This fall was off the beaten path and worth the long hike down to see it.

North GA hike

Janice, Marcia, Anne, Candace and me. We have hiked together for years now. This was a great one. The leaves, weather, cabin, food and fellowship were perfect. Stayed at Blairsville, GA to hike surrounding area and part of Appalachian trail.

Blood mountain

The mountain behind rock is blood mountain and we climbed it.

Anne at the top

Anne flew in from Houston. It was great to see her.

Candace

360 degree view

Beautiful leaves

Beach Oct. 2011

Pelicans

Texas Hill Country

I had a photo shoot in Austin Tuesday so Thad and I visited with my brother Randall at his home near Houston. Randall and my sister-in-law (also named Paula) took us in their RV to camp and explore the hill country near Austin. They showed us a great time camping at Pedernales Falls State Park and we also visited Enchanted Rock and Fredricksburg.

Pedernales River

The first evening we went trail biking. Found out real quick I am not in shape and know why it is called the Texas Hill Country. It was even more exciting trying to bike home after the sun went down. Randall and Paula C.

Randall

My Texas Brother knows how to camp in style. We had a great time in their RV.

We woke up to deer outside our window each morning.

I managed to get really close to this deer.

I finally got a photo of a Texas lizard. A ringtail.

Pedernales Falls State Park

One of the best places I've been. I love rocks and water. They don't allow swimming anymore due to deaths, and what a shame. That didn't stop us from getting wet.

Massive hunks of smooth boulders with pools of water all over. You have to explore this place to really appreciate it and we did.

We were like big kids playing on all these rocks. It took some doing to go upstream as far as we did.

Found a cave.

Just beautiful.

A Texas size tarantula. So cool to see one.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

We drove over to climb this huge mound of pink granite. Long climb up, but it was worth it.

Randall and Paula C

We hiked a long way around the rock.

Thad by a rock.

Flowers manage to grow in places you think they couldn't.

We had a blast on this hunk of pink granite. The view is amazing.

Panama City Beach, Florida

After the oil spill, I thought I might not see the beaches like this again. I appreciate it more knowing how fragile it is and how quickly the privilege of enjoying all this can end. My husband and I are trying to go to the gulf as often as possible. We are lucky to live so close to such beautiful beaches.

Backwater River 31 mile trip

4th of July weekend, my "little" brother Jason, good friends Wendy and Steven and I canoed and kayaked 31 miles down the Blackwater River in North Fl. Weather was awesome and the water just right. Pristine tea colored water with white sand beaches along the shore. Found a great campsite to hang our hammocks where Jason cooked us filet mignon to dine on. Saw great blue herrons, a bald eagle, bear and gator tracks. The ranger told us we couldn't do it in two days, but we even got out early on Sunday afternoon. A great weekend!

How we hang

Summer kayaks

Blackwater

The water reminds me of a glass of tea. We hit Pizza Hut as soon as we got off the river to get some good sweet tea.

Fishing

White sand

The same sand as the beach

On the river

Chinnabee Silent Trail

This trail showcases the beauty of Talladega National Forest. It made for a wonderful weekend with warm weather during the day but chilly at night. I broke in my new 20 degree sleeping bag, and by the water, I needed it. We camped between waterfalls on Cheaha creek and you could really hear the water. My brother tried out his new camp grill for us by cooking steaks. There were beautiful spring flowers blooming everywhere. We came out Sunday midday so we treated ourselves to the famous buffet at the restaurant on top of Cheaha Mountain. The view is wonderful and we watched eagles fly as we ate lunch.

Spring flowers