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...

Friday, June 14, 2013

Three Very Different Sunrises


SUNRISE on February 14, 2013
As most of you know,  George and I visit  Mt. Nebo State Park in Arkansas at least once a year,  sometimes twice.  We stay in a little cabin on the top of the mountain with a view of the valley below.  One thing we love to do when we are there is to get up early and drive to Sunrise Point and watch the sun come up!!!!!

Today,  I will show you THREE different sunrises on three very different mornings.  One morning,  we experienced some clouds.  Another morning was fog in the valley below, and on another morning,  it was as clear and extremely colorful!!!!   Hope you enjoy seeing our sunrises taken at the same place ---but all very different,  one from the other.   Be sure to click on all photos to see enlargements.

I.  First,  comes the  FOGGY morning  (February 14, 2013)...  There is a bench at Sunrise Point where we can sit and just take in all of that beauty.  The picture above shows the bench ---and also shows the fog in the valley below... It looks like marshmallow cream down there!!!  Anyone got any hot chocolate????  (Hot Chocolate would have tasted good since it was a cold morning.)




Here's a close-up of the FOG below us.  Beautiful,  isn't it?




George took this picture of me sitting on the bench --waiting for that sun to pop up!!!  Except for being COLD (afterall,  it's February),   I loved sitting there gazing at the sky and valley below.




OH MY---Here comes Mr. Sunshine!!!  See it?    Oh Wow!




And here is Mr. Sun--showing all of his glory and majesty...  Anyone who doesn't believe in God has never experienced a sunrise!!!!!!   Awesome!





SUNRISE on February 15, 2013
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II.  Here is another morning that week (February 15, 2013)---with very different --but quite interesting results...  Here comes a morning with lots of CLOUDS around.   See how different it looks????




Clouds do make for a very interesting sky,  don't they?????  Like I said,  it's quite different---but beautiful in its own way.




When we finally got a hole in the clouds,   George got this picture of Mr. Sun ---peering at us through the clouds... Not a typical sunrise --but pretty, nevertheless!!!





SUNRISE on February 12, 2013
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III.  This was the best day for beautiful colors in the sky.   This sunrise was one of the most gorgeous ones I have EVER seen.  Hope you enjoy the photos.  The picture above was what it looked like when we first got there... The town below (Dardanelle, Arkansas) was beginning to wake up!




The sky just got more vivid ---and you can see the reflections on the water below.




Look at all of the colors in the sky...  (And this is not photo-shopped.  It is straight out of the camera!!! All of my photos are, since I seldom touch anything up.)   Amazing,  isn't it!  Thanks be to God for our beautiful world.  If we humans would only learn to take care of it!




Here she comes!!!!!  "You are my sunshine --my only sunshine."  (Don't know why sometimes I think of the sun as being a 'he' and sometimes a 'she'..... ha ha )




Finally,   that glorious sunshine appears and we can begin another day!!!!! WOW!!!

I am so blessed to get to sit on that bench and see those beautiful sunrises.   Our home here in Tennessee is between mountain ranges --so it's hard to ever catch a nice sunrise or sunset from here.   SO---as much as I don't like to get up REALLY EARLY,  seeing a sunrise like this makes it all worthwhile.  Thanks be to God for all of the beauty that surrounds us.

Hope you enjoyed all three mornings of sunrises.   We also saw sunsets (from our cabin) --so that post will come at a later time.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend --and don't forget to get out in nature and do some walking!!!  It's good for all of us!

BLOG BREAK:  We're going to take a couple of weeks off from blogging...  Lots of 'stuff' going on here.  Hope you are enjoying your summer so far.  We should start blogging again on July 1st.  I will be checking email and Facebook --so you can keep up with me that way if you want to.

Hugs,

75 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

Betsy, these are FABULOUS!! I started with my favorites, but then found here were to many to number! I LOVE the marshmallow clouds!!!! Four and five and the one where you see the city in the valley below, ALL stupendous!!! So today, you really ARE my sunshine, my only sunshine!

Ms. A said...

That second one, with the fog, almost looks like you're looking over the ocean!

Twilight Man said...

All the skies are lovely in myriad colors. Nature is always beautiful. You are lucky girl to sit on the bench to relax and watch the world go by.

Linda P said...

A blessing to see such wonders, Betsy. Have a lovely time whatever you're doing.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i just can not pick a favorite. sunsets are great! mindblowing!! all so lovely.

enjoy your break. ( :

eileeninmd said...

Betsy, what a beautiful series of sky shots. They are all lovely! Happy weekend to you!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Beautiful photos.

Sunrises and sunsets always seem glorious to me. One is a beginning of a day the other the finishing touch to the day.

Enjoy your time off.

FlowerLady

From the Kitchen said...

I love to be up before the sun! Sometimes I take my coffee out on the porch to watch it come up. As George can tell you, there are no mountains in this area but sunrise is still beautiful. I grew up watching it rise over the mountains!! I especially love the photo of the sun rising over that just-awakening little town.

I hope all is well and will "see" you after your blog break.

Best,
Bonnie

Arkansas Patti said...

All are breathtaking but that foggy one was mesmerizing. Also liked the one showing the town below coming to life. Someday I will make the trip down there.
Have a great break. See ya when you get back.

Sharon said...

Loved this post. I shall have to do a similar one from my "home" in Florida next January. I don't even have to get in the car. Just walk ten steps out the back door down to the beach to see the most amazing sunrises.

Unknown said...

These pictures are gorgeous, seems to be a very peaceful place :)

linda m said...

All of the pictures are breathtaking. God certainly knew how to create beauty. Worth getting up early for.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Oh my, I love that picture of the fog!

imac said...

Fab skies there Betsy, nothing better than sunset or sunrise is there.

Janice K said...

Wow! Beautiful sunrises and sunsets often remind me of "life." We usually don't like to see the "clouds," but they seem to add color and depth and perspective and make us aware of just how much we need our Lord and how awesome He really is.

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Lovely photos, and how wonderful to gaze upon such beauty everyday.. YOU live in a very beautiful place. Hugs Judy

Annie Jeffries said...

Gorgeous, Betsy. I'm very partial to fog so the foggy valley picture really stood out for me.

Betsy, we will be in Missouri on the river for about 10 weeks next spring. We'll be just across the river from Dyersburg, TN. Are you anywhere near there?

Donna said...

These are beautiful! I hope you enjoy your break!

Miss Debbie said...

Beautiful! Our God is very creative, isn't He??

MadSnapper said...

enjoy your blog break. and that fog shot is awesome

Catherine said...

Enjoy your blog break Betsy!
I hope you enjoy lots of pretty sunrises!
xo Catherine

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

What a wonderful place you have found there at Mt. Nebo. These are all beautiful, but my favorites are the close-ups of the fog and the clouds. Those are just magical.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Each of these sunrises has it's own unique beauty. I love the heavy fog in the valley,but I also like the intense colour in the last one.What a mighty God we serve!

DeniseinVA said...

Magical photos Betsy, I especially loved the one of you sitting on the bench looking at that gorgeous scenery, and the one of the fog, and the sunset, so many beautiful photos it is hard to choose a favorite.

Wishing you a great day,
Denise
An English Girl Rambles

amanda said...

Such a beautiful post, I particularly love the photos of the fog!! But I'm sure I would have loved the warmth & magic of the sunrises most in person - I can just feel that sun coming up & shining!
Enjoy your break!

Sylvia K said...

These are awesome captures of some gorgeous skies, Betsy!! The shot of the fog is amazing!! Hope you and George have a great couple of weeks! Enjoy!

Terry and Linda said...

Those are all just stunning!! I love the sun in any form!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
¸.•°❤❤⊱彡

Chatty Crone said...

I've seen a lot of your beautiful pictures, but Betsy - you sitting on the bench - looking out towards the view - is one of my favorites even. That should be a postcard to buy!
Have a nice two weeks off.
sandie

Joy said...

Amazing hads painting of God. Have a nice break:)

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Hi Betsy

Wonderful set of shots and you have captured them very well. great memories. Have a great rest and come back soon to blogging. Margaret

Betty Manousos said...

oh, wow!

such amazing skies! love all of these photos they are all just perfect!
thanks for sharing these very different sunrises. the photo of the fog is exceptional, too.

have a great weekend~

Ann said...

All three are wonderful but the one with all the sun sure is spectacular.
Enjoy your blog break and I'll see you when you get back

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, I sure love sunrises! Have a wonderful blog break time.

Linda G. said...

Your sunrise pictures are lovely! Enjoy your blog break.

Connie said...

Such beautiful sunrises and sky photos, Betsy. They are such a gift to us, I think. Enjoy your break!

MTWaggin said...

The picture of you is my absolute favorite!

Sally Wessely said...

You really were rewarded for getting up early! I think I miss the best part of the day by not getting up to see the sun rise. I should change that.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Love the sunrises. When we travel, we like to see the sunrise too. Who wants to miss the world waking up when you have the time to enjoy it!

Marie said...

I love the fog! I love all of these!!! So pretty! I would be happy just sitting there and taking it all in. :)
Enjoy your break! You will be missed!
hugs,
Marie

Anonymous said...

A wonderful set of glorious shots!

Enjoy your break.

BlueShell said...

wow, I say
I Love your Photos
Xoxo bshell
blueshell.azurara.net

diane b said...

You seem so high up there. The sunrises are beautiful and bravo for getting up so early on a cold morning to soak up the majesty of the sun rising. The foggy ones are surreal and the best one is you watching over the valley with the early sun lighting up your face. Enjoy your break. I'm sad that you'll miss the rest of my trip to Far North Queensland but hey thats the way the cookie crumbles. I hope all is well on your side of the earth.

Shug said...

Isn't it amazing how God paints a different canvas everyday? Great photo of you sitting on the bench, enjoying all that nature has to offer. This sure looks like a beautiful place.
What are you and George up to today? You two amaze me..
Hugs
shug

happyone said...

Such awesome beauty!!
I always think of sunrises as God saying Good Morning to us all. : )

happyone said...

Me again. Forget to say enjoy your break and have a great time. : )

Jeevan said...

Wow! Just breathtaking view and truly stunning sunrises... loved the spectacular one at last. The colorful sky is quite a visual treat. Watching sunrise or set from the edge of mountain is an experience and I never had such vivid sunrise in my life.

Have a great time Betsy and hope u enjoy as well your break. Take care

Busy Bee Suz said...

All different, but gorgeous. Isn't it amazing that Mother Nature puts on that beautiful show day after day???
XOXO

Farida said...

All were artistically taken. I even enjoyed looking at the foggy photo. But I love sunrise. It is tantamount to hope and new beginnings.

Have a great week, Ms Betsy!

Small Kucing said...

The second photo is like snowy slopes...

of all the photos posted here, i like the 1ast sunrise the most.

wow you are going on a trip? well, have a terrific trip and snap more photos for us :)

Regards
Kathy
www.smallkucing.com

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

All just gorgeous- one of these days I'm going to drag my husband up there..it's not that far. Have a nice break!

troutbirder said...

Wonderful sequences. I really enjoyed them....:)

Janie said...

All of the sunrise pics are just beautiful, Betsy. I love sunrises and sunsets. Seems like they're always a little different, and always lovely in their own way.

Jeanne said...

Amen! God is great as seen in these sunrises! My favorite is the second one with the fog. I've always wanted to live in a place where I could see the sunset and sunrise every day. It's just a short drive for me to see both - I just need to get out at the right time and take my camera with me. :)

Rose ~ from Oz said...

Hi Betsy and George, I've been so awfully slack lately, and I'm finally catching up on my fav blogs! Well what a treat I got here dear girl! The sunrises are spectacular and looking down over that foggy valley was definitely spiritual. Totally, totally awesome shots Betsy.
xxx
PS: have a great break, rest up!

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

Hope you're enjoying your blog break. Those sunrises are beautiful. Whenever we go visit my mom in Charleston, SC we always try to run out to the Isle of Palms at least once to catch a sunrise. There's really nothing like it, is there?

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Betsy, hope you are enjoying your break! I have a feeling I'll be taking a lot more of them myself. There are so many things I need to do and places to go, too! :)

The sunrises are just wonderful. You take the most fabulous photos! I'm not one to get up very early, so I' sure I miss out on many beautiful ones. We are blessed to live in a good spot to see both nice sunrises and sunsets, depending on the time of year. I so enjoy them.

I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but Mt. Nebo is on my bucket list!

We're heading down to the Branson area Friday for a few days. Hope to see some things we haven't taken time to see before now.

Take care and have fun on your break!

Pat Tillett said...

So many different looks, and all of them are beauties!

Dee said...

Dear Betsy, first, I'd like to apologize for not having posted for quite a while on this blog of yours. I've bookmarked all the blogs I follow and for some reason, I bookmarked yours on May 3. (I think it was the 3rd. Early May) And so whenever I returned to your blog, May 3 always came up and I thought you were taking a vacation from blogging all this time. I've missed so many of your photographs and your visits to parks.

Thanks for these lovely and evocative photographs of three sunrises. I found the first set with the fog cover so amazing. Peace.

Neal said...

Wow....you got some beautiful shots.

Grandma Bonnie said...

Amazing photos. I see what you mean in the beauty of each sunrise being different. I hope you have a great blog break.

NatureStop said...

Betsy, so see those sunrise I can always wake up early:)Every sunrise is unique and you captured it so well...thanks for sharing!I just wanted to mention and my latest post has a few waterfalls and that when we saw them I really remembered you:)Have a great weekend!

Shantana

From the Heart said...

Beautiful pictures. What an amazing God we serve. Without Him I would not be here. Thanks for sharing.

From the Heart
AliceE.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

So peaceful looking as you watch the sunrise....Enjoy your time off...blog when you can

Andrea said...

Sunrise like sunsets are all different, and they really change by the second. Our home in the province has sunrise overlooking the bay, and my condo in the city has the sunsets, so I am blessed too, because i don't have much to spend going to places like yours, haha!

One thing that perplexed me is the distinct difference or margin of the colors of the horizon, i observed that too in the Mediterranean, very different from what i observed here in my country.

Mary said...

Wonderful sunrises! Love the fog shot.

Ramakant Pradhan said...

Fabulous pictures. So much difference across 3 days. Love the colours of the last one but love the fog in the first one :)

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Betsy,
These sunrise photos are fabulous. I love the bright colors. Yes, these awesome scenes testify to God. I hope you have a good time taking a break from blogging.

Unknown said...

these pictures of the sunrise just looks so amazing! i really love it and thanks so much for sharing
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Small City Scenes said...

I love it when the sun just POPS up like that. All the colors are just gorgeous and so are the photos. Ya done good!
I am back blogging finally---the blues are gone away.

Mike's graduation was perfect. The old smarty! MB

A Colorful World said...

Truly beautiful sunrises, and all so different! Such color and clouds! I know how great sitting on that bench to see the surprising sunrises must be!

Hootin Anni said...

I haven't been checking my blogroll for a while so I'm late here. But, I do hope the two of you are enjoying your summer break.

Nancy said...

Betsy, these are amazing. You and George share the beauty of God's creation with us and I am so blessed....

I hope you are having fun on your break....

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

Each sunrise is a blessing and we never know what a new day will bring. I am loving your header with all those beauties blooming!

Pranavam Ravikumar said...

Wow.. Lovely pics..! Every sunrise is a beginning. A new day, a new thought, a new path. Hope you are fine and enjoying your days. My prayers. I peep into your blogs when ever i get time. Bit hectic these days due to work. Now a banker in Kerala (God's Own Country).

Did you ever been to India?

Good days to you!

Connie Arnold said...

Your photos are fantastic and breathtaking, Betsy! How can anyone see that awesome beauty and not recognize that God is the artistic creator of all?