Camping on the other side of the mountains earlier this month felt like we were on vacation somewhere very far from home, not just over an hour away. The smell of the pine trees and the waves of dry heat felt like a world away.
Our campsite on the Middle Fork of the Teanaway was right on the river. We put our chairs in the water, and it felt so good as it swirled on by us. Kirstin sat for hours in the rock pools they made. They were very refreshing. Have to mention not only finding crayfish by the log we added and the frogs across the river, small fish, hummingbirds, even osprey flying along the river, were fun to see. Enjoyed the cute little birds we don't see at home, but not those crazy flying beetle things, which Kirstin managed to backhand, punch and kick out of the air away from her, Alaina didn't have any interactions with them but she loved the little toad she caught. I was just glad the snake they saw was on the other side of the river!
The trail we hiked on is usually used by horses. Andy even found a lucky horse shoe, which is now hanging over the door of our shed. Wish I had worn different shoes, as we crossed back and forth over the river over and over again. Tucker even did some dog paddling, way to go hound dog.
Since I started composing this post, I can't believe the fire that broke out in the area we visited. May they rise from this burning like a phoenix please. My heart goes out to everyone there, the people, the animals, the land. It is difficult to realize sometimes how things like this can give people the opportunity to shine, spread light and heal our earth.
