2nd of the 44 - The Great Outdoors

Yes...it has been awhile.   Maybe I should shoot for one blog post every 14-21 days!  Then I might be on track.  

For the second of my 44 things to be thankful for, I submit...the Great Outdoors!  

Now this might come as a surprise due to my last post, but I absolutely love hanging out in the mountains, adventuring in the outdoors.   But only sometimes.  I know I am a paradox with this.  

This one comes to mind as I spent last weekend with a buddy of mine, Michael, back out in the deep wilderness of West Virginia.  Well, maybe not in the deep wilderness because even though we spent one night tent camping (in the cold 20's), I was reasonably warm and cozy as we stayed the second night in a Bed & Breakfast in the little town of Davis, WV.

We do these trips a few times a year, but this time I told Michael I did not want any "Nazi Hiking".   Getting to be the advanced age that I am (har har), I wanted to take this one easy, and he complied.

Friday night was camping under the watchful eyes of Seneca himself, out by Seneca Rocks.   We had a roaring fire, told some stories and just hung out in the wild.   Waking up the next morning to Michael having made some "cowboy coffee", we then messed a short while in the Dolly Sods area and had some good times over at Blackwater Falls.  We finished up the evening over in Thomas, WV at the Purple Fiddle, listening to some live music courtesy of the City Dwelling Nature Seekers.

After a good breakfast at the Bright Morning Inn the next morning, we checked out the Maple Festival in Monterey, VA before heading back home.  An epic weekend indeed.

I am continuing the Great Outdoor theme this coming weekend as the family heads to Fairy Stone State Park, where my bro Tom and his family have one cabin and we have another cabin.  Mom is joining us as well so it should be a weekend trip of grand proportions!

I love seeing God's hand in everything in the mountains.   I am sure if Jesus came back for a quick vacation, He would set up shop in a cabin in the woods (and avoid the beaches at all cost)!  After all, the mountains are God's country!

The first of the 44

Where to start?  Where to start?  44 things that I am thankful for in this most momentous year!  44 things that I love and are a part of who I am!

As this is going to be in no particular order, I will not begin with the obvious top choices of things like Lisa, God, family, coffee or Tina Turner. So...random, off the top of my head.......

# 1 - Enclosed spaces and comfortable nooks.

Yes, I know this sounds really bizarre, but I enjoy being in small, comfortable areas.  Claustrophobic?  Not me.  There are few things more comforting to me than finding a comfortable nook to settle down in to read a good book with a cup of coffee.  Every time I take the Myers Briggs (and I have done it 25-30 times), I rank way far over in the scale as an introvert.  No extrovert in me!  Being around a bunch of people totally wipes me out after a while, and I need to find some time alone to recharge and regroup.  And the best way is in some place cozy and sealed off.

I find it funny that I love the outdoors, so hiking and camping rank high up there in things I love, but after a long day out in the woods, I enjoy climbing in the tent because it seals me off.  No sleeping under the open sky for me! 

I would probably stay cocooned up somewhere if not for Lisa.   She loves big, open, airy rooms....so when we built our house, we have these large rooms with lots and lots of windows.  I have come to enjoy them somewhat, but can always retreat to my office with it's dark, green walls and closed blinds.  Of course, when I am working in there and Lisa comes in, she is always saying, "open up the blinds and let some sun in".  Love you dear!

So here's a nod to those corners and cubbyholes, those alcoves and hideouts!   I am thankful for snug places to retreat!