The Luxury of Pines...

To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug.
--Helen Keller

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These pictures were taken last week at Lake Guntersville State Park in Alabama. Lake Guntersville is a HUGE man made lake that feeds from the Tennessee River. There is a gorgeous state park that we'd never been to. It was a freezing day (literally!) with high wind but there was still plenty of beauty to see.

And, it seems to me that the pines in Alabama are much taller than they are in Michigan. You should have heard my kids when I lay on my back to take the picture of the pines, above. "What is she doing?!?" (They say that a lot. We photographer types just get used to it, don't we!?)

A herd of deer had been on the beach that morning...

A finger of worn driftwood...

The face of a dragon appears in this driftwood...

The sway of the water rocks the boat docks as we look at the islands in the distance...

The gnarled roots of a tree remind me of the beauty of old hands and the years and the work they've done to become that way...

The "love" tree, full of carved initials, on the trunk and every reachable branch...
(Click on this photo and the one below for a closer look at the carving.)

My family waits for me in the distance as I snap away...they know I'm always trailing behind clicking away.

Higher yet, with colder temperatures...a beautiful view of Lake Guntersville. At the top of the mountain is a beautiful lodge and a row of chalets looking over the lake with a panorama even better than this!

A great way to start the New Year...

With my family....all together again! Nothing makes this mom happier.

Me and my man....almost thirty Christmases together!

Helen Keller had it right: our Creator put his all into the wonder and beauty of this earth. He took pleasure in creating that which --most of us-- our eyes and our cameras capture to keep.

And, in thinking about Helen's quote; I realize that in Helen's case, she could neither see nor hear; but she could enjoy the scents that God put into nature...that of the clean, crisp wind, the pine needle carpet, and the smell of fresh water. He added sound to round it all out and knows that we can derive enjoyment with all of our senses and provided in nature even for those whose senses are limited.