bunch just out to enjoy a beautiful day.



The ropes you see in the above two photos are there to keep
people from trampling the plant-life and accelerating the speed of erosion.
When hiking trails it is always important to stay on the designated trails!



Just another way they work to preserve the natural history of the Appalachian mountains.

If you have yet to do so, please take part in helping to preserve
our land's natural history, by taking a pledge.
Taking a pledge doesn't require much from you.
The widget on the right is where you can join me in the fight to end mountain top removal.

REMEMBER

• I am willing to donate one dollar on your behalf to the cause mentioned in the "I Heart Mountains" post once you have pledged.
  
• At the end of this week, I plan to match the pledges.
• And so I know who joined in, please leave a comment stating, I LOVE MOUNTAINS!

Great way to end the day........

North Carolina
Blue Ridge Parkway
Flat Top Mountain Carriage Trail

On this particular day, I was ever so eager to get outside and bask in the gorgeous weather.
On days like this, I like to hop on over to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
We live less than an hour away from some of the most magnificent hikes you'll ever see.

I realized the other day that, I haven't shared a whole lot of them with you.
Know this, I plan to change all that!



This hikes ascends from the Moses H. Cone Manor House to the summit of Flat Top Mountain.
The trail is 2.8 miles one way, but offers one of the most gradual grades.
You make your way to the top using switchbacks which makes it a rather pleasant jaunt.

The beginning of the trail takes you through pastures, and open fields,
you even stop over at Mr. and Mrs. Cones' final resting place.

As I turned the corner, I spotted the 'kite' you see above.
It wasn't the size of a normal kite, so I'm sure there's another name for it.
It did, however, look like a lot of fun.......
The person operating the 'kite' was wearing a harness, I mean, he was fully strapped in.
At one point, I saw his feet lift off the ground.....I thought to myself,
"If I try that, I'm likely to get swept AWAY!"

Continuing through the pastures.....



I followed this trail into the shade of the maple trees,
where wildflowers lined most of the path.

The butterflies were extra flirty with me.
As a result, I was finally able to get my summertime butterfly bokeh flower shot!
They cooperated beautifully......



After spending waaaaaaay too much time with the
butterfly beauties, I kept chugging along.
There wasn't any point of the hike were I was exerting myself, it was a very leisurely walk.

The very end of the trail - which is by far, the coolest part -
brings you to a fire tower that Moses Cone built upon the summit of Flat Top Mountain.



From the top, you are rewarded with expansive
vistas of the surrounding mountain range.
These grandstand views are truly magnificent, honestly,
it brought a tear to my eye I was so captivated.
I really love when that happens, as it reminds me that,
I am exactly where I want to be......



Now, I'm no videographer, but I wanted you to see the 360 degree view live.
To my defense, it was hard enough walking around the
stairwell while looking through the viewfinder,
and the tinge of vertigo didn't really help matters.
But there you have it.....



See that road.....I was all the way down there!
Isn't that a lovely scene.....

I didn't want to leave, but was forced to sit aside while a pack of cross-country training
teenagers commandeered the tower.
Scraping their names in the paint while swearing to let me know that they were cool - it wasn't.
I waited patiently for my turn to go back up.....
I wasn't ready to say goodbye, yet.




I was glad I went back up.....

I took my time making my way back down the mountain,
although my knee was acting up again?!
I think that I may need a brace for those downhills?

The easy 5.6 mile hike took me over 4 hours to do.
Thankfully, Cody wasn't with me or else he would have been doing
a lot of waiting around while I took photos!
It was nice to go as slow as I wanted to......

I even stopped and had a long chat with the fella who keeps the fields perfectly manicured.
He was an interesting guy who had the quirkiest sayings.
I tried to make mental notes, but we talked for so long......
One I remember him saying was,
"I've fallen off a truck before, but it wasn't yesterday!"

Meet Freddy:


His hat says Git -R- Done!
I asked if I could take his photo, and he obliged,
but every time I pointed the lens his way, he froze.....it was funny.
When I turned the camera to take a vertical portrait,
he wanted to know why I was flippin' him upside down?! haha



Going back the way I came, I made it back to my car.
I was so happy that I had just ended my day in such a way.
I was fully decompressed after a rough week........
Nature + Photos, does it to me every time!


How are you decompressing these days?

Let's go for a Walk.......

I went for a walk on Saturday afternoon while Cody was at work.
I picked a hike that I've done a few times, and wasn't too far from the house.
By the time you reach this fence, you've gone about half way on the two mile hike.
By the time I reached the fence I was huffing and puffing!



When I picked the hike it was based on my thoughts of doing something low impact.
Especially since I've been having trouble with my left heel.
Apparently, I failed to remember any characteristics regarding the trail.
That so called easy hike really gave me a run for my money!
I'm pretty spoiled when hiking with Cody since he carries all my camera gear.
The extra load was wearing on me by the time I reached the gate.
I took the opportunity to rest.



As you can see the path before me opens up to a fairly large field.
Normally, I would take a little break and sit for a moment on the bench beneath those trees you see in the distance.
I had to talk myself into going further because I was surprised to find that I had company.
And I'm not talking other hikers either..........



"COWS!"

I know that they are harmless, but that doesn't mean I don't acknowledge how much bigger they are.
Thankfully I only came across like 15 of them.
I took some time to grab a couple of photos, occasionally I turned my camera to the opposite side of the field.
As I attempted to get some landscape shots I could hear some shuffling behind me.......
I quickly - and in a paranoid fashion - would turn around to find the herd a foot closer!
They were messin' with me.......lemme ask you a question......
Have you ever played "Red light, Green light" with cows before?!
I did, and it was weirding me out!!



Especially "Beastie" here......
The black cows were a lot scarier than the brown ones.



"Bessie" was a lot more approachable.
I wasn't petting them or anything, but I was close enough.....
She let me take a few photos, although you can't really say she was cooperating.
I only got two shots of her face, the other time she was stuffing it with grass.



She had enough fame for one day,
and that's when she started shooing me away!
"Get on outta here!", she mooed.
I listened and kindly continued my hike.......



A part that I forgot about in particular was the uphill climb from the field to the mountain view shown above.
It wasn't too horrible, I made it through.
I had a very fun and sweaty time on my solo hike.
It was nice to get outside.

Once I got to the car, Cody called and we decided to go eat some BBQ because I had a hankerin'!




**Contest Update**
We are currently waiting for two more people to select their magnets.
It's been very interesting so far. I think it's fun!
I'm sorry about the confusion; those rules are somewhat hard to translate.
Once we are done picking magnets a new giveaway will start, and that one will be for even better prizes! Stay tuned :o)

Saturday Hike

This past Saturday, we went for a nearly 5 mile hike on 'Boone Fork Trail'. The weather wasn't the most motivating, as it was overcast the entire time. We decided to take the trail backwards, unlike the way that most folks go, we headed straight instead of taking the immediate right at the trailhead. My reasoning for this being, I wanted the first thing we went through to be the part which is closest to the road, and the part that went through the campground first, instead of at the end. By that point my connection with nature is severed, by taking it backwards, I can get that business done with in the beginning. And use that time to get into the hike, and get a good pace going all at the same time.

I liked it better the backwards way. After a mile or so you come to open pastures, which on a clear day gives you a great view of the backside of Grandfather Mountain. But like I mentioned earlier, we weren't so lucky weather wise. Once you travel through the pasture, you come to the peak before you dip back into the forest. The descent is far easier than the ascent would have been, if we went the 'right' way. Now that I mention it, the 5 mile loop wasn't strenuous at all, I don't even think I broke a sweat! Had we went the 'right' way though, I assure you that I would have been huffing and puffing.

After the descent is where the trail starts to get really interesting. Throughout the hike you cross sections of the Bee Tree and Boone Fork Creek in excess of 2o times. I made the mistake of not bringing the attachment to put my camera on the tripod, which made it hard to capture shots of the mini-waterfalls, or ones that I was happy with. It's really important to have a tripod when shooting those type of fast-motion water scenes. Learning the hard way before didn't really help me remember to bring the dang attachment.....but that's another lesson eh?!

The most substantial waterfall was "Boone Fork Falls", and at a mere 25 feet, wasn't really all that substantial. Hiking trails that are next to a body of water are my most favorite, the sound of rushing water is so calming for me. The hike felt really good for my body, and I needed to get out and get moving. My spirit suffers severely when I don't get outdoors. Nature is so motivating for me. Does it do the same for you? If you don't hike trails, what do you like to do that helps restore yourself after a rough day, or week?

Tunnel Bridge

There aren't enough days in the weekend.
~Rod Schmidt


Saturday I went for a hike while Cody was at work. It reminded me of "old times" hiking along the trail alone. When I first moved up here it was extremely hard to find another person who shared in my enthusiasm to go hiking, so normally I went alone. I don't necessarily miss those days, having a partner is so much more fun. I can however do it when necessary. I hiked down to Trout Lake which was frozen over. The confused ducks were hanging out near the middle standing on one leg while quacking uncontrollably. A group of people had their 'herd' of dogs out there (without leashes) who were terrorizing the poor little ducks.
Thankfully there were no fatalities.............

Bittersweet Placidity

This is another photo I took this past weekend on Sunday while we walked around Bass Lake. I just can't wait for this weekend to finally be here, one more day. Tomorrow afternoon I have my very first visit for Acupuncture; the appointment wasn't supposed to be until next Friday but I asked to be on a waiting list just in case of a cancellation and luckily I was first in line. I'm sort of nervous; I tend to get upset when I start talking to someone new about my current condition but I'm sure that I will be fine. The picture below is one I took of the house the Saturday morning on our way to Bays Mountain Park. The house looked so great with the tree complimenting it with that bright yellow frame. That was the morning after our five days of non-stop rain, it was a beautiful day!

Splendor of the Sun...............

As I came across this photo during my initial sort I passed by it briefly but then felt like I should go back and take another look. Upon second glance as I stared at this picture I suddenly got this nagging feeling, I like it, but I don't like it. There are so many beautiful things I see about this picture but then there are problems with it that I don't like just the same. I like how if it weren't for the blue sky it would almost look as though it could have been taken at night, although it's the sun that twinkles through the trees, and just so happens to back-light the brilliant orange leaves all at once. I also like the path of sunlight dancing on the top of the water; had I exposed the photo trying to light up the tree trunk, the effect would have been completely different. I don't normally think about these things a whole lot but I've been reading this new book called "Understanding Exposure" and despite the fact that I've only read 1 chapter it has totally opened my eyes to this whole new world. I confess, I know very little about what I love when you consider the technical aspect of photography. The glue that holds it all together would be that I carry an intense passion to share and document this momentous time in my life. I do think that I can be a better photographer but only if I spent more time on those creative choices waiting to be discovered with every single shot.
I'm looking forward to my next chapter!

The Prodigal SUN Returns..............

This weekend proved to me once again why I am so very thankful when the sun shines. The weather of last week can get you down right depressed when the deficiency of the sun lasts that many days in a row. By Saturday morning I felt normal again, and was ready to get outside and enjoy the day. I couldn't stop smiling because I was so happy that the sun had returned. These pictures were actually taken yesterday when Cody and I took a walk around Bass Lake. I've had this idea of taking the throwing leaves pictures for a few weeks now but until yesterday we weren't able to do them. Although Cody was the one behind the camera I merely had the idea, set up the shot, and supplied the enthusiasm - not that Cody wasn't a willing subject or anything, he just didn't get into it at ALL. I fulfilled my picture taking goal this weekend and throughout the week I will be sharing some of those favorites with you, as usual.

Cerulean Dream

This picture bellows that which is almost ineffable to me;
the sky, silhouettes, and gently rippling waters are all so calming.
This week my personal goal is to get photos everyday of the brilliant fall colors, although today I fell short. It's been rainy all day today, thankfully because we needed it desperately. I knew I would have some sort of excuse not to fulfill my end of the bargain - even with Cody being a great motivator.
After a long weekend I think I can justify enjoying a nice relaxing evening with little to no excitement or obligation. If you didn't know already I was in Atlanta to attend a wedding that Cody was a participant in this past weekend. I have a few pictures I'll be posting which will give more detail at that time.
Just right around the corner is Thanksgiving. My plan this year is to spend Thanksgiving in Jacksonville since it's been since LAST Thanksgiving that I was there. I suppose that it would only be fair, huh?! Now that drive will add a few more hours than it took for us to get to and from Atlanta; meaning a little more strain on my delicate neck and shoulders. But I hope to begin Acupuncture sometime soon and I pray that it will offer some much needed relief.

Whisperings of a Sunset...............

My Happy Birthday message from Tawny:

May you always find beauty in all that you are
May the wind always follow you
May the fire within always burn
May your heart always be pure
May you always grow
May you always seek the balance
and, may you always "Walk in Beauty"




*Now tell me how wonderful is that.

Crabtree Falls

Yesterday my birthday request was to do and see something that I haven't seen before and the first place I could think of was Crabtree Falls. I have wanted to take this hike for sometime now and was very happy that we chose yesterday to finally go. It is getting colder now so it was a bit chilly at the bottom of the falls but the hike out got our heart racing. Total it ended up being a moderately strenuous 2.5 mile loop. There was also camping at Crabtree Meadows with tent sites & hook-ups; I was jealous of the folks gathered round the fires and I so wished that we were able to camp but we didn't. There will be some time for that when we get back from Vegas, soon enough. I am so very excited about Fall and the magnificent colors it brings - it's an absolutely beautiful time of the year. Living in Boone you are exposed to actual seasons that change unlike Florida. Winter is a trying time but you get used to it after a while, last year it only snowed like 5-6 times it seems. I enjoy the snow, it makes me feel like a kid again. Snowball fights are pretty darned fun too. Listen to me; it's only getting down to about 54 right now which isn't too too cold but the house is poorly insulated and it feels a lot colder inside the house than it really is outside! We'll worry about those sorts of things when we get back from our trip though - window covering, heater, wood............. On top of that our water heater is acting up right now. The water doesn't get very cold which is no good because it makes me so tense to try and shower under that cold water I just can't take it. Maybe I'll try not to bathe until Vegas! ewe gross........whatever cause I do that all the time, hahaha. Well, on that note I'm going to take my dirty behind to the kitchen and clean up.

True Blue

Come to me in my dreams, and then
By day I shall be well again!
For so the night will more than pay
The hopeless longing of the day.

Come, as thou cam'st a thousand times,
A messenger from radiant climes,
And smile on thy new world, and be
As kind to others as to me!

Or, as thou never cam'st in sooth,
Come now, and let me dream it truth,
And part my hair, and kiss my brow,
And say, My love why sufferest thou?

Come to me in my dreams, and then
By day I shall be well again!
For so the night will more than pay
The hopeless longing of the day.

~ "Longing" by Matthew Arnold

*It seems like it's been days since I've laughed, I miss your face and the way you can usually conjure a smile on mine. The week has felt like nothing short of an eternity while waiting for you to return home. I'm such a sap now, sheez. But without my partner in crime things just aren't the same. I'm just as shocked at how I've been handling this as much as the next person.....or anyone who actually knows me. It just goes to show you how much I've changed. In such a short amount of time my life has taken turns that I would have never conceived but I suppose that's the way it goes. It wouldn't be such a ride if we knew what was in store. And as I am a glutton for punishment I wouldn't have it any other way.

Soon Enough

For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin--real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.

~Alfred D. Souza



I have ached to be on the open road since my first taste of freedom. For a long time I have merely thought about the places I've wanted to go instead of just facing my fears and getting on with it. It kills me to think of the time I've lost in between realizations although not being the same person then that I am now by the laws of the universe wouldn't have allowed that to happen any sooner than it did. Life is full of so many ups and downs and I can't keep up with whether I'm coming or going sometimes. Last week wasn't what I could classify as anything I care to relive. I'm happy that it's now behind me and I can move on. I've got some plans to make and some things to look forward to and by Friday everything will be back to normal. Thursday is when Cody will be back from his beach vacation with his co-workers. I miss him A LOT! The entire time that we've been together you have rarely found us apart, it's good for us. Makes me appreciate him that much more................I am thankful, indeed.