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Come walk with me on this journey through Spring’s awakening in Meadowdale…
We all survive the winter. We eat. We work. We sleep. Knowing, one day, those clouds will break, and we will yet again be warmed by the touch of the sun.
As the earth begins to shed its cold, we crawl out from under the rocks we’ve hidden beneath all winter.
And, then… that first warm day comes. We walk outside, lift our faces to the sky, and inhale deeply. We’ve almost made it.
There might be a few more cold days here and there, but we persevere. We grow. We reach for the sun.
We reach higher. Reawakened.
As the earth warms, we feel born again. Refreshed. A feeling of youth and excitement flow through our systems.
And, then… It happens…
Our spirits burst wide open and erupt with bliss, ecstasy, peace, tranquility. Spring nirvana.
And, then, we embrace the earth for every comfort she is willing to give us.
We run. We explore. We produce. We relax. We live.
Dorothy Stephenson grew up on her family's cattle operation in Meadowdale, located in the southwest corner of Highland County. When she wasn't on horseback helping her father gather and work cattle, you'd likely find her (still on horseback) jumping creeks in her family's nearby "Big Pasture." Today, though she doesn't ride horses much anymore, she has her own cattle, land, and expansion plans for a farm. Additionally, (and with the inherited, Stephenson, entrepreneurial spirit) she owns two small businesses in Highland County - Sundance Media & Design and Sundance Studio & Productions, which houses another of Dorothy's long-time loves - Clogging. Dorothy loves exploring new places, skills, and ideas, and she intends to live life to the fullest as long as it will let her. (Oh! And she LOVES Christmas!)
We've already seen a few snowflakes dancing around in the air. Is this a sign we're going to have a Highland County winter of old? Maybe... But for right now, our mountains are still popping, even on snow-cloud-overcast days! If you haven't made it to Highland to take...
Our Highland County mountains are putting on another show for us this year! Here are a few pictures from local photographers showing our county's current colors! I believe the mountains still have a lot of changing to do throughout the county, so stay tuned for next...
*I recently sat down with Dorothy Stephenson to discuss being a young generational agriculturalist. This is the fourth installment of a four-part series on the subject: Generational Farming in Highland County.* Dorothy Stephenson is among the sixth generation to...
Simply beautiful. Love the Bloodroot.
Beautiful!
Glad you enjoyed them, David! Hope you’re doing well!
Some gorgeous photos!
Thank you, Paige!!!
I simply loved traveling from winter into the bright freshness of spring. Great job Erica and Dorothy!
Thank you, Bonnie Loo! Glad you enjoyed it!