A Walk In the Woods

As time allows, I’ve been doing some exploring around my new home state. Not too long ago I took an afternoon road trip on what I thought was the Natchez Trace. Turns out it was just Old Highway 61, but I didn’t find that out until later.

Anyway, I came upon this cute little old church up amongst the trees and decided to check it out up close and personal.

Rocky Springs Church. Photo by P. Rickrode, August 2015.

Rocky Springs church, circa 1700 something. Photo by P. Rickrode, August 2015

Much to my excitement, the door was open. So, of course, I went in.

Inside the church at Rocky Springs. Photo by P. Rickrode, August 2015.

I imagined what life would be like as a preacher.

View from the pulpit – Rocky Springs Church. Photo by P. Rickrode, August 2015.

In the yard was this graveyard, just beckoning to be explored.

Graveyard at Rocky Springs church. Photo by P. Rickrode, August 2015.

So many babies died.

Headstone at Rocky Springs church. Photo by P. Rickrode, August 2015

Tombstone at Rocky Springs church. Photo y P. Rickrode, August 2015.

After exploring the church and adjoining graveyard, I found this curious path admidst the Spanish Moss:

Path in the woods. Photo by P. Rickrode, August 2015.

Spanish moss at Rocky Springs church. Photo by P. Rickrode, August 2015

It seems I had stumbled upon what had once been the rip roaring community of Rocky Springs.

Rocky Springs, Mississippi. Photo by P. Rickrode. August 2015

I continued along the path until I got to this little bridge, which did not look safe to cross.

Bridge at Rocky Springs. Photo by P. Rickrode, August 2015.

Yes, I crossed it anyway and found what remains of Rocky Springs.

Old well at Rocky Springs. Photo by P. Rickrode, August 2015.

Burned out safe at Rocky Springs. Photo by P. Rickrode, August 2015.

So there you have it, my afternoon walk in the woods, found by mistake while innocently thinking I was traveling the famous Natchez Trace.

How about you dear readers, what unexpected adventures have you encountered in your leisure time? Any surprises uncovered on an afternoon road trip? Inquiring minds want to know.

Word of the Day: Casuistry

Fun fact about me: I love exploring in the woods.

Original post by Jansen Schmidt, September 2015. Original photos by P. Rickrode.

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The Fork In The Road

Photo courtesy Google Images

The road less traveled. The high road. The long and winding road. There are all kinds of roads that we must all travel in our lives. Sometimes we cruise on along, smooth sailing with nary a bump or a curve. Other times we chug up steep hills, or brake down endlessly long inclines, or creep around hairpin turns. No matter the situation, we keep moving. Sometimes we charge ahead full speed, other times we slow down and enjoy the drive. But we always keep moving.

As children we move along these roads hitched to our parents or care-givers, following where they go. As we get older, we are allowed to drive ourselves and make our own decisions with regard to where we will go, which roads we take, and how quickly we move along. But move along we do. Always moving.

Photo courtesy Google Images

Along the highways of life are forks, splits, junctions, places where we must make decisions about our destinations and destiny. Exhilaration courses through us as we weigh the pros and cons of which path to continue down. Sometimes the choice seems easy, especially if we’re not inclined to exert the energy necessary to climb, then we descend.

Photo courtesy Google Images

Sometimes the choice is made for us and we must deal with whatever awaits around the bend. Sometimes pleasant surprises await us, other times, perhaps not. It makes no difference what we encounter so long as we keep moving. We can go around the obstacle, we can climb over the obstacle, we can try to move the obstacle, but we keep doing something to get us farther down the path. Every destination, the end of every path, has a new opportunity waiting.

Photo courtesy Google Images

Not too long ago I came to a fork in my road. I weighed my options and made my decision. I would take the high road, the steep narrow one that would ultimately test my endurance, but certainly offered an abundance of rewards at the end. I prepared for my journey and planned my course, determined to set out fully prepared to conquer whatever awaited me along the path. But then I hit a roadblock. A big one. One that seems insurmountable at times. I’m spinning my wheels. Should I turn around and try the other road? That seems silly since I’ve come so far down this one already and I’m super excited about where I’ll end up. But maybe there are no obstacles on the other road. Both roads lead somewhere. Both roads offer unexplored opportunities waiting to be discovered.

So here I sit, not moving. Not going forward or backward, just staring at the obstacle in the road. I’m stumped. I’ve tried various ways to triumph over the roadblock, but I have been unsuccessful.

Photo courtesy Google Images

I’m not one to give up, but when is it time to concede and either forge a new path or turn around and try another way? I don’t know. I’m still sitting here pondering.

Image courtesy Google Images

What do you do readers when things don’t go quite as planned? When you made a decision only to find it may not have been the best decision? How do you get around roadblocks?

Word of the Day:  Quassia

Fun Fact About Me:  I play a mean tambourine.

Original post by Jansen Schmidt, June 2015. Photos courtesy Google Images.

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