florida 2012 || part 1

west virginia <3

We set off for Florida on August 28th, bright & early in the morning - just before sunrise. On day one, we crossed the border at Port Erie, went through Ohio, Pennsylvania, & then across West Virginia. I absolutely fell in love with West Virginia. The mountains & valleys, all arrayed in the deepest, most vibrant shades of green & bright blue rivers winding through the hills. It was the most picturesque place! I only regret not getting to see the trees dressed in full autumn splendor... it would've been simply magical.
After driving through West Virginia, we went on to Virginia, were we stayed the night at a friend's house in the country (AND that's were I got to pick up my brand new Canon 5D + 50mm 1.4, but more on that in another post. soon. I promise).

The following morning, I woke up at 5:30am... to this. I literally stared out my window for about five minutes before sneaking out to capture it all. The photos above do not give this scene even half the credit it deserves. Words cannot describe this wonderful fresh feeling you get standing there. You have to be there, to see the magnificent golden light peaking in through the mist, to breathe in the lovely fresh air, smelling of morning & country & promise. It just makes you feel wonderfully & truly alive.

And it makes you see & appreciate all the little, but oh-so-important precious moments.

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On day two, we headed out from Virginia & passed through North Carolina, South Carolina, & Georgia. They had the weirdest, most annoying two-headed flies in Georgia, by the way. Kinda scary too, actually. Especially when you're not expecting one to land on your arm - & it does.

And then, after two days of driving, we finally reached our destination. Florida. It greeted us with big black storm clouds & torrents of rain... which left us alone after about half an hour. You see, the thing about Florida is, when it rains, it rains hard... but then, it cuts off. Just like that. No warning. BAM... and it stops.

(part 2 coming soon... :)

home

Home. After two weeks of sunshine, salty ocean breezes, squishy sand, & laughter. It feels peculiar, yet also comforting... being torn from the warm hold of summer & dropped right into the coziness of autumn. There is a kind of rightness about it. As sweet & as lovely as summer is, I don't think I could bear it extending all the way into fall. I love September, just as it has always been - chilly, colorful, & shivery with excitement. I love starting the new school year, thinking of the blank pages soon to be filled with words. Most of all though, I love the hope & joy that stirs within me and seems to flow from everything around. The start of this fresh new season of thankfulness & praise, it brings along a sureness, a promise for the future. There will be laughter & there will be tears, but He will always pull us through. And so, the chapter ends & the page is turned. We will never again be able to look upon this summer with fresh eyes, but only revisit it through memories & photographs. And that is as it must be. Let us welcome the months ahead with a cozy sweater & a warm cup of peppermint tea.
Hugs,