Heavenly Sunlight

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a beautiful drive that meanders for 469 miles from Waynesboro, Virginia to Cherokee, North Carolina.  The Parkway was the result of FDR's New Deal to put people to work during the Great Depression.  There are no billboards or any commercial signs on the Parkway - just gorgeous views of nature and a number of scenic overlooks.  The speed limit is only 45 mph.  This is not a road for those looking to get somewhere.  This is a road to enjoy.  Notice that there are no white lines on the outside of the roadways. This was done on purpose to give the road a rustic, back-roads feel.

There are tunnels along the Parkway and the kids got out to view this one up close and personal in order to look for the proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel."

A Tunnel on the Blue Ridge Parkway

We stopped at one of the many observation points and admired the honeybees busy at work pollinating the wildflowers that decorated the landscape.

A Great Smoky Mountain Bee

The day was gorgeous and crisp for an August day and we remarked about what a difference in the weather here compared with the weather in South Louisiana.

Looking down on our rented mini van

We were at a high point, but Benjamin wanted to get to a higher altitude.  I think the air was thin up there.

Smoky Mountain High

When you are enjoying landscape like this, you truly know why some people call it "God's Country."  In fact when we're in the Smoky Mountains, Tricia always reminds us of Psalm 144:5:

Bow Your heavens, O Lord, and come down;Touch the mountains, that they may smoke.- Psalm 144:5

Here is Benjamin enjoying being above the 'smoke' in the mountains.

Benjamin loved the vacation this much

As we walked back down the trail, the sunshine was peeking through some trees along the path and I did my best to capture the sunbeams.  These pictures really put an exclamation mark on our morning!

Walking in sunlight all of my journey

As we took a picture of the sunlight filtering in along the path, we couldn't help but be reminded of an old hymn that we sing in our church.  Maybe you know it.  I've added the lyrics below, because they just seemed to fit perfectly...

Heavenly Sunlight!

1. 
   Walking in sunlight all of my journey,

1. Over the mountains, through the deep vale;

1. Jesus has said, I’ll never forsake thee—

1. Promise divine that never can fail.

• Refrain:

• Heavenly sunlight! Heavenly sunlight!

• Flooding my soul with glory divine;

• Hallelujah! I am rejoicing,

• Singing His praises, Jesus is mine!

1. Shadows around me, shadows above me

1. Never conceal my Savior and Guide;

1. He is the light, in Him is no darkness,

1. Ever I’m walking close to His side.

1. In the bright sunlight, ever rejoicing,

1. Pressing my way to mansions above;

1. Singing His praises, gladly I’m walking,

1. Walking in sunlight, sunlight of love.