Redbuds bloom on the Dogwood Trail (click on any image to enlarge)
I am delighted to submit this post from April 2020 for this week’s Sunday Stills Challenge. Please use this link to view Terri Webster Schrandt’s blog Second Wind Leisure Perspective. Her post on plant life features some amazing photographs of flowers and plant life in the upper northwest.
In March, we decided to cancel an RV trip to the west coast. It was well-planned and eagerly anticipated, but suddenly overtaken by the virus pandemic. Helen and I were (and remain) very disappointed, but we were not alone. RVers all over the country experienced the same disappointment. Some RVers, particularly full-timers, lost their camping spots when campgrounds closed and left them to seek sites elsewhere. Hopefully, those poor souls managed to find a port in this storm.
At the time, I vowed to make the most of the circumstances and pledged to do several things—some inside the Corona Cave, but most away from it. First, I promised to continue toward my goal of losing 25 pounds. I accomplished that goal last week and will stay on a maintenance program until the chocolate cravings subside.
Second, I promised to dedicate at least two hours a week to exercise. Our classes at the local YMCA shut down, which was almost as disappointing as canceling our trip, but there are numerous ways to work-out, and a few of them made it into my daily routine. My bicycle left the attic for the first time in over a year. I put it to good use and had a delightful time on a lovely spring day.
Because I am determined to improve my camera skills, I made a third vow to use this time to learn as much as possible about the equipment I have and the tools available to novice photographers like me. Suzanne, of Picture Retirement, sent me a link to an immensely helpful video and got me started. Ingrid, of Live, Laugh, RV, suggested another series of videos that proved very useful in learning more about my new camera, a Lumix DMC-FZ300. As a result, I have devoted time to study and learn almost every day since we canceled our trip.
Oh, I also promised to clean, stain, and seal our woefully neglected deck, but Helen helped me with that. Thanks, Honey!
Every year at this time, our region comes alive with blooming flowers, shrubs, and trees, and we celebrate the arrival with our annual Dogwood Arts Festival, an event that began in 1955. Artists from this area and beyond come to have their works judged and showcased for all to see. Musical artists are featured as well, and performances take place in almost every venue in Knoxville. In addition to art and music, our blooming plants take center stage on the many Dogwood Trails across our city. Festival officials encourage visitors to drive along the designated trails and view the blooms.
Unfortunately, the Dogwoods Arts Festival is primarily a virtual event this year, but the Trails remain open. I decided to combine a couple of my recently pledged pursuits and spend a day walking the trail for exercise and taking pictures of the gorgeous spring flowers on display. I have shown a few of them here, both above and below. Some pictures are better than others, but, hey, I’m still learning.
Helen and I walked one of the featured trails, the Sequoyah Hills Trail, several times in recent days. We maintain proper social distance from other visitors since we’re on the endangered species list. The flowers are astounding and made for a beautiful experience on each visit. I love azaleas, and they did disappoint this year. The tulips are as beautiful as ever and, the cherry trees have so many blossoms, the limbs bow under the added weight. A beautiful Wisteria also fluffed up its purple stuff for us.
As the name suggests, Dogwoods also live on the Dogwood Trail, and ours are out in abundance. We have had some warm weather recently and some of the Dogwoods are past their peak. This makes for some tricky timing for Dogwood Festival organizers. Helen’s Dad once served as chairman of the event and he felt that if the date of the festival was around the 15th of April, festival-goers would always have Dogwoods in bloom. This year’s festival is scheduled to begin April 24th, and finding blooming trees could pose a challenge. Nevertheless, the Trails are open, and I’m happy to be walking them.
We observe Easter this Sunday and I am reminded of the Legend of the Dogwood as I stroll along the Trail. Most readers know this story but I want to post it here. Dogwoods are a species that grows primarily in the south and some may not be familiar with the Legend.
The Legend of the Dogwood Tree
Author Unknown
When Christ was on earth, the dogwood grew
To a towering size with a lovely hue.
Its branches were strong and interwoven
And for Christ’s cross its timbers were chosen
Being distressed at the use of the wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:
“Not ever again shall the dogwood grow
To be large enough for a tree, and so
Slender and twisted it shall always be
With cross-shaped blossoms for all to see.
The petals shall have bloodstains marked brown
And in the blossom’s center a thorny crown.
All who see it will think of Me,
Nailed to a cross from a dogwood tree.
Protected and cherished this tree shall be
A reflection to all of My agony.”
With all that’s going on around us in this most unusual time, the Dogwood, and the cross represented by its blooms, reminds us of where to look for hope, strength, and brighter, better days ahead.
Happy Easter everyone. We’re on the trail…just Easin’ Along.
Knoxville in the spring is a special time indeed. Thanks for sharing those terrific photos.
Hello, Dynamo,
Great talking with you yesterday. We’ll have to schedule a meet-up as soon as this mess lifts. Have a Blessed Easter weekend. Joe
Joe, these are some beautiful springtime photos, just in time for Easter. What a beautiful sight. My favorite is the Blooming Cherry – the composition which includes the blue sky and clouds is perfect. Thanks for the mention. Happy Easter and be well.
Hello, Suzanne,
Thanks for the kind words. Your video really was a good one. Also, I should give you credit for the “endangered species” quote…that was too good to pass up. Stay well down there. Joe
Suzanne, I was going to tell Joe that I loved the “endangered species” remark, but I see the credit goes to you. It’s a great line, and it started my day with a smile.
HI Joe,
Lovely photos of the trees, and -along with Easter- a reminder of renewal. Need that right now. The world is an uncertain place in the best of times and we are being given a big reminder of that just now. The beautiful blossoms remind us that this, too, shall pass.
Have been holed up in Florida, with the great personal disappointment of our son’s wedding being disrupted by Covid 19; they were meant to be married tomorrow. Hoping for August, but we shall be watching”the curve.”
My brother “the doctor” and Navy reservist has been called up and is on the front lines, at ground zero treating folks at the Javits Center in NYC. Say a prayer for his safety if you would.
I’ve been distracted by all the events, sewing masks instead of blogging…I imagine I will get back to it eventually…
Nancy,
Great to hear from you. I got a bit worried and sent you an email just to make sure you are doing well since we had not heard from you in a few weeks. I know you’re disappointed about the wedding plans. My daughter-in-laws family had the same disappointment with her brother’s wedding in CA. Will say a prayer for your brother. Although I retired from the Army Reserve a long time ago, I received an email asking if I had medical skills and would volunteer. I don’t but I am so very grateful for those who do. Stay well down there and please stay in touch. Joe
All those flowers make me smile. Love, Love, Love those trees in bloom. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the mention. Hope you enjoy that camera as much as I do. It’s the perfect travel camera IMHO.
Good morning, Ingrid,
I am loving the camera and have watched several of the videos you suggested. I actually had Graham’s book, but the videos are much better so, thanks! Glad you enjoyed our trees and flowers. Something new and different comes out every day now. It’s fun. Stay well and stay in touch. Joe
Beautiful pictures and beautiful message of hope!
Hi, Cammy,
We just finished watching the Good Friday service online. This service always stays with me for a while. People are loving your Jack on FB. Have a Blessed Easter. Joe
Happy Easter to you both!!! Praying this virus is gone soon and you will be “on the road again” Love your travel stories and pictures!!!
Hello, LuAnne,
Thanks so much. Have a Blessed Easter weekend! Joe
Congratulations on your very successful goal completions. During this time of isolation, I’ve had tons of stuff that I thought that I would do — but I never seem to get around to doing! 😀
Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos. They definitely shout SPRING!
Wishing you and Helen a happy Easter.
Good evening, Donna,
There is such a thing as spring fever. I may have got ahead of it, but I’ve slowed down this week and managed to push a few projects down the “do list”. Spring is busting out all over in East Tennessee and I love it, but, every year, it seems too short. That’s a good reason to go out and capture it with my camera. Wishing you and Richard a Blessed Easter weekend. Joe
Congratulations, Joe, on achieving your weight loss goal!!! Good for you – 25 pounds is quite a chunk of change. Your photos are lovely and are making me wish we were just a few more weeks down the road toward beautiful blooms. (We had snow showers on and off all day yesterday, and the wood stove is still going.) The wisteria – I’ve never seen any more gorgeous than that! It seems that you and Helen are making good use of your time at home. Stay safe and take good care of each other. Easter blessings to both of you and your family!
Good morning, Mary,
Thanks for the kind comments. I’m at 25 down and holding. It’s not easy while sitting at home and staring at all the chocolate that Helen keeps around, but so far I’ve managed to resist. Snow showers!?! Wow! But, you know, I might trade a few blooms for one more chance to sit by a wood stove. Enjoy, you’ll warm up soon and maybe even go RVing before long. Great to hear from you.
Thank you for the beautiful photos of God’s creations! I miss all the dogwoods and the mountains. I used to live in Sevierville, but now live in Northeast Alabama. I thoroughly enjoy all your RVing stories and travels. My husband is an Army retiree and I’ve been trying for years to get him to do more camping travels and trips. Thank you for giving us ideas of where to go. Keep up your blog! Love it!
Good morning, Pam,
Thanks for stopping by and for the kind comments. Thanks also to your husband for his service. I know he agrees with me that retired Army is a pretty good gig. Helen and I love Military campgrounds and lodging and use them whenever possible, so I hope you get the opportunity to take advantage. Last summer we camped in Monte Sano State Park near Huntsville, AL and loved it. If you live near there, you’re in a beautiful area. Thanks again for visiting–please come back.
Hi again, first of all, beautiful photos. I love nature and being among the flowering trees. Congrats on the weight loss and enjoying your Lumix FZ300. That’s what I have and I can capture the moon with it. I know how disappointing it must have been to cancel your trip. We had plans too, but both states, California and Washington imposed the stay at home orders. Hubby used his vacation to work on the house. We bought property north of Spokane, WA, and he hasn’t seen it yet…long story, I’ll probably blog about it soon. I also really loved the poem you shared about the Dogwood tree. It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing that. Our hope lives in Christ indeed.
Terri,
I sincerely hope the California stay-at-home lifts. although we canceled our March trip, we have a second one planned that includes campground reservations near Malibu in September and I really want to use them. My son and grandchildren live nearby. We don’t get to see them often and that’s tough on grandparents. I’m learning all I can about my Lumix during this time, and there is a lot to learn. I may reach out for some guidance before the next full moon. Your photograph was awesome. Glad you enjoyed the Dogwood poem. Hope and faith will get us through this. Again, thanks for visiting Easin’ Along. I’ve made many wonderful online friends since my first post almost five years ago. I hope we can stay in touch. Joe
It all sounds good, Joe. I think California will reopen no later than end of May.
Thanks, Terri. That’s the best news I’ve had lately.
Oh, my gosh, your wisteria is gorgeous!
Hi, Jacquie,
I have had many comments on that Wisteria, and I agree that it is amazing. I understand that Wisteria grows slowly, so that one must be quite old. Nevertheless, it is not bashful about showing off. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you’ll come back and join our RV trip. Joe
Beautiful pictures! Hopped over from Terri’s blog and I’m glad I did. I have the same camera… I’d live to check out those links Suzanne and Ingrid sent you… the more I learn about my camera, the better! Your dogwoods remind me of the jacarandas we have in Southern California. I just wrote a post about their incredible violet blooms. I love to see the different plants, bushes, and trees from various parts of the world.
Hi, Janis,
I visited your blog and your pictures are amazing. Your camera work is excellent. I’ll send you the links from Suzanne and Ingrid by email–excellent photographers, both. I had the pleasure of spending a day hiking with Ingrid and Al when we were in Arizona last year and had the good fortune of getting a “walking photo lesson.” We are leaving on a four month RV trip on Saturday and will be in Southern California in September. From previous visits, I know something will be blooming at that time. I hope you’ll come back and join our trip on Easin’ Along. Have a great week and stay dry out there. Joe
Hello Joe, I’m visiting from Terri’s Sunday Stills photo challenge. Thank you for sharing your photos of the beautiful blooms, and congrats on achieving the goals you set out to do. I hope the restrictions are gradually lifted in your state and you feel safe to be out and about again.
Good morning, Natalie,
Thanks so much for visiting Easin’ Along. Tennessee was one of the first states to open up, but we have yet to venture out beyond the supermarket. Helen plays pickleball regularly, but even a virus can’t keep her from doing that. We are leaving on a four month RV trip on Saturday, so we have been careful about staying socially distanced before we go. Hope you’ll come back and join us. Joe
I’m delighted to see and read this post again, Joe! I remembered the legend of the Dogwood tree after reading this at Easter, when I got to see the dogwoods in bloom a few weeks ago. You captured so much beauty with your lens but I bet you didn’t get that brisk walk in with all those photo ops interrupting you! 😉
Hi, Terri,
I forget that you had visited this post at the time I wrote it, so thanks for letting me share it again. You’re right, the walk took a little longer than usual, but it was a beautiful day and any day around blooming Dogwoods is a great one. Great to her from you. Joe