Mountain Retreat

I was up early to watch the sun shyly blink over the mountain.  The silence was filled with bird song and the crashing waters of Silver Creek Falls plummeting over the rim of the canyon.

I could not resist the beauty of the woods and went for an early morning walk.  I discovered this cascade of leaves and Trilliums near a tiny babbling brook.  I stopped and filled my eyes for awhile.

I found a sparkle of dew resting amid some graciously folded miner's lettuce. 

The cheery smile of a dancing Trillium greeted me as I passed along the mossy path.

Above you see the lush greens of the mosses which drape everything in the forest.  I think it looks like a giant ameba--and it's smiling!

 A cluster of georgeous wild flowers caught my eye with their vivid pinks and greens.

It was amazing how quiet it was after everyone left.  My husband was a little late, so I read a book in a cozy little gazebo beneath the tall fir trees.  But I wasn't alone.  Here you see my sweet Guardian.  She was the most gentle of souls and everywhere I went, she was sure to be found close by.

What a wonderful weekend we had!  Some of you have asked what kind of a retreat it was, along with my subject--I had the privilege of speaking to a lovely group of woman about my life's Journey to Joy.  I felt  miracles happening all around us.  It was hard to leave my dear friends . . . it is gives me such JOY to know there are others who are now beginning their own Journey to Joy.

Sitting on a Mayflower

I always look forward to walking in the woods with my sweet Sis. Friday we found May Flowers, Johnny Jump Ups and Trilliums carpeting the ground. There was magic in the forest that day . . . and more spring flowers than either of us remember seeing before.
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The picture above is the first really good picture I've ever been able to take of a May Flower. They are VERY illusive.

One of the breathtaking moments of our walk included this little moth sitting atop a purple May Flower.

And there was a baby Trillium peeking out from beneath her Mama.

One couldn't miss the Skunk Cabbage we found growing down by the Crick. When their leaves are submerged in water they turn silvery. They are beautiful to look at, but there's a reason they're called "skunk" cabbage!!!

Above you see a Johnny Jump up. I didn't realize until later there was a cute little bug perusing his world from a bright petal.

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It isn't spring for me until I've seen one of these sunny yellow wood violets. This year has been a banner year for violets. I've seen pink, white, purple and now bright yellow!

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It was hard to leave the forest that day. Neither of us wanted to go back home . . .

So when the hustle and bustle of just living gets me down--I'll just slip back into the magical forests of our childhood, walking among the flowers and fern with my Sweet Sis.