Fall Again

Leaves incessantly are falling, slowly falling to the ground,
Falling quietly, softly landing, see them now as they abound.
Red and orange, yellow gold, and now and then a somber brown.
Verdant once the trees they parted now appear as nature's frown.

Such is Fall as we behold it at the seasons' changing guard

Wearing now its own bold colors laying mostly in the yard!

Who could stop it, who would dare take on a task so very hard?

Rather relish we the scene as though if Nature's fair reward.

Every year with expectation we await this grandest show,

Just like clockwork it will come, and just like clockwork it will go.

Breathless, we will drink it in, and all the while we surely know

Once magnificent the colors, soon may they be under snow.

October 2009

Valley of Death

"VALLEY OF DEATH"

On our way home from Tennessee recently we took a side trip off our "beaten path", so to speak,

and drove due north on US 52 from Rurual Retreat to the top of the range of mountains which were engulfed in a sea of multi-faceted fall colors. Every turn of the upward winding highway seemed to outdo the last vista and enthralled us with its beauty. Upon approaching the height of the top of the mountain, near where the road intersects with US 42, we observed a fire tower and as we drew closer we found a store at the base of the tower. There was an adjoining overlook which afforded a view over the whole valley below from which we had just ascended.

"Valley of Death," the historical marker proclaimed! How ironic, I thought, for such a beautiful place viewed from such a panoramic height. And if it were in the fall of the year, as when we were there, it is bound to have evoked at least a little dismay in the hearts of the Union soldiers who were sent here to destroy the salt mines and the railroad on which the southern armies, during the war between the states, so heavily relied. I suppose the lives of the eight men who were forfeited to the ravages of war in the ensuing battle was the reason this beautiful, and now serene, place has been designated "The Valley of Death," here in Wythe County, Virginia, all those many years ago.

From this distance in time, one gains a different perspective of a war which consisted of a people in a single nation between themselves. One can appreciate an evaluation of such a war as being anything but "civil." Ironically, there is no such thing as a "Civil War." And anyone who continues to harbor true and deep seated feelings of antipathy between a mass of people in one section of the same country against that of another mass of people of the same country, delineated by such terminology as "the North and the South," has their priorities crucially misplaced. It is one thing to joke about, but it is quite another to sincerely hold grudges over any number of years.

Mary Lee and the Large Tree at Sugarland in the Smokies

Pictures from Pigeon Forge, TN

What




Old Mill in Pigeon Forge

Old Mill Pottery Grill and Cafe'

Pigeon Forge and the Smokies

Our trip to Pidgeon Forge was highlighted by the good restaurants we tried. One of these, where we ate on two occasions, was the Old Mill Pottery Grill and Cafe'. which featured a beautifully designed outdoor garden. We ate there on the second occasion on a day warmed by a wonderful fall sun. We also enjoyed a trip into the outskirts of the Smoky Mountain National Park where we took a hike to a small water fall.

The Arduous Trail

Today, thanks to a generous anniversary gift from friends, Mary Lee and I drove to the Peaks of Otter in Bedford County in time to take advantage of a wonderful buffet lunch and overnight lodging. Our room afforded a view of the lake in the foreground and of Sharp Top mountain in the background. The leaves were just beginning to turn and in certain light the mountain glowed with an array of rather muted colors of oranges, reds, and yellows. Fall had arrived and the air was crisp with the freshness of the changing of the seasons. Today, the sun was shining brightly with very few clouds in the sky. The day was perfect for two lovers on a honeymoon-like occasion. We noted that the numbers of deer which we encountered were more bold that usual and we got some very goog pictures of them at close range. Their piercing brown eyes and unflinching gaze made us feel that we were the anomaly rather than the other way around.

After lunch and a change into more appropriate attire, we drove a short distance just north of the lodge where we were staying to the trail head leading to the Fallingwaters Cascades. This is a very beautiful and rather arduous trail that leads down the side of the mountain over many rocks and roots, ever descending for about 3/4 of a mile until one is alongside a rapidly falling creek that continues on down the mountainside. Finally we reached a point where the trail takes a sharp turn across a small foot bridge and over a glistening pool of water at the top of the falls. The trail becomes steeper at this point.

However, we did finally reached our destination at the foot of the largest cascade, which was somewhat smaller at this time of year because of the abating water supply from further up at the top of the mountain. This was quite a workout for the both of us, especially as we had to retrace our steps back up the trail to where we had begun our trek. However, the object of our hike was well worth the difficulties we encountered to obtain it.

God had richly blessed with another experience in the arena of the wonders of nature which His artful hand has created. And we wondered at his bountiful goodness to us.

"Oh that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness;

And for His wonderful works to the children of men."

PSALM 107:8