Saturday, December 21, 2013

Winter Solstice - The promise of warmth.

Today, I joined a group of 32 people on a hike in the Smoky Mountains. It was the annual Santa Hat hike, this time to Spruce Flats Falls. It was only about four miles, but did involve scrambling over boulders. We lucked out on weather - the low 70's throughout the morning and only a little misting rain at the end.
But the falls were worth it. And maybe that's the point - to just keep walking the path because the treasures along the way are worth it. What better lesson on the day when the light starts lengthening again and bringing hope?
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38 comments:

  1. Alice AudreyDecember 21, 2013 at 9:42 PM

    A Santa Hat hike sounds like fun, boulders or no boulders.

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  2. Brian MillerDecember 21, 2013 at 10:09 PM

    nice...that hike sounds fun...and some great views along the way...def cool falls...
    a jazz quartet sounds fun too...there is a new jazz club here that i have wanted to try for some time...

    nice pic of you too...smiles

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    1. Secret Agent WomanDecember 22, 2013 at 7:22 AM

      It was the kind of jazz I like - not too discordant. Nice to sit and have a glass of wine and listen to.

      Delete
  3. mischiefDecember 21, 2013 at 11:10 PM

    Beautiful shot of the falls. And beautiful shot of you, too. Great dress; you look fantastic!

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  4. JocelynDecember 21, 2013 at 11:43 PM

    You wear a dress like no one else, m'dear. Good for you for getting out there and giving all of life a shot. Spirit!

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  5. bettyDecember 22, 2013 at 12:35 AM

    You look stunning! Glad you did go out on that date! How fun with the hike, gorgeous area as always! I do admire you for getting out there and dating; I'm not sure I would be as adventurous to do it (I think I mentioned this before here on your blog too) if I am single again.

    betty

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    1. Secret Agent WomanDecember 22, 2013 at 7:24 AM

      Thanks! I may reach a point in my life where dating doesn't appeal, but I am sure not there yet. I want to be living my life as much as I can while I still can.

      Delete
  6. OlaDecember 22, 2013 at 4:58 AM

    nice to hear that you decided to walk out! You are so slim!

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  7. nickDecember 22, 2013 at 9:29 AM

    Glad you enjoyed the date. I like your sexual honesty! I love the dress too - very flattering.

    The waterfall is fabulous. And that reminds me, must dig out my Santa hat for Christmas Day!

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    1. Secret Agent WomanDecember 24, 2013 at 4:57 AM

      Thank you. I have a few Santa hats around because I take a picture of my kids in them every year.

      Delete
  8. BijouxDecember 22, 2013 at 9:35 AM

    Keep on keeping on........Merry Christmas, if I don't 'see' you again till after!

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  9. WisewebwomanDecember 22, 2013 at 10:02 AM

    Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again. My kind of language. Delighted you enjoyed the date and the fun. All pics are there. Don't know when I wore horizontal stripes last. Maybe I was 12.

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Secret Agent WomanDecember 24, 2013 at 4:59 AM

      It's the only way that makes sense to me.

      (Horizontal stripes actually look better on me than vertical.)

      Delete
  10. Debby@Just BreatheDecember 22, 2013 at 10:54 AM

    I'm glad you went out and it sounds like it was a nice evening. Also how awesome to go out on the hike, I love your adventurous side! Merry Christmas......

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    1. Secret Agent WomanDecember 24, 2013 at 4:59 AM

      Thank you, I'm planning on signing up for more of those hikes.

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  11. Jenny WoolfDecember 22, 2013 at 1:01 PM

    Thanks for dropping by my blog and I'm pleased, in turn, that I have found yours. What you say is so true - doing stuff is the main thing. I find that even the most unpromising events give rewards, again and again. Have a great Christmas!

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    1. Secret Agent WomanDecember 24, 2013 at 5:00 AM

      I always tell my self is that worse case, I won't have fun but it will make a great story for here if it doesn't!

      Same to you!

      Delete
  12. Liz MaysDecember 22, 2013 at 8:12 PM

    Fantastic ending for the hike indeed. I've always felt waterfalls were worth every bit of climb, hike and sometimes stumble.

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  13. AkelamaluDecember 23, 2013 at 10:00 AM

    Good for you.


    Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a Healthy & Happy New Year. xx

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  14. laura b.December 23, 2013 at 7:35 PM

    Way to get back on the horse, so to speak. I adore that photo of the moon.

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    1. Secret Agent WomanDecember 24, 2013 at 5:01 AM

      Thanks - that one required me pulling off on a few side streets until I could get a good view of it framed by tree branches.

      Delete
  15. Bill LislemanDecember 23, 2013 at 9:37 PM

    Hope is a valuable thing to treasure after all those that lose it are hopeless.
    Merry Christmas or whatever.

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  16. christopherDecember 23, 2013 at 10:11 PM

    Good for you indeed. I've heard it said a few different ways...I think it was Arthur Ashe that may have said it best...'Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.'

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    1. Secret Agent WomanDecember 24, 2013 at 5:03 AM

      Or as one of my sons said as a little boy, "I don't care if I win or lose, I just want to have an adventure."

      Delete
  17. kjDecember 24, 2013 at 1:48 AM

    Merry Christmas, cs. I hope you get good presents :-)
    Love
    kj

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    1. Secret Agent WomanDecember 24, 2013 at 5:03 AM

      Thanks. World peace would be great, too, but I'm not holding my breath.

      Delete
  18. SlamdunkDecember 24, 2013 at 7:45 PM

    Ok, so I am jealous that you are hiking in the Smoky Mountains. That used to be a 3 hour drive for me back in the day...

    I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Secret Agent.

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    1. Secret Agent WomanDecember 25, 2013 at 9:40 PM

      Takes me about an hour and fifteen minutes, which isn't too bad.

      Same to you!

      Delete
  19. RonDecember 25, 2013 at 4:41 PM

    Just wanted to stop by to wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS, girl!

    ((((((((((((((( You ))))))))))))))))))

    X

    P.S. Love the photo of the moon. And also, I love that dress you're wearing. It looks faaaaaabulous on you!

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    1. Secret Agent WomanDecember 25, 2013 at 9:41 PM

      Thanks, Ron! Bet your breathing a big sigh of relief to have the holiday over!

      Delete

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