In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary. 
My profession is always to be alert, to find God in nature, to know God's lurking places, to attend to all the oratorios and the operas in nature.
--Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) author and philosopher
In wilderness I sense the miracle of life, and behind it our scientific accomplishments fade to trivia.
--Charles Lindbergh (1902-1974) Aviation Pioneer
Rhythm is the basis of life, not steady forward progress. The forces of creation, destruction, and preservation have a whirling, dynamic interaction.
--Kabbalah
Not sure of the name of this one...perhaps Green Mountain Creek Falls or Yonahlossee Falls. It's found along Route 221 near Grandfather Mountain. Another photo here.
Man's heart away from nature becomes hard.
A reader recently sent me a good question... “Can you recommend a good one-night backpacking trip, dog-friendly, for some fit-but-out-of-hiking-shape people?”
I’m not much of a backpacker...I’m more of a day hiker (actually, more of a half-day hiker!), so I sent the question on to my friend Hiking Bill, and here was his response...
Without knowing how many miles they are looking to walk, and not knowing how physically fit they are, it's just hard to make a good recommendation. But, in my opinion the very best overnight backpacking trip in our region is from Carver's Gap to 19E. It's about 14.5 miles with tons of views, campsites, and water sources. If that is too many miles for them or too tough, then another option would be still to start at Carver's Gap and go north, but once at Yellow Mtn Gap you could go down the Overmountain Victory Trail. This would cut off about 5 miles and would be a lot less strenuous (all downhill).
Another option would be in the Grayson Highlands (Southwest Virginia) (more park information here), 12 miles and simply a wonderful one-night backpack! Click here for description and details of the hike.
Another one that I loved in the Grayson Highlands gives you the chance to summit Mount Rogers (Virginia's highest peak). It's only 11.3 miles and is one that I took some beginners on for their first backpacking experience. Click here for more information.
Another friend, Marty Silver, also weighed in on the question and recommended...
The hike from Carver's Gap to Yellow Mountain Gap along the AT - you can stay at the "barn" at the gap, or push on to any of a number of great camping spots near Little Hump or Hump Mountain.
If you have another one night backpacking trip in our area that you’d like to recommend, please let us know!
Above: Duke stops for a breather along a section of the Appalachian Trail on Roan Mountain (8/08).
I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for.
--Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986) American Painter
Sadly, I missed the peak of autumn on the parkway this year. The timing and the weather just didn't work out. I took this photo of the Linn Cove Viaduct from the trail the winds its way beneath this magnificent structure. Click here to learn more about it.
The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man. ~Author Unknown
This is one of my favorite falls in our region...not for its power, but for its grace and serenity. This was the scene yesterday afternoon when I visited the falls with some friends. However, last night at dusk a student from Milligan fell and was injured here. Thankfully, the initial diagnosis is very encouraging, but she still has fractures, so please say a prayer for Abi that she will recover quickly.
Click here for directions. If you visit this, or any other waterfall in our region, please be careful!
Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life. Amen.
--The Book of Common Prayer
My good friends Jeremiah and Emily exchanged their marriage vows yesterday in a beautiful and very touching ceremony. They're a wonderful Christian couple: faithful, compassionate, gracious and fun, with a heart for ministry and service. Congratulations and blessings to you both!
This weekend is homecoming at Milligan College - a chance to reconnect and reminisce with former students and get caught up on their lives. I'm amazed at the depth of commitment of our alumni to the College. Today I saw alums from California and Colorado who flew in to celebrate their 5th reunion. Tomorrow the class of '59 will gather to celebrate their 50th reunion. I imagine for many of them it really does feel like they're coming home, to the place that expanded their minds and their faith, where they entered a community, which became a family and enriched their lives. I'm grateful to be a part of it.
ALMA MATER
by Bela Hubbard Hayden
In Tennessee's fair eastern mountains reared against the sky,
Proudly stands our Alma Mater as the years go by.
Forward ever be our watchword, conquer and prevail;
Hail to thee! Our Alma Mater, Milligan, all hail!
Cherished by her sons and daughters, memories sweet shall throng
Round our hearts, O Alma Mater, as we sing this song.
Forward ever be our watchword, conquer and prevail;
Hail to thee! Our Alma Mater, Milligan, all hail!
If you do not sow in the spring, you will not reap in the autumn.
--Irish Proverb
Root cellar at the Dave Miller Homestead, Roan Mountain, TN.
The one red leaf, the last of its clan,
