Up in the mountains of North Carolina, we camped along a rushing mountain stream. Exploring along the stream, we saw shining rocks everywhere! Of course the first thing to jump into my mind was a picture of a gold prospector from 1849 sitting alongside a mountain stream panning for gold. Here we were, in 2015, with shining rocks everywhere! We’d struck it rich!! Continue reading All That Glitters
Author: Lauri Hawley
Unappealing Value
I think most of us would agree that this tree has some serious problems. Not one, but four ugly, tumor-like growths…poor tree! Those burls are no prettier close-up.
But what are they, exactly? Continue reading Unappealing Value
Morning Mist
As I sat by the mountain stream that morning enjoying the serenity of the moment, I thought about the mist. It’s only there in the morning, until the sun warms the air and the water vapor disappears. It’s a beautiful sight, but you have to catch it at just the right time, or you’ll miss it! Continue reading Morning Mist
I Can’t See You!
On our trip south this past summer, my husband and two of our children hiked up Mount Mitchell, the tallest peak east of the Mississippi. I drove up with our third to “rescue” them from the top! Once you’ve driven as far as you can, there is still a short hike to reach the summit. I took this picture from the top of Mount Mitchell, looking at one of the nearby peaks as the clouds were rolling in. That peak seemed to disappear as the clouds moved in, and even some trees nearby became hard to see. I knew they were still there, even if I couldn’t see them anymore. Continue reading I Can’t See You!
How Are You Training?
I survived the climb to the most-photographed spot on the Appalachian Trail!
McAfee Knob, overlooking the Catawba Valley in Virginia, is reached by hiking upwards 1,700 feet over a distance of about 4.4 miles. Hiking.com states, “You will get a good workout.” That’s putting it mildly, to say the least!! Continue reading How Are You Training?
Anyone for Coffee?
I was driving the other morning, and saw these flowers blooming alongside the roads everywhere. They didn’t seem to mind how fertile the soil was, as in some places they were the only plant thriving. I enjoyed the view all the way to my destination, when suddenly their name rang out from some deep recesses of my memory. Continue reading Anyone for Coffee?
Lauri Hawley 