Just on the other side of the guard rail

Joelle and I absolutely love being outside every moment we can. Whether we are hiking, eating our meals, or doing a little impromptu yoga, being in Mother Earth's sweet embrace is the goal. Spending time in nature reminds us of what is real, what is important, and recharges our batteries to better deal with life's daily challenges. 

Joelle took pictures while I chatted with a fella about his outboard motor.

As we made our way along the coast of North Carolina, we decided to check out this cool place that Joelle, the ultimate navigator found. Having spent last night on an island, she thought it would be fun to stay in a treehouse on the return trip next week. After our "Camp Meth Lab" experience, we thought it would be wise to get a preview.

Perched along the Cashie River, are these charming little dwellings, built among the treetops. You can either pack in along the walkway suspended above the river, or dock your canoe beneath.

After a brief stop, it was back in the van to continue the trip north. How many of you have traveled along the 95 corridor and seen the signs for the Dismal Swamp? How many of you have thought, "Gee, that sounds like a beautiful place to visit."?

I will admit, we stopped at the Dismal Swamp quite by accident. We were looking for a place to pull over and have lunch. When we got out of the van, look what we found! A beautiful canal, and a serene place to picnic. Completed in 1805, the canal runs 22 miles from Deep Creek, VA to South Mills, NC, connecting the Chesapeake Bay and the Albemarle Sound. It was dug completely by hand and took 12 years to complete.

After a peaceful lunch, we took a little walk. I've never seen a blossom on a pine tree before. There are a million hidden gems just on the other side of the guard rail.