"A few minutes ago every tree was excited, bowing to the roaring storm, waving, swirling, tossing their branches in glorious enthusiasm like worship. But though, to the outer ear, these trees are now silent, their songs never cease." ~ John Muir A Timely Return It's been a month shy of 3 years since I last posted on this blog. I didn't really mean to be absent this long but one thing led to another and time escaped faster than a kid chasing an ice cream truck! I'm inspired to write and photograph again and it only seemed fitting I restart this on Resurrection Day. It's His creation I love to explore and it's coming to life this month! Let's see what we can find! Put Nature Preserves on Your Adventure List If you are tired of the crowds and the familiar trails of a state park or there isn't one … [Read more...] about Return: To Bring Back To A Former Place
Our Pandemic Spring Walk
'Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.' ~ John Muir Like most Americans, we've been sheltering-in-place at home for 2 months during the Coronavirus pandemic. One way we've not gone stir crazy is to get outside. Last Sunday we spent the sunny afternoon bushwhacking off trail through a local university-owned forest open to the public. The forest is used for research and outdoor labs for courses. At the beginning of our hike we found 10-15 nesting boxes newly installed about 10 feet off the ground. I'm told by a professor in the forestry department they are for a long-term study on flying squirrels. The Wonder of Wildflowers Spring wildflowers were in their glory all through the … [Read more...] about Our Pandemic Spring Walk
Forestry Management ~ Worth the Trouble or Interfering with Nature?
Flatline weather. After a particularly early snow in November 2019, I had high hopes for a robust white winter, full of scenic opportunities to get outdoors. Much to my disappointment, however, it's been record-breaking ordinary and completely grey for months. I call it "climate flatlining." Just dull and cloudy. According to our local meteorologist, you have to go back a decade to find a January as cloudy as last month. Likewise, February is dishing out the same thus far. The Vitamin D drain in my body is almost palpable and I'm longing to feel the least bit of sun soak deep into my skin once again. Landscapes have been rather boring around here to be honest and I'm anxious for something to change. This ugly photo tells a sad story. My husband and I have been land hunting for almost a year. … [Read more...] about Forestry Management ~ Worth the Trouble or Interfering with Nature?
The Roller Coaster of Life
Curve Balls We've had a few "curve balls" thrown at us over the past 4 months, some anticipated and some totally unexpected. Yet, through all the loss and hardship, we are coming out the other side more fulfilled, intentional and more prepared for the next phase of life than we ever have been. This period has changed us and I like the changes. No other time of life has taught me more to not despise the storms of life. The hardships were a catalyst for internal change, bringing greater character, wisdom, love, and grace into our lives and more intentional habits that are producing fruit. Those are all things I need more of and I've come to treasure life's storms, knowing that life afterwards is all the sweeter and richer. 3 in 1 In the span of one month, we lost my sweet mother-in-law, went … [Read more...] about The Roller Coaster of Life
Heading West Part V
In this final part of our 2019 Heading West series, I take you along on our last three stops before heading home after 3 weeks. It all started in the Wind River Range of Wyoming and you can read Part I here, Part II here, Part III here and Part IV here. Recognize this face? I mentioned before that my youngest two children, now adults, had never seen Yellowstone National Park before this trip. They also had never seen Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, so we made a point to stop by. It was an overcast day but it didn't dampen the amazing sight of Borglum's artistry. Gutzon Borglum chose this mountain due to its height (5700' above sea level), the soft grainy consistency of the granite, and the fact that it catches the sun for the greatest part of the day. Did you know the original plan was to … [Read more...] about Heading West Part V