On short notice we had a few days vacation, so we got away from it all. It is a beautiful drive from our place through the Cumberland Gap to Hot Springs NC. Hot springs are usually our first choice for taking a respite from the day-to-day. We found a charming cabin and settled in to do nothing except soak in our private spring tub, walk, eat and rest.

Sundance Cabin

Rockers on the porch of Sundance Cabin

I like to make a journal to make sketches on trips. I set my purpose to explore new ways of seeing, expressing, being and enjoying with Greg; no pushing! be joyful! For the first time I brought watercolors. I like to travel light and it seemed like including the components for painting would make the travel kit too heavy. So I had fun paring it down to the bare. The moments I spent painting on the porch were some of my favorites. Greg did a painting of the trees as seen from the spring tub.

Travel Light Paint Kit video by Kathleen O’Brien

Painting on the porch of Sundance Cabin

Page1 of the art book

What was interesting about the cabin was its kindred feeling. The vibe of the place was love, as was verified by the guest book entries. Hearts were everywhere, like on the trail to the labyrinth, and in the book the hostess wrote. I copied some of the meditations she suggested in it. We were there on the equinox, the instruction book for the Chakra game talked about balance.

Labyrinth Trail near the Sundance Cabin

Page 4 of the art book, meditations and the Sundance Cabin book

Chakra Game instructions, balance

Much time was enjoyed simply looking out at the trees from the porch, it was so green. After our drought views, that was true forest bathing. The only open area we experienced was on the trail to Max Patch, with its far views of Tennessee.

Greg in Green

the trail to Max Patch

We have walked on the Cumberland Gap before but it is always inspiring to visit again. Just imagining the thousands of Bison, Native Americans and pioneers who found a low point in the mountains is inspiring. Going there we went up to pinnacle point where we could look down on the gap, and stand in Virginia for a moment. Bel was confused by the view. Coming home we stopped in Cumberland Gap Tennessee and saw the gap as it was first seen.

Greg, Bel and I at Pinnacle Point looking over Cumberland Gap

Cumberland Gap, TN