God's country.

Sometimes we forget what a beautiful part of the country in which we live. Sunday (9-5-2010) we went to Mtn. View; the original plan was to meet some family for and early supper, but on our way home from church Chris and I decided we would leave a little early and take the boys to Blanchard Spring just to get outside and enjoy a beautiful afternoon. We didn't get to stay long exploring around the spring, but we plan on going back very soon. Yesterday Lance (my brother) said he would love to go back over and even go through Blanchard Spring Cavern. Chris and Logan want nothing to do with a giant cave, but I love the cave!

I did manage to get a few good shots of my boys at Blanchard, even let Austin take one of Chris and me which will probably be deleted as I am NOT photogenic!

 .They even matched, totally unplanned, I promise

My 3 favorite men... and Chris managed a slight smile...score one for photography history!

Blanchard Spring runs directly out of the cavern, but you can't get into the cave from here because approximately a mile (if I remember correctly) is completely underwater...like a giant tube...and you have to have scuba gear to get to it from here. There are 2 other natural openings, but I much prefer the elevators from the visitors center.

This is just downstream from the spring.  I've always wondered where the old rock steps once led.  I wonder about things like that quite often.  I wish there was a way to go back into history and really know and understand what life was like in rural Arkansas a century ago.  This creek leads to what is now called Mirror Lake.  It's a manmade stone dam that used to house a grist mill.  The mill is long gone, but lake is still beautiful...and deep...very deep...and surrounded by no swimming signs.

A close up of the spring; it's been here thousands of years, oh if it could only share its story with us, what marvelous things it must have seen.

I'm looking forward to fall and cooler weather along with the chance to get out and do a little hiking.  I love tromping through the woods, and the snakes aren't as active in the fall!  While we were walking through the hills of Arkansas, I couldn't help but think of a song I hear all the time on KLOVE (LOVE that station!)  If you haven't heart the song my "My Help Comes From the LORD" by "The Museum" you need to listen to it.  It ranks right up there with "Praise You in This Storm" for me, and that's very high on my list!

My Help Comes From the LORD  (The Museum)

When sorrows come and hope seems gone
You're the rock I rest upon

When waters rise and I can't breathe

You're the love that rescues me

Out of the darkness I lift up my eyes

Unto the hills I feel my faith rise

Maker of heaven, giver of life

You are my strength my song in the night

My refuge my shelter Now and forevermore

 My help comes from the Lord

When I'm broken scarred by sin

Death gives way to life again

When I suffer when I doubt

In you I'm free in you I'm found

Out of the darkness I lift up my eyes

Unto the hills I feel my faith rise

Maker of heaven, giver of life
You are my strength my song in the night

My refuge my shelter Now and forevermore

My help comes from the Lord

Maker of heaven, giver of life

You are my strength

You're my refuge

Now and forevermore...

My help comes from the LORD