We just spent a week in the Tennessee mountains. Darren was turning 30 and as he has been saying such things to me as “the buttresses of his soul are collapsing” and “his youth is now a distant memory”….I thought maybe he could use a week away in the woods to soothe his sorrow as he faces this new decade of life ;] It worked too.
We spent most of the time tucked away in our cabin but we ventured out for a couple hours each day and wandered through the different shops in town. Then on our last day we decided to drive up into the woods and see what was hiding beyond the edge of town; it was worth the trip.
Just a few minutes out of town and we started noticing the distinct frost line running around the mountain tops and leaving everything capped in white.
We drove up and up the mountain trying to get a better look.
And soon the frosted trees looked more like fluffy billows of whipped-cream clouds than anything tethered to the brown winter earth.
And we learned that sometimes you need to look a little harder to find the places where magic is hidden and winter is sleeping quietly on the snow-kissed mountain tops.
{18 weeks pregnant and feeling a bit like a mountain myself}
Outside Air 
You’re a very beautiful mountain, and my best wishes to you and Darren. And though 30 is a marker in life, You can tell Darren from me, that the best is yet to come. He will just be a little stronger and wiser now… and will be able to enjoy life all the more.
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Thank you, Shimon. And I will pass your words about turning 30 along to Darren—I’m sure he will appreciate them.
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There is something about staring out over the vastness of those beautiful mountains that puts everything in perspective for me.
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Yes, those mountains and woods are quite enchanting and refreshing.
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Just swap two letters and your getaway becomes a gateway, both to a new decade and a new life.
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I hadn’t thought of that but you are right :]
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Gorgeous images, Kari Ann!
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Thank you and thanks for stopping by! I always enjoy your photography so much.
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Everything is sooo beautiful. The photos are so breathtaking.That last one is priceless. Blessings to you.
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Thank you, Alexandria. The snow and mist was so magical…such a fun little surprise :]
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Beautiful place! I hope Darren had a nice birthday. (I’d forgotten he’s almost a year older than me–I’ve been lamenting to Jordan how this is my last year as a 20-something and I’m so. old.)
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I think Darren had a really good time and didn’t mind turning 30 so much after all :] It’s a very weird feeling getting to the end of our 20s but I guess that just means we’re real grownups now, right? ;]
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What a beautiful getaway! I had no idea that winter reached such icy fingers as far south as Tennessee.
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I was really surprised by all the snow on the mountains so far south too!
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The pictures are SO beautiful, especially the last one! 🙂 Looks like a wonderful place to bring in a 30th birthday or any other birthday for that matter. Glad you were able to get away together and relax.
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It was a wonderful vacation; so thankful for the time we had away together.
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