Everyday Living

In Our Own Backyard

~ Outdoors, Travel

“How great are your works, O Lord!  Your thoughts are very deep!”
Psalm 92:5

Isn’t it true that we overlook things right in front of our eyes?  We can be surrounded by something our whole lives and never really give it a second thought!  Noccalula Falls is one of the most visited attractions in Alabama…and it is right here in our Appalachian foothills!  The waterfall leaves you awe-struck as the waters roar over a 90 foot drop, and the scenery that surrounds it absolutely takes your breath away!  People travel from all over to spend the day inside the park taking in the sights, riding the train from place to place, or even hiking to the ravine underneath the water.  And one thing you will always find is a photographer, whether professional or amateur, trying to catch that perfect shot of those majestic falls!

But there is so much history behind the place that sits right here in our own backyard.  Lace up your walking shoes and let’s take a stroll around Noccalula Falls!


Every shot is a picturesque moment!  Notice the rainbow!


Noccalula Falls is named after the Cherokee girl, Noccalula, who was the daughter of a Cherokee Chief.  She had fallen in love with a brave man who wasn’t suitable for marriage in her father’s eyes, because he didn’t possess the worldly goods that he wanted for his daughter.  So he took matters in his own hands and arranged her marriage to a wealthy chief of a powerful rival tribe.  Story goes that she was unhappy about the forthcoming marriage and jumped to her death near where this statue stands in honor of her.


This beautiful wedding chapel sits at the entrance of The Black Creek Trail, a 2.9 mile trail that runs along side the water…ideal for hiking, walking and running!  I attended a wedding here and the inside is so very rustic and quaint, as you can imagine!READ MORE

(The Ruins Of) A Castle Far, Far Away

~ Travel

“We love because he first loved us”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭

Let’s travel today, what do you say?!  Butch and I took a trip to the British Isles, and you may remember going with us to the well known Liverpool, England, (even checking out the music scene here),  Edinburgh, Scotland and Dublin, Ireland.  But we visited a few lesser known cities such as Newcastle and Portland!  And boy, were we in for a beautiful surprise as our ship docked in Portland Harbour, England!   We had booked a tour to a castle that we knew nothing about…we just decided to take our chances.  I have often heard people say, “if you have seen one castle or church, you have seen them all.”  I couldn’t disagree more!  They are all unique with their own history and beauty!  I had read that all that remained of Corfe Castle were ruins…and that just made me want to go even more….I don’t know why, but I love a ‘good ruin”!  It turned out to be one of our favorite stops among the four countries that we visited and oh-so-intriguing!  Come along as we take you to medieval hilltop ruins, a quaint English village, and a lovely man-made harbour.  Why not enjoy a “spot of tea” as we travel!


The dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle stand on a natural steep hill.


The first castle building was probably built of wood.  In the latter half of the 11th century, William the Conqueror rebuilt the Castle in stone. The chalk of the hill Corfe Castle was built on was an unsuitable building material, so Purbeck limestone quarried a few miles away was used.READ MORE

Walking Where Jesus Walked

~ Easter, Faith, Holidays, Travel

Having an opportunity to spend some time in Israel a few years ago almost seems like a dream.  What a tremendous privilege and blessing.  Visiting places where God chose to take on human form, live, walk, work, minister, die, and rise from the dead is overwhelming and beyond adequate description!  It is our prayer that you enjoy a quick journey with us as we visit some very special places in the Holy Land during this Holy Week.

The Jordan River rises on the slopes of Mount Hermon, on the Syrian-Lebanese border, flows through northern Israel to the Sea of Galilee and empties into The Dead Sea!  As you can see, this photo was taken in a tourist spot where people can be baptized in the Jordan!

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John,
to be baptized by him”
(‭Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬)

Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River and Christians from all over the world come here to be baptized!  Butch and I both had planned to be re-baptized, but when I saw the fish and river rats, I reneged!!READ MORE