Blog 523 – 01.13.2017
Fall Creek Falls
One of my friends on Social Media posted this beautiful frozen picture of Fall Creek Falls in Tennessee. I was born and grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee and saw beautiful Fall Creek Falls in spring, summer, and fall but never in the winter as depicted in the picture. I hear a lot of people who do not particularly care for winter complain and wish it would pass as quickly as possible. I do not agree with that thinking but love wintertime with its snow and icicles and blustery winds.

Winter requires more of us than the other seasons. It requires us to dress in heavier clothing, to wear hats, scarves, gloves, coats, and even boots. On the icy and snowy slippery surfaces we must drive more mindfully and even pay more attention to our feet when we walk. I slipped on the ice yesterday and fell on my “pride.” I was in a hurry going to my truck in the rain and like a pig on ice I danced for a moment then sat down unexpectedly. No real damage beyond a sprained ankle and a wet seat of my pants. I did also wet one pant knee getting up, that too can be a challenge on ice.

The beautiful icy picture of Fall Creek Falls inspires me to look more closely for the “diamonds of ice sculptures” all around in this frozen season. I took a quick look out the second floor hall window just outside the motel room I am staying in presently. There on the outside of the window were the most beautiful ice crystals splitting the sun light. Had I not taken a moment to pull back the sheer curtains I would have never noticed that winter sculpture just a few feet from where I live.

Most of us cannot drive out into nature when the weather is so cold but we can open our eyes to the winter wonderland around us. Be sure to watch your feet as you go “walking in a winter wonderland.”

Your friend and fellow traveler,
David White