Nature: Bartram Forest

I'll probably be posting quite a few pictures of this beautiful forest right by my house here in Georgia. Bartram Forest used to be a maintained area, but they lost funding and now the Military College apparently uses it for some training exercises, but it is still open to the public. There are miles of trails, gorgeous woods and seemingly endless pine trees (there's logging in the area). It's nice to have a little slice of paradise so close to home. These photos were taken in early October, on a particularly warm day.

This is a teeny lake in the middle of the area, very picturesque. There's a picnic area just to the right of the lake.

 

I'm a sucker for sunlight through the trees. It feels so much like fall to me (even though fall happens so differently here in Georgia than it does in the midwest).

 Doesn't this path just beg to be explored? And we did! (And got a bit lost, we ended up turning around because we didn't know when the trail would end).

 

Sorry that this post is so late. I have been swamped with Grad school stuff lately. A large research paper that I (finally!) finished (at least a good draft) tonight that's due after Thanksgiving. So I let myself have the treat of writing up this post.

And another GORGEOUS photo of that sun through the trees. We saw some people in hammocks right around here, and slung ours up after our long walk (we have ENO hammocks, I highly recommend them for adventurers).

I can't WAIT for Thanksgiving, I'll be heading down to Louisiana to see my mom's (giant) family, Brandon in tow. It should be really great, and I'll be sure to take some pictures of the incredible scenery to be had down there. I want to do a food post soon, too, and (hopefully) a craft post once I get going on my friend-gifts for this Christmas (yikes, it's sneaking up on me!).

Hope you enjoyed the pictures!

Nature: Escarpment Trail

So, to start out, I'll take y'all on a tour of beautiful places I've been dying to share! These pictures were taken in Michigan's upper peninsula (the u.p.) right up against Lake Superior in the Porcupine Mountains. These particular photos were taken on Escarpment trail, which is right off one of the main highways through the area. The trail goes all the way around Lake of the Clouds, but after a beautiful 20 minute hike through some hilly woods, you arrive at this view!

 Here's me!

And my wonderful boyfriend, Brandon.

You continue walking up these amazing brownstone rocks and round the corner for a view of the lake.

 And of course it was a beautiful place for some yoga

Here's the lake (in 3 parts). 

Lake of the Clouds is really amazing. You can drive right to a viewing area within the state park. But this view is way better. Plus, it really feels like you're the first person ever to visit this amazing place. We came here twice within a week! Which wasn't our plan, but we really couldn't get enough of this view. Truly incredible. If you love nature and want to visit somewhere beautiful (and never too hot!), GO to the U.P. for the summer. It's full of incredible treasures. More to come later!