{Wordless Wednesday: Sunshine Sprouting from Soil}

Willcox, Arizona

{Walk This Way}

I've lived in Arizona since the end of 2004, (minus that little trip across the pond in '06). Yet, somehow I've only explored two of the mountain ranges The Valley has to offer. (For shame!) New geography and mentality has me more determined than ever to try lots of new things.

After scaling both sides of the more popular Camelback Mountain, I knew it was time to follow the recommendation given to me by a bartender from Vintage 95 (who really just bartends to support his real love of hiking and working as a guide). I figured a person with his passion knows his stuff.

My brother, Aaron, was in town from Illinois. Together, we went west in search of Peralta Trail. (More cell phone photos -- ugh -- sorry! One of these days, I'll get back into the mode of using my real camera and taking decent pictures.)

{For you locals: Take 60 to Peralta Road Exit (just passed Apache Junction). Go north on Peralta. You'll pass a school, and the road turns to dirt. Take that another 3-4 miles and park!}

I get excited like a kid at Cedar Point when I get to a new trail head. Adventures await!

This hike didn't disappoint. We saw a 4 foot rattlesnake inches off the trail right off the get! I've always known they're there, but this is the first time I saw one up close and personal. I carefully snapped a picture. Fortunately, he cooperated. (Is it wrong that I assume it was a he just because it's a snake? Ha!) I couldn't quite get it in one shot. That's it's head to the left and it's wee little rattle on the right.

From then on, it was just a series of breathtaking views. We were amazed that they seemed to be ours alone. We saw so few people out there -- maybe a dozen at the most.

My "church" is, without question, Mother Nature. Nothing else resets me like she does! There's something grounding about being in medias res of expansive natural spaces. It reminds me how small I am in the grand scheme of things. Life is not to be taken as seriously as I sometimes like to think. We're really just part of a greater whole. The goal, as I see it, is to do something meaningful with my piece of it, leaving things a little better than I found them. Well, that, and making sure to enjoy the process. Mornings like this put my perspective back on track and reset the flow of my blood! 

The area pictured above is Boulder Canyon. We hiked all the way through it! The reward? An awesome view of Weaver's Needle. It's the main landmark in the Superstition Mountains, and it's gorgeous!

The hike back was fun -- faster, easier and every bit as beautiful. :) Completely energizing and a great little adventure. Quite possibly, the perfect way to start a Sunday!!

{Wordless Wednesday: The Pleasure of Your Company}

Chandler, AZ

p.s. Thanks for the nudge.

{Wordless Wednesday: Bird Watching}

Phoenix, Arizona

{Beauty and the Beast}

Our front yard is what they call xeriscape. Basically, it's highly functional for the kind of

hot, dry weather we have here in the Phoenix area.

So, instead of grass, we have rocks. (I love not having to mow the front yard.) In place of

plants that need constant watering, we have succulent cacti that survive -- and thrive,

even -- with only the few random drops of moisture Mother Nature sees fit to sprinkle

on on them.

I've really come to love the look and feel of desert landscape since we originally moved

to Arizona back in late 2004.

The Blue Monster is one of the cacti in our front yard. There's a real juxtaposition

between it and the intricate, fragile flowers it produces in springtime. It's flowering

season is short -- only a week or two.

The cactus has a thick, tough, prickly exterior. Each flower it produces only last for a

couple days, at best. It's gentle petals layer together and open to a beautiful bloom that

closes up during the day to protect itself from the harsh heat and sun.

It really is a natural Beauty and the Beast.

p.s. It was fun to look back at how our yard looked when we first planted everything

in the spring of 2008. It's really filled out since then!

{Wordless Wednesday: A Roll in the Hay}

Phoenix, Arizona

{Wordless Wednesday: Nature's Picture Frame}

{Wordless Wednesday: Flutter, Butterflies}

Phoenix, Arizona

{Disneynature Strikes Again}

Earth Day is coming. Cats will prowl into theaters everywhere on April 22nd.

This will be the third year in a row that Disneynature releases one of their amazing

nature series movies on Earth Day. This year's film is "African Cats," and it looks like

it'll be every bit as entertaining and gorgeous as "Oceans" (2010) and "Earth" (2009).

David and I have made a recent tradition of going to these Disneynature productions

on Earth Day. This year, I know we'll go see it opening weekend, but I'm not sure we'll

make it on Friday. Either way, I'm excited to keep the tradition alive.

The videography, the shots, the amount of time, and the number of cameras involved

in the making of these films is reason enough to go see them. But they also weave

together moving stories about family and survival that show you things you'd

otherwise never get to witness in person.

For me, at least, these movies create an appreciation for how big and amazing this

beautiful Earth of ours is, and how it's filled with incredible beings even in it's most

wild corners. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to take care of this one

of a kind place, and what better day to be reminded of that then on Earth Day.

If you see "African Cats" during opening week, Disneynature will make a donation

in your name that will go toward protecting the Savanna and the majestic cats who

live there. I mention it here today so you have time to plan a trip to the theater.

Have you been doing anything for Earth Month? What are your plans for Earth Day?

{Wordless Wednesday: The Easter Bunny's Cousin}

Phoenix, Arizona

p.s. The rabbits down here have big ears. It's an adaption they made to

cool themselves when it gets hot in the desert.

{Wordless Wednesday: Seasons Change and So Did I} }

Denver, Colorado

{Wordless Wednesday: Pretty Petals}

Glen Arbor, Michigan

{Wordless Wednesday: The Queen's Lace}

Mason, Michigan

{Minutes in Mason}

I sure am milking our ten days in Michigan from a blogging perspective! We hadn't been home

together since late 2006. So, it was really nice to be able to be in D's places, with his people.

I wanted to take this opportunity to document it. We live so far from family and see them

pretty rarely. It helps me feel more connected to them when I savor the moments.

We started our trip by spending a couple days with his mom and Jim. As always, our visit

with them was too brief, and everyone knew it. We took them out for their anniversary,

Sandy made us a delicious Julia Child soup, David helped Jim refurbish their riding lawn

mower, and we generally enjoyed each others company. We took walks (David ran) and

enjoyed the beautiful nature on their property. We even got to observe a whole family of

raccoons as they feasted on birdseed that had fallen from the bird feeders. That was

memorable for me. Here are a few photos from our time in relaxing, quiet, lovely Mason,

Michigan.

Until next time!