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Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
I am going to be more positive. I am going to see more, do more, and learn more. This year I want to travel and see what’s beyond my front porch. I’m going to create more art. I’m going to get my muse back. I’m pretty sure I scared her off or else she died of boredom. I’ve let my creativity become stifled or caged over the years…in a box…a cubicle to be exact. I’m learning to play the violin, and taking photography classes. I’m planning trips with my wonderful husband. I’m also going to make an effort to get to the Smokies more often with my kindred spirit of a hiking buddy. I’m going to enjoy the little things in life. There’s beauty all around us if we just slow down long enough to see it. I’m going to become more of a humanitarian. I’m going to give more. I’m making it a point to help more people…as well as our little furry friends. I’m going to put more effort into reducing my carbon footprint. I’m still much more wasteful than I should be. These really aren’t resolutions. They are more like lifestyle changes. I’m still working on becoming the person I want to be…slowly but surely.
I have to admit…2009 was one of the best years I’ve had so far. My dear husband seems to be happier than he’s ever been…despite the fact that he’s working two jobs and long hours. Our finances are under control which is a major stress relief. We are working to become debt free and are very close to getting there. I believe our marriage is stronger than it’s ever been. Our home is coming together. It’s an old house but we are slowly fixing/replacing everything. I went on some wonderful adventures with my kindred “Squirrel”. She is a very dear friend and I’m thankful I found her. I finally learned how to crochet. I’ve become a healthier and more positive (most of the time)…determined person. I’m well on the way to fixing my body and I have a game plan on becoming a mother…thanks to a wonderful doctor I found late in the year. I found a part of me that had been missing my whole life…my sister Stacy. I signed up for photography classes with my “sister” Dove. They actually don’t start until this year however in 2009 she found her passion and we share it…it was a great way to end the year.
Bryan and I saw Avatar in IMAX 3D. I have to say that it’s the best movie I’ve seen in a very long time. It’s about a planet that Earth is allied with. It is populated with many amazing animals and a race of beings called Avatars. Humans are learning their culture as well as teaching the “savages” our language etc. They also have something on their planet that we want….but I’ll leave the rest of the story a surprise. The Avatars are beautiful creatures. Their world is amazing. I want to live in a tree with them! James Cameron created an entire catalog of new species….plant and animal. The movie has plenty of intense action, beautiful visuals, humor, and of course a love story…awwwww. It’s a definite must see. It’s one to add to the movie collection. FYI, I don’t recommend seeing this movie in 3D…..so much action….it made me sick...no...really.
Sonia, Wendy, Wendy’s daughter Kaitlyn, and myself went to see New Moon on opening night. Are we crazy? Most definitely. The date had been marked on my calendar for almost a year. I pre-ordered the tickets weeks in advance. I was excited like a little school girl the entire day anticipating the movie. Pathetic...I know. I’m 29 years old and I’m drawn into the Twilight series like a little teeny bopper.
I know it’s early but since everyone in the free world has been pushing Christmas since before Halloween…I might as well get on with my Thanksgiving thankfulness. I can’t say I am big on this holiday. At least…I’m not keen on its origins. However I do have some very fond memories of family get-togethers. Also, it was just a few days before Thanksgiving in 1997 when I started dating my husband. Anyway I digress….I’ll get on with it.
I'm thankful for my hiking buddy and fellow squirrel. We are definitely kindred spirits.
I'm thankful for books and coffee...and a thirst for knowledge.
I’m sure I’ve left something out. I always do. Oh I know!
I’m thankful for four-day holiday weekends!!!
Jessica's AKA Hammy's first overnight hike
It was a gorgeous morning in the Smokies. The leaves were just starting to change. Vibrant shades of yellow, red, and orange. The chipmunks were out in full force. The trail was just an old road bed. Needless to say, it was a brisk beautiful walk to campsite #24. Sure I took an unintentional bird bath in a creek. Ricekrispy did a slippery slide into the creek herself. Refreshing!
Rice Krispy, Hammy, and I kept a decent pace and we made it to the campsite by around one o’ clock. Of course it was much too early to stop hiking for the day. If it was THAT easy we could surely make it to campsite #30 with nooo problems. We had plenty of water…we had a nice sit down…fuel in the tank. The twelve year old was doing great, Rice Krispy was keeping her heavy pack up, my feet were feelin’ fiiiine. So off we go to campsite #30….or what I now call…”The Island”. The trail became smaller. The old road bed ended and we were back to a more natural trail. Good. We like it that way. Then…we came upon some rather large…rather unavoidable…fallen trees. We managed to maneuver…very carefully…arch the back…one leg…two legs….BALANCE THE PACK…to the other side. Another tree….and another…ANOTHER? Hammy hopped her way over the trees…ahhh to be young again…arg. Then came the water crossings. Some were deep enough to barely cover the boots…others knee deep. I have to say it was the first time I did the splits in a creek :giggle:.
Are we there yet? Wait...where did the trail go? Complete wash out…over a chasm of rocks…up a bluff…down another bluff…and we were back on the trail again. The lady hikers marched on. A gentleman carrying a fishing pole with a camping sleeping bag attached to his back merrily greeted us and then went on his way...onward and upward. He was wearing jeans…and carrying a load…and boy was he moving fast :sigh:. Just when we thought it was almost over…the trail took a nosedive…straight DOWN. What else is this trail gonna throw at us? I...delirious with exhaustion…just sat my butt right in the middle of the trail. ::Giggle:: easy trail…noooo problem…HAH!
So we sat…and we thought of ways to get down that would not end in one of us breaking something. I thought…I’ll scoot down on my rear. Perhaps we could just throw our heavy packs down. Then…we saw him. The smiling man with the fishing pole. His pack was gone…that must be the campsite right…over…there! ::Squeel:: Figures…I collapsed right before we found camp. Ok…we can do this! The packs were strapped back on. We hiked right down the ravine. Ok...not as bad as it looked. Ahh I heard the sounds of a creek…on both sides of us. We were surrounded. I could SEE the firepit of the campsite…it was so close...and yet…so far away. Surely we weren’t supposed to climb over rocks and through a swift moving creek…and...up a bluff to get to it. So…on we went…and before we knew it…the trail had ended and we were worming our way through a grove of thick low trees. They looked like mini magnolias.
Water…more water…deeper…wider…all around. I got my survival whistle and blew it until I was blue in the face. The fisherman had vanished :poof:. Ok let’s back track…no…definitely not another branch of the trail. Back and forth…back and forth. Daylight was fading fast. Ok...I cry uncle…stealth camping anyone? No..no…no good spots. A firepit would be glorious. Ok…only one way up there. Over the rocks and through the knee deep fast moving cold water we went…then…up a bluff. Ahhh. Finally. I was going to stay there and live forever and always. I’ll send for the husband and dogs! “Tell me again why we do this?” said Ricekrispy. “Because we love it!” I said with a smile to keep from CRYING!
It was time to set up camp. “The
Ok the tent was up…the hammock was hanging…the packs were far enough away. What bear in his right mind would think of coming over here eh?! The camp stove worked like a dream. For once, we had warm food in our stomach. The wet socks etc were thrown over a laundry line. The boots…marinating on some rocks. It’s was pretty darn close to hikers midnight. The air was chilly. It was time to curl up on the ground and think about sleep. The 12 year old was my tent mate. At one point I was almost certain she was a little tree frog. I almost threw her out of the tent before I snapped to the realization that she was indeed Hammy. What a night it was.
I thought the sun would never come up. It's amazing how the simple things in life...the most wonderful things in life are the ones we take for granted...or just forget about. The sun is an amazing orb of warmth and happiness!!! I was up before everyone. Snapping photos and saying goodbye to this...island. Time to pack it all up...fill'er up with water. Achy cold sleepy bones were moving a little slower. We were off again...into the morning mist.
We made it over all the obstacles with no problems. They were much easier to tackle after a night of rest. We were flying back down the trail in record time. We had all gotten our second winds! Now it was time to try Cucumber trail. Why not? We want to cover as much trail as we can. It was very interesting to say the least. The trail was deep in the woods and made me feel as if I was on a jungle expedition. It was decorated with hanging vines and tree roots...definitely one of the more scenic trails we had been on. Majestic trees...deep ravines...mossy boulders...all very nice. It was mostly up hill and I lived up to my trail name..Inchworm. As I huffed and puffed I yelled to RiceKrispy "Tell me why we do this?!?!?!" "Because we LOVE it!!!" was the reply...of course.
Another hiking trip over. We survived. Hammy has earned her hiking boots. A hot shower brings us all back to life. My bed never felt so good!
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