A little experiment - year in review

I always like watching those year in review videos so this year I decided to try one myself.  I took a picture almost everyday before school, well...  till the end it was like once a week.  The video definitely shows the kids personality, it is a little quick but you can see good days and bad.  Some days when Jason would not open his eyes or look at the camera...  All in all I had a lot of fun with it!
 

Up on the mountain.....

     Every year my oldest son takes his summer pilgrimage to camp Living Waters.  Yes, this is a spiritual journey, a time dedicated to seeking the LORD while socializing with young people his age.  He absolutely loves it and every year the LORD deposits something into his heart for his journey.  This year I decided to go along... my second journey to the mountain, one I said I would never take again.
     Have you ever had a bad year, really bad year where everything you did seem to take a turn for the worse or the experience left a bad taste in your mouth so to speak.  Well, that was 2012 for me.  Camp that year for me was, well, yuck.  It really had nothing to do with camp itself or the people I met, just the place I found myself in.  So this year when I felt a need to return I was a little reluctant and found myself not committing until the last minute.
     As the time approached I found myself getting excited and determining to make this year a good year, trusting God was with me, and all would turn out great.  As in anytime you truly trust GOD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, HE WILL keep your paths straight.. and He did not disappoint.

Living Waters, Balsam Grove NC

    I know that God put in me a love for the arts, especially photography.  A professional, I am not, but I LOVE to take pictures and I never leave on a journey without my camera, or TWO!  So there will pictures throughout of my journey.  For those looking for a great place to take a vacation, try Brevard in Transylvania County.. home of waterfalls galore and if you get on the Blue Ridge Parkway there is tons of overlooks to stop and see magnificent views of this great land God created.  And talk to people along the way.  You will meet the nicest people, full of great stories of where they have been and can point you in the direction of neat spots you might not find on a tourist map.

Somewhere on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Graveyard Fields, Blue Ridge Parkway NC

     A friend once told me there was nothing like going up on that old mountain...and you know, she was right.  I can't quite explain it but there is a peace there.  It might be in that there is little distraction of worldly things, like TV... and you don't have continuous access to internet, so you can check your messages, but not constantly like at home.  You really do have quiet time, really quiet if you want.  You actually can hear the water flowing, the birds singing, animals scurrying about and you might even see a snake or two, but I was not particularly looking for that! 

Living Waters, Balsam Grove NC

     At the River house where I was staying I kept passing a bush outside the door.  It looked like a Rose of Sharon and every time I passed it it would catch my attention.  One evening when I was walking down the hill I saw it in the distance.  It was overcast but there was a break in the clouds and the light was hitting this bush.  Of course I had my camera.. 

     As I took pictures I kept hearing this old song about dew on the roses:

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on roses
And the voice I hear falling
On my ear the son of God discloses

And He walks with me and He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing

And He walks with me and He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

Songwriters
C. Austin Miles

     I think this song kind of sums up what it is like up there on that mountain.. It is a place of tarrying with the LORD, of hearing his voice, of walking and talking with Him.  A place of refreshing and renewal you need for the journey.  We can't all stay on the mountain 24/7 but we can savor the time we do get a long the way to tarry with the LORD and we can find time in our busy days to walk and talk with him. 

     The Sunday we were to leave I woke up early and I ventured out on the balcony one more time to listen to the river flow and I found myself crying, not really wanting to return home and depart from this "safe" place... my heart was so heavy that morning and then I realized what day it was, July 26, 2015, the fourth anniversary of my Father's death.  All I could hear that morning was the song of the dew on the roses.. and I knew my Heavenly Father was walking with me that morning and bringing comfort to me.  

      I got so much more deposited into my heart in my time up on the mountain. God surrounded me with loving friends, amazing ladies demonstrating the love of Christ and sound biblical teaching to help guide me.  Some great time of laughter and memories I will forever cherish of climbing to see waterfalls with some very adventurous ladies that made me feel young again and helped me laugh and push thru the pain.  Who allowed me to be who I am. 

Trees fascinate me :)

The Trail to Skinny Dip Falls off Blue Ridge Parkway

Skinny Dip Falls

Skinny Dip Falls

Skinny Dip Falls

Off Blue Ridge Parkway

Off the Blue Ridge Parkway

Lower Falls at Graveyard Fields.  

     We don't always know what is going to happen when we set off on a journey. Glad I took this one. 

Thanks for reading! 

Becky J.

Nothing like a last minute trip to Washington Oaks State Park!

     Sitting on the couch around 2 ish this afternoon looking at my kids parked in front of the T.V. , made me make a spur of the moment decision to get moving!  Come on people, it is a beautiful 80 degree, sun so bright I gotta wear shades, Sunday afternoon kinda day.  By 3:00 I had them loaded after a few attempts to dismiss me and my crazy, fly by the seat of my pants plan to visit, yes, you guessed it, another state park!  And yes, I had to bribe them with dinner.
       So, I had heard a lot of good things about Washington Oaks State Park.  It took me about an hour to get there.  We got lost but found A1A and took a scenic route.  Which was very nice.  I enjoyed the ride with the ocean on my right side and it kept the kids busy for a while.
        Washington Oaks is on the Matanzas River side of A1A AND on the beach side.  Word to those with small kids who love the beach, DO NOT tell your kids about the beach until you have had a chance to explore the river side.  The river side has beautiful gardens and paths and nature trails, which I was barely able to see because they could not wait to get to the beach.  We did find a bench on the river where I was able to sit and enjoy the views while they played on the rocks at the edge of the water.
         I was able to convince them to walk the path around the gardens to get back to the car.  So much beauty.  I could have wondered around the tree shaded paths, under the majestic oaks for hours, snapping pictures.  The formal rose gardens were not in bloom at this time, but I look forward to seeing them later in the year.  The azaleas were pretty much gone, but a few still lingered along with some roses of which I am not sure of the name, but they were gorgeous.  Lots of little ponds with huge fish and a gazebo, which was nice.
         I will revisit this part of the park in the future, it had so much to offer.
         We headed over to the beach side and oh boy! now, that is a paradise for kids who love to climb, jump, explore and find shells.  The coquina rocks!  So cool.  So much to explore.  There were little caves you could crawl in and pop up in various spots, like the game with the mole you have to pop on the head.  We found some star fish and tons of shells.   I would definitely recommend water shoes to help with all the climbing.  Some of the rocks were covered in green slime which made it very slippery.  Probably not the best place for little ones unsteady on their feet.  But my kids LOVED it.  They all gave it a two thumbs up and want to go back soon.. probably when it warms up a little.
           A few side notes.  There was a restroom on the river side back by the river, but everywhere else was good ol porta potties... which thankfully, it was a good day and no one had to use.  I know on the river side they had picnic areas etc...there were no picnic facilities on the beach side and no life guard.  There was a $5.00 car load fee to get into the park.
           I definitely give this park a two thumbs up myself.  Loved it and look forward to returning soon! 

    

Ravine Gardens State Park

     In my quest to visit the State Parks in Florida we ventured out this past weekend to Ravine Gardens State park in Palatka Florida.  I really enjoyed our visit to Ravine Gardens.  The whole family came this time and my In-laws joined us,which made it even nicer! 
      There is a lot of walking at this park.  It had a paved walking path that was close to 2 miles, very nicely done and a lot of people taking advantage of this trail.  There was also two nature trails that we ventured on.  There was a lot of up and down climbing.  In some areas there were stone stairs to help you.   The trails were defined and there were signs so no worries of getting lost. 
       The gardens were lovely and the azalea's were in bloom.  There was a spring and a couple of suspension bridges that the kids enjoyed.  A playground at the top of the hill, which was quite a hike to.  After we got there we realized we could have taken the paved walking trail, but hey, the kids enjoyed the climbing and wore themselves out! 
        All in all this was just a nice park.  Really enjoyed it and would definitely venture there again, probably in the spring time to enjoy the blooms and cooler temps.

P.S.  The restrooms were clean, there were some by the parking lot with snack machines then again at the top of the hill near the playground, which made me very happy after an hour of climbing up and down and all around :)   There was a charge to get in $5.00 for a car load.

 A pretty little gazebo near the front by the parking lot.

Loved the rock walls.

 The suspension bridge.  Kids loved making it rock.

 The little spring below the bridge.

Nice trails to follow.  Thankful for the stairs in some areas to help us along.

 Just lovely!

 That is a fountain.

There was a flag for every state.  I thought this was really cool.

Our first State Park outing - Bulow

    When I got this great idea of touring the Florida State Parks I knew some would totally excite the kids and others would well, just be a stop to check off my list.   I decided to start with Bulow State Park, the one with the Fairchild Oak.  It was free to get in and offered nature trails. 
     We got there and I was a little surprised.  Very small parking lot and thankfully a bathroom!  Really no one around.  The first thing we saw was the Oak.  It was stunning and huge! One of the biggest trees we had ever seen.  The kids were impressed but then quickly asked "what's next?" 

      There were several nature trails you could walk.   We decided on the shortest one.  It was very thick and very muddy.   When we got done I was so glad I had brought towels and sheets for my car.  As we were leaving many people were starting to filter in and most there to bike or hike, all armed with mosquito repellent and walking sticks.  Probably way more prepared to hike than we were.
       All in all, it was a very peaceful place if you like quiet.  Definitely would not keep the interest of my little ones for long.  No play ground :)

       After that I decided to drive over to the other Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park .   Now that place was beautiful.   To get to it you had to drive down a one lane road thru woods.  When we finally arrived it was just lovely.  The cost to enter was $4.00 for a car and it is the honor system.  We were greeted by a Ranger to answer any questions and give us general information.  The kids immediately spotted the water.

     Such a lovely spot by the Bulow Creek.  I could have sat there for hours enjoying the peace and quiet and the stunning view.   But, we had to keep moving.  We started towards the ruins and saw different animal tracks, which fascinated the kids.  We took the nature trail to the ruins, which was really nice and dry.  A wide path that was about 1/4 mile long.  Kids enjoyed the walk.  

      I think my oldest son enjoyed the ruins the most.  So much history.  Lots of information to read around the ruins to tell you what it is all about.  There was also a small museum with artifacts that had been dug up around the ruins and a canoe that had been built, all behind glass, of course.  There were also some more nature trials but they were close to the creek and very muddy so I decided not to venture down that path.

      We walked the road back to the Ranger station and saw deer tracks and heard lots of "things" scurrying around to keep our attention.  All in all, this was very enjoyable park.  Very relaxing and enjoyable on a crisp, sunny Florida day.  

     Planning our next stop soon! 

 

Ready or not Florida, here we come!

      I love to travel.  Well, let me rephrase that a little.  I love to travel at my own pace.  Especially when I am the one behind the wheel, blazing the trail, stopping to use the restroom when I need to! (those that know me, understand this)  I was born and raised in the Florida with a few stops here there.  I have lived in a few different states and a few different countries but I have always had a home in Florida.   I have traveled this state from Milton to Miami.
      When I was younger I traveled with my Grandparents a lot from Mobile Alabama to Alford Florida with a few trips to Lake Wales.  I think my most beloved trips were the ones where we would travel Highway 27 from the panhandle and take it all the way to Lake Wales.  Usually because my Granny was looking for a certain pair of moccasins that they sold at those old Florida Souvenir shops.  I loved those shops with all the Florida stuff... anything with oranges, alligators or beaches.  I know a lot of those places are gone now.  Though recently I came across a really cool one in Clermont, yes on Highway 27.
        So, when I got this idea last year to start visiting Florida State Parks I got a little excited.  This is something I can do, something my family can do.  I started searching out parks via google and Pinterest really got me going.  I really began to embrace this idea.  I truly do have an adventurous spirit but the group I reside with not so much especially when I mentioned hiking!  But starting tomorrow we are off!  We will begin with the Parks in our area.

       Being someone who loves history, I thought we would start with Bulow State Park and visit that 400 year old oak tree I hear they have and do some hiking, yes hiking!  It is going to be a gorgeous sunny day in the low 70's, a perfect day to do a little outdoor activity.  Wish me well and my three who will be coming with me.

       Ready or not, here we come! Oh and yes, there will be plenty of pictures :)

      

Still feels like yesterday.

    Today marks the 3rd anniversary of the death of my father.  Some days it still seems like yesterday.  You are told it gets easier with time and yes, the pain seems to be less, but the memories remain...  There are days you so long to talk to your love one.  My husband has told me in the past how funny it was that my Dad and I could hold a thirty minute conversation about the weather.  But we could.  We just enjoyed being together.  I loved just sitting with him and talking about life. 
      My Dad spent 20 years in the military and he had so many adventures and saw so many places.  I use to think it was a joke that my Dad knew everyone but HE did.  We would go places and he would start talking to someone and you would ask "you know him?"  oh yes, we served together in such in such or overseas.   My Dad knew a lot of history too.  He could tell you all kinds of information.  He was interesting like that.
        There are days I can still hear his voice.  Still hear his ol sayings and remember his nicknames for people.  I still dream about him and can sometimes still feel his hug and smell his cologne.  I am thankful for the memories that are still fresh.  I know as time goes by they will begin to fade.  It just happens that way and I have to be ok with that.
        I know one day I will see my Dad again.  I have that hope because I know he is in heaven with so many of my loved ones.  You know, it is hard as you get older to loose your family.  I am still very young and at times a little envious of those who are much older than me that still have their fathers.  So much still to share of life, but yet, it was his time and who I am to question that. 
         But till then... I will continue on... remembering the good.... trying to learn from the bad.  Hopeful and thankful for the time we did have.  I will try not to regret the things I wish I had done differently, the mistakes made, the differences we had.
          One thing I do know for fact is that my Dad loved me, loved his family.  I never once doubted that I was loved and for that I am very, very thankful.