Judy and I like to get out and walk or bicycle virtually every day. It does get more difficult when the weather is cold and wet. I don’t like to get the bicycle wet if I can help it. I have no good way to get it dried out and cleaned up. Then the rust begins to show up.

We have watched a steady progression of rain squalls come through central Tennessee this week. We have been in some really nice state parks, one named after Davy Crockett near Lawrenceburg and now at Henry Horton State Park, near Lewisburg. This one is named after a Governor, (Henry H. Horton, Governor from 1927-1933).

We sit inside and watch the weather radar on the computer. When we see a break in the rain we throw on all of our layers and take off tromping through the damp woods. This park has a really nice nature loop, the Hickory Ridge Loop that wends its way through the limestone sink holes and mixed forest. We got to identify Sugar Maple, Post Oak, Spanish Oak, Eastern Red Cedar, (actually a Juniper), Dog Wood, Hackwood and Persimmon. I will post a couple photos on the web site of one of the sink holes and a gnarly old Maple that has been struck by lightning many times.

The literature indicated that this whole area was a series of subsistence farms after the original plantation and mills were broken up. After walking around the area all I can say is they must have been pretty stubborn people. This area is nothing but layers of limestone rock with a thin skiff of soil over it.

It is really fun exploring the nooks and crannies of this great nation. When we go to Nashville this weekend we will surely visit the “Grand Ole Opry,” a well known tourist destination. But I think I can honestly say that we enjoy a quiet walk in the woods even more. In the last few days we have seen a flock of wild turkeys and many deer including a three point buck. It is fun to watch their white flags dancing through the trees. Then they stop and freeze. They literally disappear right before our eyes. We have also seen hunters cruising the back roads, so we always wear our neon bright yellow-green jackets.

So don’t let the winter weather slow you down. Follow our example and get out and walk every day.

Merry Christmas to all of our friends and relatives where ever you are.

Love from Gary and Judy in Tennessee.