Splotches of Color

 

Some years they all turn together and some years they barely turn at all, but most years they turn in small clusters that turn into large clusters and then there is an avalanche of color that saturates the countryside. We are in the small cluster stage now with the usual exceptions where an entire tree burst forth with color from every leaf.

We are impatient and want to see it all- now! That's not the way it happens; temperature, rain, drought, wind  and storms all affect the annual event. In the words of the Kong Fu master, "Patience grasshopper, all things happen when they are supposed to"

Isn't that a lot like us, as we drift through this life. Always wanting to see the end before we get there, growing impatient because we have to wait to see our lives in full vibrant color. Well, life is somewhat like trees, we slowly turn from a splotchy patch of promise to become, a fully vibrant person, full of life and beautiful to look at. Like trees, the depth of hue is fashioned by the events of our lives. And sadly, sometimes we are struck down by a storm of life. But oh, how grand to view a life that has weathered the elements and stands proudly for all to enjoy the vibrancy of their reflection.

The Man in the Moon

 

I remember as a lad that my dad would lift me up and point to a full moon in those clear west Texas skies as he said, "Can you see the man in the moon?" I would nod my head and imagine that I was looking at a man smiling back at me from the heavens above. A little boy's imaginations are sometimes revived and certainly his thoughts of a loving Dad, who stirred those memories, are brought back in times like these. There is still no man in the moon but there is a wonderful memory of a special man who taught me so much. I know you are a lot closer than I am Dad, but here are some captures I took of the Fall Hunters Moon here in North Carolina. Unlike Sweetwater, Texas there are many trees to block your view.

My sweet daughter Mendy was with me when I took these here in my backyard. I've added a few famous quotes to a few, and even a Psalm which I know you will like. Love you Dad

Old Dan River

 

It was another beautiful Fall day and my journey took me to Madison near the Dan River. After finishing my photos of a new construction, I asked my buddy Dakota if he would like to venture down to the river and he agreed. I had seen a sign somewhere on previous missions that said, " Dan River Access" so we setout in search of the sign. I didn't realize that you could only see it from the opposite direction that we were going. Ten miles past the turnoff when we entered the neighboring county. I turned around and retraced my path until we saw the turnoff sign to the river.

Unfortunately, the autumn leaves are about a week to ten days away from peak, but the wildflowers were still in bloom and the river was lazily flowing around a bend and rippling over some rock shelves to create a pleasant and relaxing October afternoon. We crawled over some rocks at the waters edge and enjoyed the afternoon. A coal train rumbled down the opposite bank  and provided a nice backdrop for a couple of minutes.

As always, the beautiful nature you see in the piedmont of North Carolina touches my soul and reminds me that life can be enhanced and enjoyed by simply following the right signs and taking out a few minutes of your time.

Falls Creek Waterfall

I've lived here over 30 years and I just discovered this little waterfall up in Rockingham County, about 20 feet from the Virginia border. My exploring buddy, Dakota, and I made the trek down the trail and were rewarded with these views of Falls Creek waterfall, discovered of all days on Columbus Day. It's off the beaten path and though it is part of the NC Mayo State Park, there is no signage leading you to it. I found it on the internet site for the park and got an address which I plugged into Google. Though darting back and forth between state lines, you eventually end in NC just under the border on a dead end gravel road. It is in a deep forest where the road ends and there is a paved parking lot where you pick up the trail to the falls.

 Mostly downhill to the falls, it is a short hike through the deep woods. I kept listening and sure enough you could hear the falling water and the closer you got, the louder it became. It is not a raging torrent but a gentle roar that greets your ears as the rambling creek meets the enormous granite stones and drops for 25 feet into the pool below. No one else was there when we arrived and the solitude and peace overwhelmed me. God's architecture of sight and sound always wins out over my personal anxieties, shortcomings and failures. There is no medication better to relieve your stressess than being in the midst of God's handiwork.

 After a bit, a couple of other folks showed up, and we explored a little below the falls. Finding nothing of interest we decided to head back and look for flora, fauna, and critters. We found none of the above but we found some interesting fungi along the trail. And oh yeah, it is uphill all the way back, not bad. but up none-the-less. There was no fall color yet, but I suspect I'll be going back in a couple of weeks just to see.

December 30, 2021