A Mystical Journey to Rainbow Falls at Jones Gap in South Carolina

Washing the World Clean

Rivers swell and churn

A fluke winter thunderstorm

Washes the World Clean

A couple of days ago, we had a powerful winter storm. My friend I was hiking with said his other hiking friend’s detached garage burned to the ground, after it got struck by lightning the night before. A thunderstorm of that magnitude is unheard of in this area in January and a sign of climate change. Recently, I read that the southeastern United States is ground zero for climate change. Often we think of its affects as only being along our coastlines from rising seas, but climate change affects inland areas as well. The more intense storms we are getting result in flooding and erosion through the mountains and valleys. Still, swollen rivers can be very beautiful when they aren’t too out of control and I always feel they are washing the world clean. The wide fluctuations in temperature from one day to the next also created lots of fog that lingered through most of our hike.

Film Noir Trees

Film noir trees

Arch and reach for each other

Humans Quarantine

As we continue to live through this period of unrest and confusion and a pandemic that has spread out of control, I often feel like I am living in a fog. Sometimes I wonder if I will forget how to converse. I make lists of all I miss, which are never things but are rather people or experiences. With delivery services, those of us who are fortunate to have resources can still order what we need. But no matter how much we long to congregate, that remains out of reach for another season at least. Nature is all that keeps me grounded and hopeful, and for so many this is true. The way nature consoles us during these times is all the more reason why we should not fail the environment now. While I am out walking, I still make images and notes regarding the indicators of nature’s health and well-being and I observe how interconnections help the earth to continue surviving while we are so ill. My prayer is that more people will use this period to forge a deeper connection with the earth and water and will heed Mother Nature’s lessons. Perhaps those who venture out for the first time will feel called to join me in helping to protect our only home.

Looking up into the Mist

Huge boulders rise up

Clashing weather systems bring fog

The future unknown

Carved Steps Around a Boulder on the Way to Rainbow Falls

Steps carved in stone beckon

Steamy fog cloaking bare trees

Nothing makes sense now

Dragon's Path to the Heavens on a Misty Afternoon

A dragon’s path winds

Through fissures and up steep slopes

Towards heaven’s veil

Approaching Rainbow Falls

First glimpsed through fog

Water and earth tinted pale blue

Numinous presence

Waterfall in the Mist, Supernatural Visitation

Towering leafless trees

A Cascading beam of water

I see with new eyes

Rainbow Falls Illuminated

Miracles happen

Winter fog lifts with sunlight

Reveals all lifeforms

Soon after the light broke on this spectacular scene and revealed Rainbow Falls in all its splendor, the fog descended again. We walked to another viewpoint and the sun briefly shone again, before the fog returned once more for the remainder of our walk. For those who do not give up searching, glimpses of the nature of life and being are revealed from time to time, but they are epiphanies and we can never become complacent. I suspect the search for meaning and purpose will carry on through all my days, but like Takoda I am learning being content in the moment is different from complacency. And I am always grateful for what is being revealed, whether it s a grand view or an intimate detail. Life is so precious.

Takoda Contentedly Contemplating the Moment