365:263:72
Oh I wish I would have grew up here. I would have never watched tv or stayed inside, ever! I see these kids fishing and playing in the water and I want to so bad, when it gets warmer, I will have my suit on and jump in. (Age)(fear)(the water is cold, I put my feet in).
All the years my parents came to visit the mountains, I never knew how spectacular they mountains really were. The trails, the waterfalls, the smells of the flowers in spring bloom. Nothing in the world compares to these hills of Chattanooga. This is the true beauty, the walking, the discovering, taking photo after photo, finding beauty in this creation that sparks us to create our own beauty. This is the day the Lord has made. I may never go inside again.
The trails, even in other places have always pushed my limits. Physically and emotionally. I remember my dad being so afraid that someone was going to knock me in the head on a trail or something bad would happen. I was always like, dad, these things could happen anywhere, on a crowded street, on the trails, we just have to be careful, no mater where we are. Today, my best friend was equally concerned and I love him for it and when you read this know I’m never alone. I’ve got a big God. I know being in nature and listening to the wind blow through the trees, the water trickling down a stream, it’s all Him, surrounding us with big arms of safety. These trees, these mountains are so big, it keeps us in check of how little we actually are and how big He really is and will always be.
There has always been this explorer inside of me, even as a child my imagination would grow with each step of new territory. Playing a story along with the scenery. When I started riding the trails in Memphis, those stories continued and it was great. I find more inspiration out in nature than anywhere else. Unfortunately, it never comes out on paper but ideas, brainstorming, future projects. Today, I did stop and I recorded some of my journey in pictures, which I am working on and even stopped to write a bit but nothing beautiful just feelings of gratitude and love for nature. I suppose that is beautiful in itself.
To me, it takes a bit of courage to go into a place one has never been and explore especially alone. The unknown area, the secret spots of the earth that have been traveled by others but there is a huge amount of alone that happens in the forest. When I see another human, sometimes it is a relief that there is someone else here, witnessing this beauty that I see and they are friendly and we have to express the glory of the moment. Then others that have been dragged out there by their loved ones and they would rather be anywhere else. The young adults playing in the water, their dad watching them for safety and still trying to look cool. The girls that have found a huge rock and are just lounging talking about everything, oh the secrets they share in this place. Today, I believe I made it to rainbow lake. I know I made it to the middle river but unsure if that was really “the” lake. It was a small pond rather, what I saw.
When I was leaving, there was a lady trimming the trails entrance. A beautiful older lady, maybe in her seventies. I have seen her before out in one of the yards working, she has the loveliest hello voice. It’s almost like she’s the keeper of all things beautiful, all things sacred. I hope I get to see her again.
Picture can be found here
Much Love 💜 Much Life
