I went to my favorite place … Little Stoney Falls. Once I got there, however, the parking space was full of cars. I was in no mood to share MY falls with all these people, so I simply turned around and moved on.
I took the long way around to get there to begin with, for what better way to spend this magnificent day than driving around with the convertible top down and the music playing? From there, I took the long way around again and wound up in Coeburn, taking the turn for Flag Rock and the High Knob tower.
I lost myself in thoughts and dreams as I drove up the curvy, winding mountain road. It was one of those perfect days where the sky is blue, the clouds are white, the weather is warm and the light is magnificent.
While I did stop at Flag Rock and was bewitched by the beauty of the mountains, the blooming rhododendron and the sheer beauty of creation, I bypassed the High Knob tower.
There is no longer a tower there and the trees had grown up the last time I visited making the view nearly nonexistent.
I just kept driving.
Over the mountain.
The dirt road in front of me, the dirt road in back of me, the forest on either side and the incredible sky above.
At some point, I did get behind another car and found myself, once it was said and done, covered with a layer of dust.
Small price to pay for driving along with the top down and all of nature surrounding me, filling my head with dreams and images; I was in another place for that space of time.
I ended the day with a stop by the cemetery to talk to Jim about this, that and the other thing. It seems that my visits there over the past few weeks have done wonders to balance my spirit.
I have things to say and no one, in particular, to say them to. I talk to the sky, the wind, the grass, the birds … and I talk to him. Nobody knew me the way he did. I doubt anyone ever will again.
But that is neither here nor there.
It was a lovely day and I am grateful.
A Photographer's Heart 