Given the schizophrenic weather we’ve been experiencing in recent months, I thought this poem appropriate for the occasion, and seeing as how it’s about the seasons, I reckoned I’d throw in a few pics from hikes I took in 2 different seasons. Enjoy, and please do let me know what you think.
Changing Seasons
Snowflakes feather down,
gray frozen land a paler
shade of winter sky.
Crispèd leaves cascade,
blanketing sleepy ground with
motley red, gold, brown.
Silver raindrops slash,
sun-drenched sky, lamb-lion winds
waken vernal earth.
Molten sunbeams bathe,
hammering all with heat while
heavy eyelids droop.
This first set is from the Stone Door Trail in the South Cumberland State Park, on the Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Tennessee, autumn 2008. This is one of my favorite autumn hikes. I’m sure you can see why.
Me among the fallen leaves. Isn’t that an interesting tree?
My buddies at the bottom of the Stone Staircase…
…and ascending it.
Me looking pensive…
…and quite picturesque. I have this thing about taking pictures that make it look like I’m walking on air:
But I failed to keep the evidence to the contrary out of this shot.
This set is from summer 2010, at Prentice Cooper State Forest, also on Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau, northwest of and overlooking the Tennessee River and the absolutely beautiful Chattanooga (hi Tony!), one of my favorite weekend getaway destinations.
I was considerably shaggier then than I was in 2008! Don’t worry, I’ve trimmed the hair and beard back quite a bit since then; I no longer look like a scary wild man of the woods!
This summer hike was uncomfortably hot, and we were plagued by prolific ticks all afternoon…
…but the view and the sights along the trail made it worthwhile. That’s part of Chattanooga in the distance.
I was captivated by the notable fungal patterns scrawled onto this fallen log.
I bid you all a fond farewell and leave you with goodwill, hopes for a wonderful weekend, and all the love from the bottomless depths of my wat’ry heart…
…as I tread up into the sky over the mighty river below:
I’ll be in Chattanooga in Sept. It’s so pretty there. I love hiking and being outside. It’s so rejuvenating
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Amen to that!
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I love your photos … especially the heart shape in the rock!!! Thank you for sharing 🙂
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Thank you, Viola. Thought I’d try something a little different today. That heart shape in the rock is very cool!
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Rock pool.
Rock love pool.
🤣
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I don’t believe I’ve ever visited Tennessee. How beautiful!
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Yes, we have many stunning State parks!
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I loved that, “schizophrenic weather” so apt! 🙂
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Thank you, Phyllis! Have a lovely weekend!
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You too, hope the schizophrenic weather pipes down for you and your able to go for a hike 🙂
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I wish. It’s looking like a yard work kinda weekend…
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Well in that case we’re all looking forward to pics of the antics with your kids woot
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I really enjoyed your inner and outer goofiness and the beauty of the photos. What a lovely place! ❤
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Thank you, Martha. I was thinking of you today as I did my shoulder PT after reading your ‘quotidian’ update. I’ll be sending good thoughts for you when you go for surgery.
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Thank you, Denny. I guess a little part of me is scared so I appreciate all the good thoughts you have to spare. ❤
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Lovely verse and the accompanying photos. Thanks Denny.
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Thank you, Punam! Have a wonderful weekend!
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You too.
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The autumn 🍂 isn’t my fav time of the year, but nothing can beat the color of autumn on those pics 👏 thx for sharing
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My pleasure, Ray, I really enjoyed making that post! Thank you!
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Linked haiku, great, and these snapshots capture the changes well.
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Thank you, Dave. I knew someone would catch the fact that it’s a haiku cycle! You win the prize!
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Beautiful pictures! I have visited the Blue Ridge Mountains and have hiked on part of the Appalachian Trail when I was around eight or nine and the memories of the surreal experience are still with me. In India, we have our own share of gorgeous, mountainous trails, especially along the western coastline, but lack of maintenance is a big problem here.
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Thank you, Maanini! Do share some pics, please. Amid the current and unfortunately long-term anti-tax climate that engulfs our local and Federal governments, many of our State and especially our national parks suffer greatly from neglect, a prominent theme of Bill Bryson’s book _A Walk in the Woods_. I didn’t enjoy it as much as some of Bryson’s other works, but it highlights the the neglect and disrepair, which is part of what made it so frustrating for me.
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Wow, really? Never thought that national parks would be even in the slightest state of neglect, especially in a country like the United States. Yellowstone National Park and Yosemite National Park are two of my absolute favorites and I hope they’re as beautiful as I remember them. I’m not a big fan of the current administration either, but politics is a different topic altogether. 😉
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Not exactly. Politics determines tax rates and apportionment; State and Federal parks rely on tax dollars for support and maintenance. If politics are vehemently opposed to taxation, there’s little money and less will for park upkeep.
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I agree. Hope the department concerned, along with the US National Park Service takes cognizance of this. Thanks for sharing the pictures though!
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Beautiful photos, Denny! I love the poem as well.
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Thank you, Winnie! Have a lovely day!
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You’re welcome, Denny! I had a great one, thanks. It’s way past bedtime now 😁. Have a lovely day too!
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Sweet dreams, sleep tight, and don’t let the bedbugs bite! 😉
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Thank you! 😂😴
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You writing about yourself looking pensive made me smile :-)! Great post!
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Than you, Shelley!
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