Smoky Mountain Night

Camping on Wayah Bald Mountain

Sunset on the Mara

The sun rises over the horizon in the Masai Mara in Kenya.

Acadian Village Church

This little church is part of the Acadian Village, a small 19th-century Cajun bayou community in LaFayette, Louisiana.

Sunset at Ivar's

Perissos Vineyards

Austin Skyline at Night

Sunset at Ivar’s

Last summer I made it up to Seattle for a few days and on the first evening we went to Ivar’s Acres of Clams on the waterfront for dinner. We ate outside and watched the ferry’s leave out across the Puget Sound. I had visited here almost thirty years ago for my first out of town conference and had dinner here the night before I left. If felt great to be able to return for another visit. The food is great if you’re ever in the area too. The setting sun made a great backdrop for this seagull waiting for a little snack.

Appalachian Barn

The best way to see the country is to turn off the interstate and get yourself lost. Bring the GPS or map so you can find your way home, but get lost. It's the scenes on the backroads that are waiting to be discovered by those with the time and curiosity.  Like the backpacker that climbs the backcountry, the road less traveled is where many of the hidden gems are found.  This lonely old Appalachian barn in North Carolina was sitting by the road waiting for us to discover it.