Never could quite get the lines of this lighthouse to be in the correct orientation but it is still a pretty shot of a much prettier place on the north shore of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We were able to climb the stairs in the light house and explore the keeper’s home. It was a windy afternoon.
Turret Arch /
Not as spectacular as Window or Double but in the same area. I find this one is very neat. There is a small arch you can only see on the other side and up a short climb, just about 10 feet across. All of these formations are worth the effort and will reward those who pause and simply relish the beauty all around.
Breathtaking /
These are the La Sal Mountains just a bit south of Arches National Park and the Colorado River. There are a few peaks over 12,000 feet. We drove a road around portions of the range sometimes over 9,000 feet with lots of snow about. It was an awesome experience.
Exit /
This is the Virgin River as it leaves the confines of the Narrows at the head of the valley in Zion National Park. There was significant snow last winter so the river was full and it made the hike in the narrows off limits in the early spring.
Would You Eat Here? /
Here, is the Starlight Theater in the “ghost” town of Terlingua, Texas. It is named the Starlight because for years the handful of residents met here, cooked on grills and often ate together in the old theater that had no roof, hence, the name Starlight. Some years later as tourists discovered the town, a roof was added and it is now a very nice restaurant. We ate here along with Rusty and Janet and all agreed it was excellent. So the correct answer is Yes, you should eat here and enjoy the unique town that surrounds the theater.
Plus look at the dessert.
Ready for the Close Up (2 photos) /
This is a photo of the Double Arch in Utah’s Arches National Park, an absolute wonderland of shapes, arches, turrets and trails. And I think Arches is my favorite of the Utah parks but that could change in five minutes. Just magical places. The second photo is to add scale to the formation. It is huge and you don’t get that unless you are close and suddenly you realize how immense these structures are that from a distance seem like small bumps on the vast landscape.
Sunday Scripture: Photo from Zion National Park /
Pastel /
These two homes are on a less traveled street in Charleston, SC. They were pale pink and light yellow. I softened the shot and made tham a bit more pastel in the edit. Trying new ways to approach my photos.
Yellow House and Horse /
The yellow house in the background is in the Capitol Reef National Park in Utah. It was a Mormon families farm house with orchards all around the valley floor. Remnants of those orchards planted long ago are still here and bearing fruit. One of the reasons why you can buy excellent pies from the shop. We had berry, apple, and cherry pies - they are small! This is a no judgement zone. Also I took a cherry pie home! An advantage of taking your home with you on these adventures. The horse was curious - I think it hoped that I still had some of that pie. Or if you might still have a piece of pumpkin left from yesterday the horse is not picky.
Be Thankful.... /
….for every day that you have
…for every step you can take
…for every joy on your journey
…for every challenge you face
…for each friendship you share
…for the family that blesses you
…for each memory you hold
…for each day’s ordinariness
…for love that is given freely
…for grace poured into your life
…for an absolute cleansing of sin
…for every small, quiet, understated gift of God that is your life.
Still Thrilled /
I saw my second California Condor at Zion National Park this past year. in 2018 I saw my first at the Grand Canyon. This one had a wing span over 10 feet, more like 11 or 12 according to the volunteer watcher at the overlook nearby. I watched it as it sat on the side of a cliff high on a ledge for about 30 minutes then it took off. I have better closer photos (this is nearly one mile away!) but I really liked this photo of the bird against the huge red stone cliff face. That cliff is three or four times what is seen on the image. In case you are wondering the bird in silhouette is not the bird but the shadow. Look above and you will see a black slash, that is the condor.
Top of the Falls (2 photos) /
Another viewpoint of the Emerald Pool Falls at Zion National Park. This is a popular trail that takes you to the base of the falls in a mile or so, but it goes on a long way to other viewpoints and pools. Each of those pools, up steep trails, are less crowded than the previous one:)
Orchard Siesta /
These deer found an idyllic spot for their afternoon rest among the trees of an apple orchard at Capitol Reef National Park in Utah. The trees were just past blooming for the most part and the grass was thick and bright green from the winter snow thaw. I edited this a bit differently than my usual process.
Sunday Scripture: Photo from Arches National Park /
Play Ball /
Here is my new friend retrieving the ball tossed into the edge of the surf on the beach at Isle de Palms. It is easy to meet most people if they are walking a dog if you show some interest in their companion. This one was still pretty young and energetic.
Across the Lake /
I walk here most days. I have three other walks but this is the one I take most often, Lake Lynn. It is less than a mile from the house and is 2.2 around the lake on a paved path. It is very popular and even at six in the morning you will encounter others on the trail. I usually walk early in the summer and fall and late in the winter. This day though it was nearly sunset and across the lake the trees glowed. We don’t get a lot of color in Raleigh and it is short lived but that day was very nice. The photo is the one that was intended to post on Wednesday and I messed up.
Just Around the Corner to the Light of Day /
Yep, another song and another shot from Big Bend with the road winding on ahead enticing us to travel down it to the light of day. The song is about a man heading to Galveston about 500 miles to go, about where this road is in the western side of Texas. If you wish to hear the more energetic version it is this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QWhPWBJPik
Another Reflection with Apology. /
I had a post scheduled for today, Wednesday at the usual time around 5 AM then I decided it was too saturated so I redid a photo. THOUGHT I had redone it all but nope, I did not have the correct time or date set. Did not know that until about 9 this morning. Panic of course, so I also realized I posted the same bad photo, so got the right photo in and posted. Just to the wrong day. Still trying to figure out how to blame something for this fiasco - anyone? This is another reflection pond shot in Luray Cavern - this week end the mystery photo will post. Again. sorry!
Morning Has Broken /
This was a stunning morning in Big Bend National Park. The sun cracked the clouds and the mists and the snow on the mountains just shimmered. It had snowed about 5 inches two days earlier and the remnants still filled the mountain craigs. I loved the yucca blooms adding another dimension to the landscape. Just a glorious morning. Reminds me of the song, Morning Has Broken, a hundred year old Christian hymn set to an older Scottish song and given a popular twist by Cat Stevens in the 1970’s. However, I prefer this version by Judy Collins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUiuNfFUJIs
Proud /
Geof completed his 23rd Marathon on Saturday. He wrote on his FB page “21,000+ miles and 22 marathons over the past decade all came together in Richmond yesterday. … I've now managed a personal best in all distances from mile to marathon over the course of 2023.” I was able to go with him on Friday night, we had a great dinner at Joe’s Inn in the Fan with a couple of his friends from Raleigh who also ran in the marathon. He was off with 18,000 others at 7:00 Saturday morning. The majority of the runners were in the 8k or half marathon but there were still lots of people on the full 26.2 mile course. Geof qualified for the Boston Marathon with his time - not a guarantee to get an invitation but definitely the first step. His dedication - off most every day at 4:30 in the morning is inspirational and I was so glad to be able to see him compete on Saturday.
Along the Boulevard in the near Carytown. Mile eighteen
Up a slight hill on Forest Avenue on the South Side of Richmond. Mile eleven.