Some pictures from my recent family vacation!

I often forget how different the east coast is from the west. Unless you've lived in both areas, you probably wouldn't understand. Out here in California.. it's more like a desert. Some call it a Mediterranean environment. In the summer, it's very brown. There aren't many trees, even the hills are mostly brown. The sun is really bright too. I can't describe it. And there's very little moisture in the air. 

Out east, at least where I was in Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, there are trees everywhere! And green green green as far as the eye can see. Shrubs and vines and moss and a wide variety of trees. The sun isn't quite so bright and the air is abuzz with insects and saturated with dew.

My mother and sister's cabin in the hills of Eastern Tennessee was such a peaceful charming place, surrounded by trees. At night the katydids chirped so loud you could hardly talk! And I even saw some fireflies!!  I spent 3 years living in Gatlinburg Tenn when I was a teenager and all those memories came back!  The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is right there.. and in my opinion, one of the most lush and serene wildernesses I've ever seen.   

Then we drove 6 hours to get to my brother's cabin in West Virginia where we spent a few days relaxing and hunting wild blackberries. (YUM!)  and jumping in swimming holes in the river to cool off. My brother and his family live in Florida but come up to the cabin as often as they can. It's so far off the beaten path that I didn't have cell phone coverage!!   The nearest grocery store is miles away. It's just a very different life than what I'm used to here in the big city. But the cabin is beautiful and we had fun.

I'm glad to be home. I've finally caught up a bit on my sleep and I'm excited to put the finishing touches on Veil of Pearls, due to my publisher on Sept 9th.    My camera ran out of juice about halfway through my trip, but I'd thought you'd enjoy a few pictures. I hope you all have a blessed and relaxing and wonderful weekend. God and family are truly all that matter.

Cody, my sister's dog. He's so much fun!

Me at The Village in Gatlinburg. I worked there as a teenager!

Roaring Fork Creek where we used to go for picnics as a kid

More Roaring fork!

Trees of West Virginia

The swimming hole we found!!