Shared by Audra Sandridge, as Guest Blogger.

This past weekend I had the much-awaited pleasure of staying in Cabin #12 at Bear Creek Lake State Park.  It must be said that exploring Virginia’s State Parks is a favorite pastime of mine.  Endless adventure and the awakening of nature never fail to excite. This time was a little different though.  I wanted to start the new year with the thought of allowing.  Allowing myself and nature the opportunity just to be together without cranking out hours and hours of discovery and adventure.  

I arrived at the cabin at dusk and couldn’t wait to start a fire.  The weather fluctuated between slightly humid days and cool brisk evenings overshadowed with rain.  I planned to spend some time writing and taking in the quietness that only winter itself can provide.  I watched as a few hikers wandered through the trails outside of my lakeside cabin.  A dog chased a ball across the way.  Retrieve, splash, retrieve, splash. The dog played tirelessly with the shoreline to himself.  As the time lingered on, I decided to take a break from my writing and venture out away from the cabin and the warm and cozy embers of the fire inside. 

I picked one of the many trails that exist just outside the cabin door and was instantly transported into nature’s world.  Wondering along a short loop trail for a brief time along the lake, then meandering along the creek bed, the hike was just what I needed.  Returning to the cabin to conclude my stay, I spent time reflecting and planning what part of Virginia would be the site of my next adventure.  Park to park and mile to mile each sunrise holds a unique perspective of the world.  I plan to spend a lifetime uncovering the wonders of nature within Virginia’s parks.

Fairy Tale Wedding
Wondering along the forest trail
Lost in thought
Leaves still crackle underfoot and the winter sky seems pale
Just a little walk in the woods I think to myself
Much like many others
Not seeming to find something new to discover
Up the hill and then back down
Suddenly submerged by the understory of pale beach trees
Forming a canopy overhead
Pale delicate wedding lace reflecting off the soft moving water
A wedding venue fit for the fairy queen
Were they expecting me?