Blue Wall Weekly: December 5, 2022

“Is that a bear?  It is!  It’s a little bear!” I whispered in delight to the folks on my boat. 

On this chilly 1st day of December, we were cruising along the shoreline admiring osprey, gulls, grebes, and loons.  We stopped at waterfalls taking time to pause, breathe, and listen.  My wonderful new Pennsylvania friends took videos so they could take home a part of the sounds of Jocassee: waterfalls, birds and leaves clapping in the breeze.  And of course, the sight of the blue sky and bright sun to reflect on and warm their hearts as winter sets in!  Before we headed back to the dock, I wanted to take my friends to one of my favorite places on the lake -- a place where I feel like I am getting a good long hug from the mountains -- a place where I feel like I am waltzing in my husband’s arms as the narrow section of Howard Creek winds to the left and right and left again.  As I am falling in love again with Howard Creek, that’s where I saw the little bear standing on the shoreline.  With confidence in her journey, she jumped in the cold water and crossed in front of us, looking back at us as if saying “are you coming? Jump in and join me!” There is so much to explore, see and feel in these mountains. I wanted to jump in with a resounding “YES!”   Thanks, lil’ bear, for the inspiration! ~Kerry McKenzie, JLT guide

“Life is a journey to be experienced not a problem to be solved”  ~ Winnie the Pooh