Yesterday’s early morning sunlight was dazzling and left some of our trees looking jewel coated.

I love the paths at Fort Mountain. If you have never been to this magical place, then take a day trip and go! You’ll thank me for the suggestion. The  lower pathway winds around the south side of the mountain and ascends through a forest of hardwoods, pines, Hemlocks, and fir trees.

The day we were there it was late and there wasn’t much light left but that was okay. I have always loved being on this mountain late in the day and especially on rainy days. Can’t explain why and won’t even try.

This is what I really wanted to see. From the top of Fort Mountain you can see the Black Mountains in the distance. This is one of the best state parks in Georgia. And there is lots of history to discover on the mountain. A rock wall runs 855 feet around the top of the mountain. It varies in height from two to six feet. When it was built, it was probably much taller. Lots of unanswered questions remain about its construction: Why was it built? Who built it? When was it built?

Researchers believe its construction ranges from 500B.C. to 1500A.D. The current commonly accepted date for construction is 500 A.D. The myths of the culture who built it abound. Some people say local Indian culture tells of a race of “moon-eyed” people. Some choose to interpret this as “white people”, inferring that the dark eyed Indians would select this as a description for a light skinned blue eyed race. If the “moon-eyed” people myth can be believed it would more likely be a reference to the god they worshiped than to the shape of their eyes.

This is northwest Georgia, which so different than the other side of the state. And it was Chipley’s first visit. It’s beautiful in any season.

Years ago I learned a tremendous lesson on this rock. After a long climb up the trail in the middle of summer when it was hot and humid, I stopped here to rest. The woods were dense with leaves and though I could hear people on the path in front of me, I did not realize just how close the overlook was. In fact, I was sure I would have to travel another mile to reach the summit. I was wrong, the deck that overlooks the valley below and the mountains to the south and north was only a few more yards! But I just stopped and rested and then I turned around and walked back down the path missing one of the most amazing views in the state. Later after a return trip, I discovered what I had missed—an amazing view. It was then that  I promised myself  that I would always see the trail through to the end and never quit until the journey was over.

The snow is gone. That’s a good thing. But more could be on the way. That’s an interesting thing. Therefore, with weather changes coming, I decided it was time to get the dogs out for a long walk in the nearby woods. They had a blast. Everyone was happy. I swear Chip went to sleep last night with a smile on his face. Cocoa was in her element tracking down potential bears and raccoons.

If felt good to be outside, walking fast, and listening to the crunch of fall’s discarded leaves under our feet. We didn’t have a care in the world until we had walked about a mile into the dense woods and realized we were alone . . . in the middle of the national forest . . . with all the wolves, bears, coyotes, skunks, bobcats, foxes, and wildcats. Knowing this area, that is probably not a complete list. I comforted myself with the fact that there were probably no snakes near the small creeks that we had to cross over—not in the dead of winter and probably no bears either. Whew! See, there’s good news hidden in all things. You just have to lift up a few rocks to find it—or maybe not. (smile)

“Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours.” —C. S. Lewis

I must be crazy to post this photo but my friend Ken said, “No! Don’t throw it away. Post it!” He likes strange photos that have been reworked in photoshop. It was taken recently at Victoria Bryant State Park, which seems like a really nice park. Snow was still on the ground but people were there walking their dogs. The park has a lake (the photo above), lots of walking trails, and plenty of places to picnic and cookout.