My World

Between the heat, the soaring gas prices and the crazies creating havoc all over the country we have sorely decreased our travels. But, today we just had to do something. My large knitting project is almost complete and my hands needed a rest. My soul needed rejuvenated and refreshed.

I did my regular Monday routine of changing the bed linens, washing, drying and putting them away after making the bed with another set. It was 2pm by the time we had eaten breakfast and all that was completed. Hubby walks through the house and says “what road trip adventure are we having today. It isn’t as hot as it has been.” Well, seeing as I had not a chance to go outside at all, this statement got my attention. Hubby hates hot humid weather so I expected a huge difference. Wanting desperately to be outside doing Something, I went out for my litmus test.

Litmus test you ask? Over two years ago we removed an old bayberry stump from an area I wanted to turn from lawn to flower garden. I never understood why the previous owner planted it where it was and wanted it gone because it was constantly needing trimmed to avoid being pricked by its thorns when mowing the lawn. Once removed and a variety of flowers planted in a large mulched area that was no longer mowed, small shoots started sprouting from the vast extended roots underground requiring daily plucking. My litmus test is to see if I can pluck the new shoots without getting overheated. That tells me if I can enjoy being outside for any length of time. I ❤️ hot weather and we get out share in northeast Alabama. But the type heat and humidity we have had the last two months is off the charts unprecedented for this time of year. To my joy, I was not bothered by the 88 degree temps and told hubby let’s DO THIS!

We got our walking shoes on and headed north to the foothills of the Appalachian mountains at the late time of day of 2:30pm. One of our all time favorite day trips is to Little River Canyon at Desoto state park. We haven’t been in several months. My hope was that the area had gotten more rain than our home and the river would be up.

Everything was so very green! This was encouraging. It is a beautiful drive to the park, no matter the season. Being the middle of the first work day of the week, there was hardly anyone around which is fine with me and the minute we hit the top of the mountain the temperature dropped to 78 degrees!! This trip was all about being in God’s beautiful nature and refreshing my soul.

I’ve always loved mushrooms in nature and seeing this huge red one at the beginning of the trail excited me. Obviously there had been more rain in the area. This one was as large as both my hands cupped together.

While the river was not raging as I have seen after rains in the past, it was still stunningly beautiful, running and babbling. I was so pleased because I have been there when it was so dry I could almost walk on the river bottom from one side to the other.

I zoomed my camera on to get a close up of the new growth I’ve never seen in all the years of visiting this section of the river. Seems a variety of swamp lily has taken up residence lately. I plan to go back in a month or so to see if they have bloomed. You can see them in the top right corner of the full view of the river photo. We saw lots of growth that the rains have encouraged in massive four feet tall woodland ferns that are normally only about two feet tall.

Not sure what the delicate purple flower is. Anyone have an idea? I had no internet service so couldn’t use my plant identifier. I’ve never seen these before and am thrilled they have taken up residence in my favorite neck of the forest.

The path leading back up from the river is so peaceful and beautiful. All of the woodland creatures were humming, chirping and singing. The slight incline was great for endurance training after so many lethargic months.

Once we were at the top of the path and headed back to the car we came up on a surprise treat from nature. Wild blackberries were all along that top portion of the trail. Of course we couldn’t resist having a taste of the plump oh so sweet berries!

We found more red mushrooms near Indian falls as we retraced that part of the beginning of the path.

We drove the serene calming ten mile road from the park that connects to the small town of Mentone just to see if our favorite restaurant, Wildflower Cafe, was open. I knew they had lessened their days of operation the last couple years but was in hopes they were back to full operation. Alas, they were not. It is an experience but to be missed if ever in the area. Their strawberry crepes are simply heavenly. The whole of the small town pretty much closes down until weekend days.

We continued our drive towards home stopping in Fort Payne for dinner at the Sante Fe Cattle Company. We don’t do fast food so it was the only option in the area. You can see in the photo who is sticking to a healthy selection😂. Not that burgers aren’t healthy….. just not with enriched white flour buns and I don’t know what ALL that was piled onto the burger.

My selection of grilled salmon….. yes I realize it is most likely farmed…. green beans and brocoli was plenty of nutrition for this old lady.

The trip was short, having only been gone from the house about 4.5 hours, but exactly what I needed. I always long to be out in nature as much as possible. It truly does rejuvenate my soul and body. We live in such a magnificently gorgeous world if we only take the time to see it.