stand and stare

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?  
--William Henry Davies (1871-1940) Welsh poet.  

This is Pine Ridge Falls in the Clark's Creek area of Unicoi County, TN. For directions, click here.

changes

Isn't it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different. 
--C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) British Scholar and Novelist.

Above: Clark's Creek on a cold, dreary day.

wrapped up

A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle.
--Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) US statesman, author, inventor.

A rhododendron wrapped up and encased in ice.

solitary and strong

Solitary trees, if they grow at all, grow strong.  
--Winston Churchill (1874-1965) British Prime Minister.

give and take

Impart as much as you can of your spiritual being to those who are on the road with you, and accept as something precious what comes back to you from them. 
--Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) German theologian, musician, philosopher, and physician.

hidden force

There is great force hidden in a gentle command.
--George Herbert (1593-1633) English poet.

You wouldn't have known it yesterday, but this sign reads "ROUND BALD, 5826 ft." With all the drifting snow, it's hard to tell how much snow Roan Mountain received. Probably around 6 or 7 inches. Always a beautiful sight!

experience

There is only one thing more painful than learning from experience, and that is not learning from experience.  
 --Laurence J. Peter (1919-1990) educator.

Ventured out to Jones Falls -- this time going in from Elk Falls rather than Buck Mountain Road. Everyone always told me it was the easier way to go, I just had never tried it.  They were right.  I've completely updated my post for Jones Falls with detailed directions.  If you've never visited this 100 foot tall waterfall -- it needs to be placed on your list!  

waves

You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. 
--Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) American author and philosopher. 

Above: Detail of Elk River at sunset.

elk river

No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.
--Heraclitus (c. 535 – c. 475 BC) Greek philosopher

city lights

There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast.
--Charles Dickens (1812-1870) English author. 

Not exactly fitting with the Appalachian Treks theme... but here are some shots I took flying into Chicago for Christmas. It's such a beautiful sight to see the city all lit up that I just had to share. :)

balance

Work, love and play are the great balance wheels of man's being.  
--Orison Swett Marden (1850-1924) American author. 
 
The Farmhouse Gallery and Gardens in Unicoi, TN played host to an intercollegiate cycling competition before Christmas.