The weather has been so warm this spring. I have wondered how the pansies have made it but they have and even though they are beginning to fade now, this one is still beautiful enough to share.

Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. — Winston Churchill

A recent rain provided a great time to drive back to Smithgall Woods. It is just a peaceful place and if you like trout fishing, it is king in that sport.

Late afternoon sunlight through the trees.

The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain. —Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

One of our favorite destinations, especially on Sunday afternoon, is the Chattooga River in Rabun County, Georgia. It is the “wild and scenic” river. I have to keep a close eye on Cocoa because she learned to jump and climb at Dog School 101. Everything that is challenging is seen as an opportunity to “go jump!”

Well, you know that with the beautiful weather I had to do it . . .  take  Chipley for a “cowdog” drive in the mountains. We ended up in the Wolffork Valley where we saw the guy in the picture above. I got out of the car and walked up to the fence and started taking his photo. Chipley was near me going nuts. The cow never moved a muscle . . . . He moved an ear, but basically, he just stood perfect still and let me take his photo.

And Chip was so excited about being this close to a cow and seeing it hold perfectly still that he talked about it all the way home. (You know I’m kidding, right?) I came away from the valley thinking about how beautiful these animals can be. They also are vulnerable in a sense because they are out in the open fields where anyone can stop, and like me, take their photos. Isn’t he beautiful? You could ask Chip but I can tell you that he thinks they are terrific!

I have to consider this often: if I were to move back to the city, I would not have views like this one at my finger tips or rather, at the end of my camera lens.

Cocoa is ready to go on a walk and not wanting to sit with me on this very slanted rock. We were at Black Mountain this past weekend and hiked a trail that is always fun in the winter because it is fairly kept up and safe. She’s talking to me in this photo and definitely saying, “Let me down and let’s GO!”

Here’s a photo of Black Mountain Lake. It’s located below the state park that is closed during the winter and is a beautiful location for walks and picnics.