Toadstool /  by Dave Hileman

A few miles east of Kanab, Utah in the midst of the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument is a small trail that is fascinating. The Toadstool might not be the name of the trail, I don’t recall for certain, but it is the name of the rock formations that are found in large numbers across the region. The trail follows a dry water course and then up a steep ridge. In the distant are high cliffs and in the plain that stretches in front of the cliffs are dozens of free standing shapes most of them looking like mushroom fed way too much Miracle Grow. Hiking along the trail led to a saline wash the bright white contrasting with the pink and red of the other stones. Just a cool place to experience a unique environment in the always interesting Southern Utah.

Visual Dictionary: Dappled /  by Dave Hileman

I have no idea why but this has long been my favorite house in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. Cindy and I honeymooned here, visited often and then lived in the area for 25 years. I never tired of walking these streets, any time of day any season of the year. And I was always drawn to the Sign of Rhinoceros and on this day, just after a summer rain storm, the air was fresh and the sun came out and danced with the leaves. Great memory.

Stillness /  by Dave Hileman

Low tide on Frenchman’s Bay in Bar Harbor and the fog muffles the lapping of the water and the creaking of the dock. The boats tilt and tip on the gentle current. Acadia is always special.

Beartooth Highway /  by Dave Hileman

One of the more spectacular highways to drive in North America from the northeastern entrance to Yellowstone National Park to Red Lodge you are often over 10,000 feet with the mountains in the background plus 12,000. The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness area that encompasses the highway is home to bears and big cats and over 900 alpine lakes. Take a deep breath here.

The Friends You Choose.... /  by Dave Hileman

This is my son, Geof’s, 4:30 AM -F3 running group, one of hundreds across the country, in preparation for a marathon coming this fall. After 8 or 15 or 20 miles or so, they stopped and joined in prayer for Cindy. I was deeply moved.

And the friends Cindy and I hold so close have given us enormous support and encouragement and strength by their prayers, kindnesses and presence. The people you surround yourself with determine a lot about how your life unfolds in both the joyous times and the difficult times. Seems like a scripture that goes something like, “Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.” Or as Proverbs puts it succinctly “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.”

Value your friends, choose them carefully and be grateful for each one of them and their collective influence on your life.

This will not be about Cindy’s health every day but I will post about her progress occasionally. We are about three weeks from a treatment regimen and when we have a path forward I will post an update on that part of this journey.

As of tomorrow I plan to get back to my therapy and post photography. I will miss on occasion but should be semi-regular with my posts.

Life Changes Fast - Please Read /  by Dave Hileman

My wife, Cindy’s health, rapidly declined in a few weeks time from hiking trails in the National Parks to struggling to stand. Today marks one week into the hospital experience. She is diagnosed with lung cancer, a complete surprise to us. Treatments begin soon. Her prognosis is difficult. Yet we are people of faith and know regardless of the outcome we are secure in God’s love, grace and mercy.

I am not prepared for reflection at this time but Cindy and I talked last night about how grateful we are for the years we have shared, the effort to make occasions like birthdays and anniversaries special and the family and friends that surround us. Traveling and enjoying one another’s company in every day little events mean even ordinary days are a joy. We also talked about the future and the challenge it brings. If you are someone who also values faith, I would appreciate your prayers for this amazing lady.

In the ten plus years of this blog there has been a photo posted every day, that is not going to continue at this point. Right now I am too tired, too stressed and way too busy. I will post randomly but not consistently. In fact, this post will remain here all week as many people who read TLT only do so occasionally.

Cindy on a trail four months ago.

Dock /  by Dave Hileman

Right now I cannot recall the details - took on our S/W trip, I will share more later. Life is difficult right now, hence late posts, I will explain shortly.

Start /  by Dave Hileman

The New River Gorge National Park begins, in many ways, at the descent of these falls. South of here, the New River flows north, the river flows through bottom farm land and small towns. North of the Sandstone Falls the river carves a deep V shape valley through the boulders and mountains of the area. The New River dips and splashes over class 3, 4 and 5 rapids, along old coal mines and railroad towns and under the impressive high bridge near to the north end of the park.

A Bit Better... /  by Dave Hileman

Some kind person or persons asked about my carving or knew about my hand and wondered how it was progressing. Slowly but better. I was able to carve this little gnome for a friend going through chemo. I don’t know if you know the story but someone did a study with two “aspects” for the image of dealing with cancer. One was the sword, going to battle image, one was the gnome - little helper who carries away the disease. The Gnome image was much more successful and comforting for the patients. Hence this little guy to add whimsy and support to her on a path to health.

Delicate /  by Dave Hileman

The intricacies of a simple flower that one glances at in a field of flowers. The minute of this world is as staggering as the universe is awe inspiring.

City of Rocks, too /  by Dave Hileman

Two more shots from this unique spot in New Mexico. The first photo here was near sunset - my second trip into the rocks. As I said yesterday you could roam freely around the park. However it does not mean there are no dangers. People tend to be less cautious than they need to be far too often. Just a few hundred feet from the right edge of the rocks in the photo a man died from a fall the day before we arrived. Don’t take a vacation from common sense.

Great overview of City of Rocks from a nearby ridge. The trailers, the rocks, the plateau and the distant mountains near sunset.

Otherworldly

Room with a view

City of Rocks /  by Dave Hileman

In south central New Mexico is a unique cluster of large boulders atop a gentle hill in the midst of the otherwise seemingly empty landscape. This is City of Rocks State Park. We camped here for two nights - should have stayed longer, to facilitate a visit to a remote National Park, Gila Cliff Dwellings about 2 hours away. The rock formations also included several trees as the rocks allowed some of the snow melt here to collect along with the rare rain storm to provide sufficient water for a few trees. You were free to roam across the mile or so of the jumble of rocks and explore without defined paths. It was quite interesting however it was cold and windy when we were there. Windy was the theme for much of our trip. I will share a couple of photos today and tomorrow.

The shade of a tree is so appreciated in this land

If this place is a “city” this is the main street