Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Kayaking in Winter


While we were at Little River Canyon near Fort Payne, AL on Valentine's Day (see the previous 3 posts), we were amazed that there were people kayaking on such a frigid winter day. I can only imagine how cold that water was!!!!

See the picture above... Can you see the kayakers???? We took the pictures from an overlook -- far away from them.... NOW---look at the pictures below!!!





Now--can you see them better????? These 300mm lenses are WONDERFUL.




There is one kayaker in the lead---and three following.




Here are the 3 kayakers who were following the leader. Wonder if they knew we were WAY up there taking their picture????? ha



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By the time you read this post, we'll be on the road to ARKANSAS. If you have followed my blog for awhile, you will know that George and I love to go to Mt. Nebo, Arkansas. In fact, this will be our sixth trip. We have a favorite cabin (pictured above) that we rent ---which is on the edge at the top of the mountain. This time of year, we can see the sunset from our back porch. This is like our 2nd home--since we keep going back, and love it so much!!!





Here's one of the gorgeous Mt. Nebo sunsets we hope to see again this week... Mt. Nebo has a Sunrise Point and a Sunset Point. We also hope to see deer and other wildlife. We will do some hiking and see some waterfalls. AND--I'm even taking some bird seed to feed the Arkansas birds!!!!

I'll have the laptop with me ---but we don't know if we'll have internet service on that mountain. SO---we'll probably be back to blogging on March 1st. Our neighbors are house-sitting for us and feeding my backyard birds here.

Have a wonderful week.
Hugs,

74 comments:

diane b said...

Have a great trip and holiday. Is it far away? Hope there is no snow to impede your way. Looking forward to see some more lovely shots of Mt Nebo (we have a Mt Nebo here too) I see you are having fun with the long lens and no camera shake either. Well done.

Valerie said...

I am loving what you are doing with those lenses! Can't wait to see what you come up with on your trip.

Enjoy the peace and quiet and beauty of the "sunrise ... sunset" (Can you hear Tevye?) Come back refreshed and invigorated .. it should be time for spring to start showing up!

Anonymous said...

Those spots of color in the pictures are really neat.

Joe Todd said...

Wow looks like a great spot. I've done some nutty things when I was younger. Now I take photos of people doing nutty things LOL. Can't wait to see your photos.

Reanaclaire said...

Betsy.. do enjoy your vacation.. not to worry about blogging, i will definitely be here when u come back and post up fabulous pictures!

Snap said...

Have a wonderful time on Mr. Nebo!

amelia said...

Again, what incredible pictures!! I want that cabin in my backyard!! It's so lovely and I do remember it from other posts.

The kayakers are very brave, I wouldn't be doing that at this time of year!! well, we couldn't anyway as all the lakes and rivers are frozen!

Janice K said...

Have a wonderful trip.....I'll look forward to seeing more.

Jayne said...

Have a wonderful time there Betsy!

Jo said...

Have a safe trip and a wonderful holiday there, Betsy. Is it my imaigination or where you there last February? Bless you (((Hugs))) Jo

Connie said...

Kayaking in winter! Oh my! That would be too cold for me! Hope you have a great time in Arkansas, Betsy!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Looks like kayaking there is great fun!!

Have a great time in Mt. Nebo!

Catherine said...

Wow ~ it looks like the two of you are having so much fun. What a fun couple you are!

Drive safe!
Catherine

Sunny said...

Have a safe and wonderful trip. I'm looking forward to seeing pictures when you return.
Sunny :)

Bookncoffee said...

Wow, I guess you have to love kayaking to go a cold winter's day. And then hope not to fall over in the water. Beautiful pics and your camera does a good job. I will have to check out Mt. Nebo. I've heard of it but my sub psyche (lol) tells me it has been a long time since I've heard of it. Sounds like our kind of place. Can't wait to hear from you and see your pics.
Hope you have internet connections but I bet there is not any in the cabin. So we'll be waiting. :-)

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

You lucky people.Enjoy your stay at the cabin,and be sure to take plenty of pictures.I am looking forward to seeing and hearing about your adventures. As for those kayakers,I'm glad its them and not me.LOL.
Blessings,Ruth

Busy Bee Suz said...

I have a feeling those kayakers were not looking UP!!!!
Have a wonderful visit...enjoy your views.
Suz

Diane said...

Just looking at those pictures makes me cold...er. Have fun this weekend.

Tipper said...

Love the photos!! Hope your trip is great-can't wait to see the photos you take.

Ginny Hartzler said...

At the edge of the top of a MOUNTAIN? Egads! Well, I do hope you both have a "rockin" good time! Pun intended! I'll look forward to the pictures with the new cameras! Your cabin is cute, sure looks awfully rustic. If you can read this while you are there, I would love to see pictures of the inside!

Big Dude said...

I checked up on Mt Nebo - Looks like a great place.

Diane AZ said...

I'm surprised to see people kayaking in the cold water. Enjoy your trip, looking forward to pictures of Arkansas!

MadSnapper said...

I see those kayaks, and the water is so pretty. i bet their rumps were cold down in that water. love the second home. we had a second home for 17 years until we got all the dogs. ours in right on a beach in Ormond Beach FL. we love all things beaches. have fun

The Retired One said...

How wonderful!!

Loved the kayak photos...that lens is something else!!!!

That little cabin is adorable...hope you both have a great time. Looking forward to your photos of your trip and what treasures you found there to photograph!

SmilingSally said...

I don't believe those people in the kayaks.

Have a great time.

Dorothy said...

I think it's too cold to be in the water, for any reason! Nice pictures though! Hope you and George have a great weekend!!!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Kayaking looks like a fun sport and they are on a fun river, great shots of the rapids.

imac said...

300mm lens really make photography a lot more interesting dunit.lol.
Great shots and I also love that cabin.

Karin said...

Betsy and George have a wonderful time away! Enjoy and I'll be back, Lord willing, when you pop up in my places I visit! Love your photos and can't believe that those folks are doing that in such cold weather. Hugs!!

Glenda said...

Love your beautiful pics of some beautiful places! I really enjoyed your bird photos in a previous blog!

Rose said...

Have fun! Talk to you when you get back, if not sooner.

Nina said...

Have a wonderful time and enjoy each rising and setting of the sun. How amazing all your photo's are. Keep your camera ready so we can enjoy your trip with you. Blessings to you and George. Love and Light, Nina P

carolina nana said...

HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT TRIP,THAT SOUNDS LIKE A WONDERFUL GET AWAY PLACE YOU'VE FOUND. HOPE THE WEATHER IS GOOD WHILE YOU'RE THERE! MARILYN

Cheryl said...

Brrr...we only kayak from May to September, can't imagine what the water temp is there. Your photos are so nice and clear, the new camera is amazing I'd say! Have a wonderful, fun-filled, waterfall-filled, adventurous vacation. Will be looking forward to seeing the photos. P.S. The cabin is so quaint.

Cheryl said...

Brrr...we only kayak from May to September, can't imagine what the water temp is there. Your photos are so nice and clear, the new camera is amazing I'd say! Have a wonderful, fun-filled, waterfall-filled, adventurous vacation. Will be looking forward to seeing the photos. P.S. The cabin is so quaint.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hope you have a wonderful time Betsy and George! Enjoy your get away and computer break!

♥ Pat

Beth said...

Wow, that 300mm lens is amazing, Betsy---I'm having some serious camera envy here! :-) It's still such a challenge for me to sneak up on birds in time to take their picture. I am really looking forward to the all those wonderful photos from Arkansas. I hope you find a little bit of spring there. Safe travels to you and George---have a lovely time!

Mary said...

I can see why you go back over and over! Beautiful place! Have an great time! Lovely sunset.

EG CameraGirl said...

Sometimes I'm amazed at how hardy some people are. Kayaking and cold don't sound like a happy combination to me.

Roses and Lilacs said...

Have a wonderful trip--I know you will.

I would love to try kayaking, but not in February:)
Marnie

Anonymous said...

I think those people have extreme sports & EXTREME SUICIDE confused! If something happened & they were to end up in the water... they'd DIE in a matter of minutes.
But that sure is a beautiful sunset!

Anonymous said...

That sunset is beautiful and the cabin is adorable. Great picture of you, too. It seems I am always telling you to enjoy a trip! You two are like gypsies!

Together We Save said...

Wow - that is one amazing camera! Have a great time on your trip. Hope you get to enjoy some beautiful sunsets.

The Blonde Duck said...

My in-laws are from Arkansas and they're always telling me how gorgeous it is. I hope you have a great time!

The Blonde Duck said...

My in-laws are from Arkansas and they're always telling me how gorgeous it is. I hope you have a great time!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Enjoy your trip to AR you two lovebirds! I know you'll have a fantastic time!

Joy said...

I can promise you I was not in one of those kayaks. brrrrr.

What a cozy cabin. How fun for your two. The sunsets look amazing.
♥ Joy

Jen said...

I'm sure that fireplace will be stoked!
Have fun.

SquirrelQueen said...

Love the shots of the kayakers, it had to be cold down there.

Have a great time on your trip. I'm looking forward to lots of waterfalls and wildlife photos.

RA said...

Wow, kayaking in Winter! I would love to have the 300mm lens. Beautiful shots in this post. Have a wonderful vacation, Betsy. Hugs and love :)

Small City Scenes said...

I know you will enjoy yourselves so I won't even say 'have fun'.

Lovely cabin.

the kayaks are so colorful, aren't they. Hardy souls they are---the kayakers I mean. ha!

MB

A Brit in Tennessee said...

You wouldn't catch me on that COLD river...lol
Great pictures, love the zoom-in shots!
Have a wonderful and safe trip....
we'll be waiting for the pictures ;)

The Muse said...

great job with the new lens...
like a birds eye view, up close and personal!
such landscape...how wonderful of you to share!

Bill S. said...

It may be cold on the outside, but warmeth from the experience makes it bearable.

Tina said...

What a lovely site to visit. I can see why you like to return. Beautiful!
Glad to see you are enjoying your 300mm lens ..you are so right what a difference it makes in getting some great shots from so far away!
Do hope you have a good trip and have great weather!

Unknown said...

Have a beautiful, peaceful, leisurely trip to Mt. Nebo, Betsy. Wish it were me ... Anxiously awaiting your next set of pics.

Have a great eve ...
Hugs, Marydon

Marge said...

Hi Betsy - I hope you're having a wonderful vacation. Is it sunny there? I don't know about you, but if I don't see some sun soon I'm going groundhog hunting!

Dar said...

What a wonderful adventure you are on.... the kayakers must be very seasoned to brave the elements this time of year. Great shots you captured.
Enjoy your time away from all the snow.
Blessya and Travel Safe

Rosa said...

Well hopefully, they were good kayakers and didn't need to get wet! That sunset is gorgeous.

Wendy said...

Those kayak pics are good. I think it would be too cold to be out on the water. Brrrrrrr!

Love your little stone house and that beautiful sunset.

Hope you're enjoying yourselves. Can't wait to see some pics when you get back home.
Hugs

tea time and roses said...

Have a beautiful trip!:o) I love your blog!!

Smiles...

Beverly

Regina said...

Such a fun adventure!
Beautiful capures!
Have a lovely weekend Betsy

penny said...

Thanks for another amazing trip to the mountains, Betsy. Now that we don't travel as much as we use to I really enjoy seeing all of you wonderful journeys.
Glad your having such a nice time in Arkansas. I look forward to seeing you new photos.
be well, be happy :)

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Betsy,
The kayadking looks like a lot of fun. Your camera takes wondeful photos. They are very nice. I hope you and your husband have a great trip to AK.

DeniseinVA said...

Well, I know you and George are going to have a wonderful time Betsy. It looks so beautiful! Enjoyed the kayaker photos too. Have a great time In Arkansas.

Kelly said...

.....that cabin is gorgeous. It's so rustic. I wonder when it was built. Can't wait to see your photos from the trip!

penny said...

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you and George are having the time of your life together.

marmee said...

you two are always traveling somewhere. the river is so beautiful and kayaking in the winter must be a little crazy...but it is better than going crazy with these long winter days.
have fun at your cute little cabin.
happy february.

Shelley said...

I can't believe they were kayaking in that cold water Betsy! I do love to kayak and that scenery does look beautiful though! They were brave! Always love tagging along on your trips! You are giving Greg and I so many good ideas on where to go! Be safe and have fun!
Big hugs to you!
Shelley

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Hello Betsy,

Now that's a nice looking cabin and I can see that it's right on the edge too.

That's neat that y'all have this same cabin year after year...

Have fun and have a safe trip home.

Oh, and thanks for demonstrating the difference between a normal shot and one with the 300mm lens..that is awesome!

Hugs,
Stephanie

Cheryl said...

I so love the header photo!! Its gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

Love the look of the cabin - my husband lived in AR for a number of years and I have been there too. He knows Mt Nebo. It is a lovely state with a lot in common with our NC mountains.

Elenka said...

You two have a wonderful time, Betsy.

The Muse said...

flying by...and had to say hello! :)
hope you are well :)