The forecast for the next couple of days is rain and then more rain. I can’t explain it; but when this happens, I find myself wanting to gather up all my C.S. Lewis books and go some place alone to read, study, and think. Oh, I need to think these days and listen for the Lord’s words of encouragement.

A couple of weeks ago, several of us drove back to Neels Gap. The snow (at the time) was almost gone, but the cold weather had not changed. Hikers who were traveling through on the Appalachian Trail had stopped at the Mountain Crossings store at the Walasi-Yi to buy gear. The wind was blowing and I was grateful to be inside in the warmth for a few minutes. The day was winding down and everything at the gap was washed in a marvelous sunset glow.

When you see this sign, you know you are standing in a very adventurous place. 

Yesterday afternoon we stopped by Traveler’s Rest again, and Cocoa actually let me take her photo. The dogs love this place because there are so many wild sniffs. In fact, I guess that is what jazzes them about living in this area—no common city smells for them anymore. They get to smell where the “wild things” live. Below, Chipley is playing with a chip of wood from one of the pine trees at Traveler’s Rest. Sticks and pieces of bark continue to be his favorite (and not allowed) toys.

Drove to Clemson on Sunday afternoon  just to get away and enjoy the weather. We found this really sweet Catholic church just off campus. And once again, I had to take its photo because it sooooo reminded me of Father Tim and Jan Karon.

A friend took this photo of me and Cocoa Joy last weekend. She was refusing to let me take her photo. But when I picked her up,  she just dropped her head on my arm and relaxed. That’s when we got this photo of her—just being Cocoa.