Soul Spaces 111 – Nature
The waters are running clear in Lee Creek, Devils Den State Park.
Nature has been my go-to place and way to nurture my soul ever since my 30s. During my early thirties, I was fortunate to have the time, money, and health to travel the country in a VW camper visiting National Parks. The two summers I spent hiking and camping in my beloved VW created a lifetime love of nature for me. Right now as I write this post the birds are singing to me from our forested back yard and I see the sun setting from this lovely room I’m renting. It has a west-facing deck to enjoy the birds, trees, and sunsets until the leaves fill in and block the view.
This week I finally got out of town to explore one of my favorite regional parks called Devil’s Den State Park. The name comes from the extensive cave systems and rocky outcroppings. I go more for the water and views from the top of the mountain ridges. The first signs of spring were everywhere with birds singing, redbud trees showing off their early pink buds, understory bushes starting to fill in, and the ephemeral early spring flowers that blossom before the tree canopy fills in.
May you find time to nurture your soul this week.
Peace out, Brad
writing to freedom 
It sounds like lovely times, Brad. Lucky you.
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Thanks Robbie. It was just what my soul and I needed. Yes, I’m grateful for the time to nourish myself.
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I felt the songs of Mother Nature as I read your words, Brad.
Devil’s Den is such a great imagination-kick-starting name.
Have a wonder-filled weekend. Mega hugs!
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Cool. I’m glad she was singing her songs to you. Did you record them so I can hear? 🙂 Hugs and smiles…
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It’s no wonder you found that love of nature travelling in that way at a young age, and I’m glad you get the opportunity to re-visit some of these places – Devil’s Den sounds like a very interesting place to visit.
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Yes Andrea. Those early trips were a real treasure that I hold dearly. I’m most grateful for the memories, experiences, and connection with nature.
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You brought the beauty of Spring right into my living room Brad, and I will most definitely be nurturing my soul Brad..
Enjoy each and every moment out in nature.. LOVED your images my friend
Take care 🙂
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Yay. I’m glad you could share in my soul nurturing Sue. Yes to enjoying more of our moments and lives. Hugs and blessings…
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Brilliant.. 🙂 Keep blending and harmonising 😀
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Thanks Sue!
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Beautiful! I love getting out in nature too. And caves. ❤️🦋🌀
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Thanks Sheila. Then you would love Devil’s Den! 🙂
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I think so too!
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How wonderful that you had that opportunity, Brad, I’d love to do something similar one day! Lovely photos. 🌸 I’m so happy that you have that great place to rent! 😊
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Thanks Julie. I’m really happy with the new place. I hope you get the chance to do some wandering. 🙂
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Loveliness and our national parks are glorious!
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Agreed Cindy. I’m grateful we have them and hope to see more international ones.
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oh how wonderful brad…i’m not sure if i remembered about you traveling around in your camper exploring national parks. i may just have a bad memory, but how cool that we’ve both done that and that we both found it so transformative and nurturing. i’m happy to hear and see that you got out to one of your favorite parks there. lots of love to you!
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Thanks Tania! Transformative indeed. I’m grateful for those experiences and glad to share that with you. Hugs…
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You spent a couple summers in your VW van hiking and camping!? HOW AWESOME is that!? I can totally see you doing that again. Glad you’re having some much-needed outdoor time presently, as well. Happy weekend!
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Thanks Cynthia. Yes it was awesome and I’d love to do it again! I know you have great access to the Smokies and lots of woods where you live.
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I love the picture! The sight of clear water always exhilarates me, as if a glimpse of what a miracle of a planet we live on. Your post was beautiful to read at this time of sunset where I am 🙂
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Thank you PD. I too love sunsets, clear waters, and the miracle of our beautiful planet. I’m glad we could share in the beauty.
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I am glad and grateful too.
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🙂
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beautifully natural retreat, Brad!
since your 30’s, hmmm.
not yet been that long 🙂
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Thank you David. I just found your comment. Well, you clearly resonate with the path of nature and beauty. May we protect and treasure our precious planet.
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Ah, I can feel your serenity, Brad. I agree, nature nurtures us. I remember the first time as a kid (probably 10 ish) when I explored the woods by myself (no one knew I’d left our neighborhood) and spent hours sitting next to a babbling brook, watching a frog jump from lily pad to pad, smelling the fresh green forest, listening to the birds celebrate life. That embedded a love for nature within me for the rest of my life.
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Thanks Pam. What a wonderful memory about sitting by the brook. I spent time by our local creek too. My love with nature really started early, but not a conscious joy until my travels.
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It sounds like you have a strong commitment to feeding your soul with natural surroundings. Way to go. I think it is easy get distracted or to forget what keeps your spirit nourished. You are keeping yourself fed.
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Thanks Ali. I’m aiming to be more consistent about feeding my spirit.
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Sounds so beautiful to be with natural beauty and it’s surroundings one can definitely forget oneself with the birds and everything around. Such a wonderful read, Brad keep on enjoying your freedom.
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Agreed Kamal. The birds, sunsets, and varied beauty of nature are a balm to my spirits. Thanks for sharing the journey.
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Welcome dear Brad and yes absolutely true that is nature at its best
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Happy you are in a good place, Brad! Your feet are solidly on the ground. I feel like you are at home in yourself from all the travels, able to embrace all of your memories and current connections, and that clear river is breath-taking… in the best way. May you always be nourished.
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Thank you Ka. It’s been a long hard journey and I hope to stay grounded in the present. Hugs…
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Sounds incredible as spring changes the landscape…you live in beautiful country!!
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Thanks Kirt. Arkansas has grown on me. Spring is a wonderful time to watch nature come alive again.
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So true – nature is everything, given the opportunity – healer, friend, entertainer, physical nourisher, music, art…everything! xx
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Agreed Harula. Thanks for caring.
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Two whole summers hiking and camping! What rich memories you must have and continue to build. I’m glad you’re still exploring and have a room with a view to come home to.
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Nature is the best medicine sometimes 🙂
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Agreed. 🙂
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So cool to see Devil’s Den State Park. Had a family reunion there once when I was a child, and my cousin and I scampered all over the place and had a great time exploring the caverns. A beautiful park, Brad! Such a treat to explore the natural world…
Peace
Michael
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Agreed Michael. That’s a fun synchronicity that you had a family gathering at Devil’s Den. It’s one of my favorite parks in the region and only 30″ away. peace out….
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Keep exploring
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