Eagle Falls

Eagle Falls

Cumberland Falls State Park

I know I've quoted this little "song" before, but I always think of it when I post a picture of a waterfall. Since reading that book, waterfalls always "sing" this song to me, when I sit near them.

"From the heights we leap and flow

To the valleys down below,

Sweetest urge and sweetest will,

To go lower, lower still."

—the water's song

from Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard

Cumberland Falls

I finally made it to the woods! This summer has been so hot and buggy, that it's made it nearly impossible to want to be outside. So, I haven't wanted to venture out on the trail, even though I've desperately wanted to!

Well, a couple of weekends ago, I got my chance. The weather was perfect—highs in the mid-70's, 0% humidity, and breezy. Now, that's my kind of weather! So, we made it a goal to get out in the woods, and traveled about an hour and a half to Cumberland Falls State Park. We packed our lunches in the daypack, grabbed our trekking poles, and hit the Eagle Falls Trail. Since we had our daughter with us (21-months, today), we didn't want to take on more than we could handle, so we thought the 1.5 mile trail would be perfect. It would give us the chance to see both Cumberland and Eagle Falls, and allow us to be in the woods.

The trail was gorgeous, mostly shaded, and all-around wonderful! But, don't let that meager 1.5 miles fool you. This isn't just a piece-of-cake hike. Parts of this trail are described as "very rugged." But, it's so worth it! It offers an up-close look at Eagle Falls, and some of the best views of Cumberland Falls (see above). It's truly a beautiful trail. And, it satisfied my craving to be "in the woods." We were exhausted by the time we were done, but so happy, too. Now, I'm just hankering for the next trip . . .

Oak Leaves

Oh the humidity around here is making me cranky!! Summer is nice and all, but I REALLY enjoy Fall. Maybe I'll be able to be outside again in October. :o)

Tree at Buckley

On a recent hike through the Kentucky woods, I stumbled across this very interesting tree. What made it interesting was the bark. It had all these really deep grooves in it, all the way up the trunk. The detail was truly incredible. No two parts were alike. I could have looked at it for hours and not seen the same pattern or shape. This view is looking straight down the trunk to the lichen around the bottom of the trunk. I have another picture that I'll post another time that shows the detail even better. This reminds me of the limitless details of our Creator.

Roupes Creek

Roupes Creek

Tannehill State Park

McCalla, AL

Trailside at Buckley

These plants lined the trail we hiked recently at Clyde E. Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary-Trust and Audubon Center in Frankfort, KY. There wasn't anything particularly breathtaking about the scenery along our path. But, there were many, many little pieces of breathtaking scenery that you would only notice if you stopped and looked closely at the minute details surrounding you.

Giant Northern White Cedar

This is (I believe) a Giant Northern White Cedar, near the Grand Traverse Lighthouse in Northern Michigan. It's massive! I can't find any information on this particular tree, even though there's a big sign in front of it that talks about it. Maybe I should have taken a picture of the sign, too? Regardless, this was a grand tree! The swoops of it's large branches remind me of an elephant trunk.

There is a stand of these giants on South Manitou Island, and it is said that these cedars are twice as big as your average White Cedar. During this vacation (when this picture was taken), we tried to take the boat out to South Manitou so we could hike around the island and hopefully see this beautiful stand of old trees, but the weather made the lake really choppy and they canceled all day-trips. Boo! One day, I can't wait to get out there and do some good exploring.

P.S.—[2/12/10] I just had a family member send me a picture of the sign that's in front of this tree. Thanks, Mary Lou! Here's her picture of the sign, complete with all the fun facts about this tree.

The Red Trail

We hiked somewhere new this past weekend. After my daughter's morning nap, we loaded our little family up and headed out to Clyde E. Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary-Trust and Audubon Center in Frankfort, KY. We've been wanting to visit this natural area, so we were excited to get out there—especially since it was 56 degrees in the middle of winter! As you can see from the photo above, we took the red trail. :o)

The Brink

"From the heights we leap and flow

To the valleys down below,

Sweetest urge and sweetest will,

To go lower, lower still."

—the water's song
from Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard

Bridge over Roupes Creek

Bridge over Roupes Creek
Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park
McCalla, AL

Happy 2010! I think it's appropriate to post a picture of a bridge as we cross the bridge into a new year. I hope you find true Peace and Joy this year. May you experience abundant Grace throughout 2010.

I spent most of by growing-up years in Alabama. My family moved from Illinois to Alabama when I was six, and I lived there until I got married. There were many times (throughout those years) that I visited Tannehill State Park. When I recently visited my family for Thanksgiving, we went out to Tannehill for their Tannehill Crafters’ Open House, and it was the first time I had been there in several years. I remembered certain parts of it, but I had not remembered this bridge. I liked it instantly. Like I've said before, I have a thing for bridges.

Happy 1st Birthday!

It's my daughter's first birthday, today! She's been out of my belly for a whole year, and I just can't believe it. She has brought such joy to our lives. So, happy birthday to my sweet little girl!

Mystery plant

I have no idea what this plant is, but I like the picture. If you know what kind of plant this is, please let me know. I took this picture on a nature trail near where we use to live in West Michigan. I do remember that it was a beautiful Fall day. The leaves were almost finished dropping, so the forest floor was carpeted with crunchy leaves. The sun was streaming through the bare branches, and the air was crisp. Ahhh, how I love fall in Michigan. I'm sad to miss most of it this year, but I'm looking forward to enjoying fall colors and traditions in Kentucky.

Smokies

"How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains! "

—John Muir

This picture was actually taken at sunset, not sunrise. But, I love the way this stream is in the shadow of the Smokies, and you can see the sun on another mountain in the background. These woods and mountains are so diverse, they fascinate me. What a wonderful piece of Creation! The Smokies always remind me a bit of Hinds' Feet on High Places, and the journey of "Much Afraid." I can't help thinking about that story whenever I'm there.

"From the heights we leap and go

To the valleys down below,

Always answering to the call,

To the lowest place of all."

Northern White Cedar

White cedar

(Thuja occidentalis)

"To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment."

—Jane Austen

I remember taking this picture on a trail in Northern Michigan, in Benzie County. I can't remember what trail, but there was a wetland along the way. I don't live in Michigan anymore (at least for now), but I miss the woods of Northern Michigan. Cedars are a fascinating tree, and they abound in this particular area. The needles are flat. Gwen Frostic's shop wraps your purchases in her specialty paper and they garnish the packages with a Cedar sprig. I think the needles are really . . . I don't know . . . fresh, clean, woodsy, soft, and pure.

White Trillium

Trillium grandiflorum

"I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers."

—Claude Monet