Fire on the Trace

I travel the Natchez Trace between Clinton and Ridgeland, Mississippi, several times a week, and this time of year it is a real challenge to keep my car from wandering off the road. The Trace is literally ablaze with the fiery colors of the Chinese Tallow trees that stretch for miles alongside the road, and it is a breathtaking sight.

Although they are considered a "nuisance tree" by many (my husband included), I love Tallow trees, especially in the Fall. Their translucent leaves shimmer in the sunlight, and remind me of stained glass.

Some people apply that old adage, "If you've seen one, you've seen them all," to Fall foliage, but you will never convince me of that theory. If you look closer at the foliage, you will see that each tree is different ... not only in size and shape, but also in the way light and shadows contrast its colors and the texture of its leaves.

This stunning tree caused me to slam on my brakes and pull off the road until traffic cleared, so I could back up to get a closer look (there's not a lot of traffic on the Trace, thank goodness!).

Now tell me, is that not the most glorious tree!

This coming weekend my husband and I are going to be traveling the Trace to north Mississippi for a weekend getaway, and I look forward to capturing more of God's glory along our journey.