We found Cascade Creek. Until yesterday it was nothing more than a name on the map to us, but miles north of a local lake via a winding road past farms and rural estates it became a destination.
The creek spilled from higher falls and tumbled away through the cedar-scented forest. We hiked and admired, acutely aware of God’s handiwork.
Then we returned to the road and drove farther up the mountain in search of another name on the map, Davis Lake.
Up and up… leaving pavement behind, picking our way along a potholed gravel forestry road until wisdom told us our minivan had met its match.
We turned back before we could find Davis Lake but the attempt was worth the effort. The views were awesome. By the way, that glimpse of lake in the valley below is Stave Lake. Our home is barely five minutes beyond its far side.
Except for a pinpointed name on a map I had no idea where we were going. As I uploaded my photos this morning it occurred to me that our journey was much like some of my novel-writing. I get an intriguing idea, work my way through it and sometimes venture off on a tangent just to see where I’ll end up. There are times when I have to turn back, but in the writing I’ve gained insights that otherwise might never have been revealed.
Just as this summery day brought discoveries to delight the senses, so my writing opens up new worlds to me and brings me joy.
What discoveries have brought you delight in your writing life lately?
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
[Psalm 19:1]
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MUSINGS 
I had a wonderful visit with my mother last week. She talked for hours about her childhood, how she met my father, her marriage, and other subjects that I’d heard many times but still fascinate me. She’s 89 and in poor health, so I wrote down many of the things she said in case we never have the opportunity for another long talk fest.
From that visit a whole new love story emerged, and I’m having trouble keeping up with the flow. It isn’t her story, but I’m writing it for her. So far I think it’s the best fiction I’ve ever written.
I’m excited for you, Carol! What a blessing to find that kind of inspiration. My parents never talked about their past and now I regret not having searched out their stories to pass along to my children.
Carol,
I loved this post. It reminded me of myself, and the way I’ve been feeling. Some days I’m focused in one direction, looking for something specific and end up going somewhere else. What beautiful pictures and a fabulous message!
Hugs
Katt
Thanks, Katt. While this exploration was deliberate, it has parallels every day, doesn’t it? We move from one task to another, intending to do one thing but letting interruptions take us in a different direction. There are times when I think God orchestrates those interruptions, too.
It’s just beautiful, Carol.
Emotion. I know that seems like a contrived answer, but it’s true. Emotion has brought out new things in my writing.
That’s a great revelation for you, Janna. Writing that comes from our souls and not just our minds is bound to be more honest. I don’t always “go deep” when I write, but I know it’s better writing when I do.
I can cry at the drop of a dime these days. I cry over commercials! Animals, pets, anything related to babies. I know it’s the age I’m at but I’m looking out at our lake and feeling teary.
Your posts are so beautiful. You and Katt continually amaze me. I’m sitting at a blank screen this morning with no idea what to blog about. Every time I try to pull something out of this head, it ends up sounding so corny. I think that’s why I stick to writing issues. Otherwise I seem to go too much with the emotions. Shish, already I’m rambling.
Thanks for sharing this lovely adventure, Carol.
That’s not “rambling”, Joylene. It’s being honest. Sometimes we have to trust the relevance of our emotions and not worry about sounding corny. What we say may reach out to someone who needs to hear that they aren’t alone in their experience of the same feelings.
Beautiful photos, Carol!
I loved this post. I just wanted to melt into your words.
It seems that. unlike you, I’m not always able to turn back. Perhaps that is why I sometimes find myself struggling, and why I sometimes leave my writing by the roadside. I feel as though the footprints I’ve left behind are set in stone and of course they aren’t. Perhaps I need to turn back more often. Thanks for pointing this out.
Thanks for the kind comment, Laura. It’s funny how, when once the words are down, we hate to abandon them. We revise and rework them but resist cutting them. I might turn back to find and follow a new direction, but I also might simply abandon the effort if the prospects don’t show suitable promise, and I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. I will still have learned something even if I don’t use it on that particular project.
it’s so beautiful–you live in such a lovely and inspiring part of the world.
Thanks, Kelly. The Coast Mountain Range provides a picturesque backdrop for Vancouver and neighbouring areas. I feel like I have the best of two worlds, living in the Fraser Valley but with the mountains on my doorstep.
Thanks for this beautiful and serene post. It was a comfort to read this amidst the busy-ness of my day.
It was a lovely getaway day in the middle of the week. We had an out of town visitor all week and it was nice to be able to show him around.