PLATEAU PONDERINGS (October 21-November 10, 2018)

Our standby flights took us from St. Louis, Missouri, through New York City, and back to Knoxville, Tennessee.  The long way around, but when we fell into the king size bed at the Wyndham Resort at Fairfield Glade we knew that the next three weeks would be a great time of relaxing and enjoying the autumn beauty of the Cumberland Plateau.  We have been visiting this awesome location in Tennessee since 1982 and knew that the hospitality of the people and the spectacular scenery would make for a wonderful time.

The comfortable condo with the wood burning fireplace (firewood provided) was centrally located,
making it easy to access many of the varied walking trails that meander through the wooded landscape.  The fall foliage did not disappoint.  The valleys and hillsides were ablaze with bright reds, yellows, and oranges.  Streams and cascades provided sounds and sights that reminded one of the beauty of nature all around us.

Good friends, Mike and Elizabeth Adams, joined us for six of these and it was good to reconnect and share time together.  There really are few things as special as long time friends.


REFLECTIONS

Autumn is an amazing time of the year.  The stunning colors of fall on the Cumberland Plateau make for many moments of just standing still and allowing yourself to drink it all in.  It all comes together perfectly to cause one to catch their breath and pause to allow the images to be captured in their mind.  Captured, to be recalled from time to time, in memories of bright colors, crisp air, and the smells of the forest as it drops its decaying leaves to the moist ground.

Even the few rainy days that we experienced during our stay brought an additional beauty to the surroundings.  While the wind and rain caused the trees to shed their changing leaves in great numbers, it also filled the many rivers and streams to overflowing.  The increased water flow provided the resource to bring waterfalls and cascades to life.

Out of the rainy, windy, overcast days came a freshness in the air, the sound of flowing water, and the crunch of fallen leaves under your feet.  Out of what could be seen as wasted days came additional blessings.

It would be wonderful if all of life was filled with sunshine and blue skies; but it's not.  It has its rainy days. It has dreary days that seem to be wasted and long.  Always reflect on the memories of good days past and remember that even the dreary days can produce beauty and a resource for better days to come.