Category: Daily Adventures

Blogs of everyday activates and adventures.

2022 A Year to Remember

2022 A Year to Remember

2022 A Year to Remember for us, We started this journey back in September of 2021 and what a trip it has been. Even during these trying times for everyone, we are so thankful to have traveled around the states to see what beauty awaits all of us when we step away from the noise of the world around us. Creation has a way of keeping things in balance, it is alive and thrives no matter what.

2022 A Year to Remember

We have made it to Washington and will be heading east again soon. We have travelled over 8000 miles in 11 months. Seeing things beyond my wildest dreams, a place that is a true gift to our eyes when we slow down and really see what is around us.

This journey was also a trip to try and avoid snow for the first time in my life. It was so nice not having to shovel snow this past winter. We were able to stay in some mild temperatures most of the way, a few 90 degree F days, but overall not to bad. This map shows the route we took, it wasn’t a planned route, we just knew to go west and then north.

We did want to see the Red Wood forest, but California seems to have to much going on, like higher gas prices then what was in our budget. But, we did come across some amazing pine trees in the mountains of Nevada that towered over anything I have ever seen. So that was good for me.

Washington this time of year is just gorgeous, I have never seen so much green, the Norway spruce trees are amazing. The smell of flowers is everywhere and so many new birds I have seen here as well. I will definitely come back to this state for sure.

2022 A Year to Remember

Overall, what might be my favorite place? Well, Nevada was at the top of my list until I saw Oregon and Washington. I grew up in the north country and I have a love for forest over desert. But, Montana is next and I am thinking I will love that as well.

Folks have asked us many times on this trip if we miss our home.

Over my 60 years of living on this planet, I have discovered that home is not just a place for me. Home is a place in my heart where I know I am going. But, life is to be lived no matter where you are, this beauty around us was made for us to enjoy and marvel at the craftmanship of our creator.

Our time here is very short and when you see the vastness of this earth and the heavens above, it makes me not want to miss a moment of this precious thing called life. To love, laugh and smile and help others do the same.

Thank you for coming along on this journey with us. We still have more to come. I love sharing what I see through the lens of my camera and taking photographs of this beautiful place, creating a moment in time that can not be duplicated. A photograph becomes history the moment you snap the picture.

What lies ahead is just as exciting, faith, love and trust in our Father, that is what I believe in. 🙂

Thank you

2022 A Year to Remember

Sandra J

Seminole Canyon Big Bend Country

Seminole Canyon Big Bend Country

Seminole Canyon Big Bend Country About ten miles northwest of Comstock is Seminole Canyon State Park. Sitting on more than 2,000 acres, the historic site displays jagged canyons cut through the Chihuahuan Desert, where the Pecos River flows into the Rio Grande.

Seminole Canyon Campground Video here; Seminole Campground

We were here back at the end of February; we had made reservations to Big Bend National Park for the first of March. So, we camped here for a week as we continued our journey into Texas

The extreme dry climate has set in here in southern Texas, very low humidity and 90 degrees F for this part of our trip. This is the dry heat people are always talking about in the south, as long as there is a breeze, I did not mind it.

Seminole Canyon Big Bend Country

This is our first-time camping with no electrical hookups. We had to rely on a portable solar panel that we have to keep the batteries charged. We overestimated how much power we use after a couple of days. We woke up one morning and the refrigerator light was blinking, the batteries were dead.

So, we made sure everything was un plugged the next night, like the DVD player, that blinks a red light all night long, We learned to stop using battery power by midafternoon so that the batteries had enough juice in them to keep the food cold at night. It was a learning curve, but we figured it out right away.

Seminole Canyon Big Bend Country

There is a lot of history in this rugged part of the world, where people who lived here back in the day, lived in the carved-out caves along the canyon walls. There is a big difference in our house on wheels and the home below in the canyon wall.

But, amazing how we figure out how to use what is provided to us in nature/creation. The sun is a very powerful tool that provides energy, warmth and the ability for everything to grow.

Below is a photo of the Pecos River, we had not even heard of this river until we went out for a drive and came across this beautiful canyon just a few miles west of Seminole canyon.

Driving up U.S. Highway 90 from Del Rio, who would imagine the sight of the Pecos River and the Pecos High Bridge appearing suddenly in view? Soaring 322 feet above the water, the High Bridge is the tallest railroad bridge in Texas.

It flows into the Rio Grande River, to view the Rio Grande from Seminole canyon park, it is a short 7-mile hike or bike ride across the rocky terrain to the north canyon rim. These photos are being shared because husband rode his bike down there to take a photo for you and for me. 🙂

I like to ride my bike-on-bike paths, payment sort of terrain. He loves to go off roading with his. 7 miles was a bit to far for me, I did go about 2 miles on the path, it was so bumpy and lots of rocks. So, I went back.

Seminole Canyon Big Bend Country

The Rio Grande water is very low, like a lot of places all along Texas. I will be showing more of these photos of the river as we make our way west.

Seminole Canyon Big Bend Country

Sandra J

Have Jeep Must Travel

Have Jeep Must Travel

Have Jeep Must Travel, this old jeep has taken us down a lot of dirt roads this year. What a fun way to see the roads less travelled. It sure needs a good wash and wax though. 🙂

Have Jeep Must Travel
Have Jeep Must Travel
Have Jeep Must Travel

Have Jeep Must Travel

Sandra J

Hot Air Balloons Means Spring

Hot Air Balloons Means Spring

Hot Air Balloons Means Spring is here and no wind finally. It is a nice calm morning as I step outside of our camper to enjoy the early morning fresh air and I could hear a strange sound off in the distance. I walked to the front of our camper and here flying across the sky are the most colorful hot air balloons, coming right at us and one floating right over us.

See the Video Here; Hot Air Balloons

Hot Air Balloons Means Spring

They landed just on the other side of our camper. As the company that gives the rides pulled up next to the balloons to deflate them and give the customers a ride back to the starting point.

Hot Air Balloons Means Spring

The photo below is a composite where I added all the balloons onto one photo to see all the bright colors together.

Hot Air Balloons Means Spring

by Sandra J

Just Doing Some Birding Today

Just Doing Some Birding Today

Just Doing Some Birding Today, these birds give me goose bumps when they fly this close. We are camped near an air force base. My favorite kind of camping as the air force is doing practice runs everyday.

Best seats in town, I just pull up my chair grab the camera and watch them do their maneuvers. Amazing technology.

Are you wondering how I got this first shot, being it looks like I am in a plane right next to them. 🙂

Just Doing Some Birding Today

They were flying pretty close and banking right around us on my right side, so with a telephoto lens and cropping the photo a bit, it looks like we are right there with them. 🙂 Have a great weekend.

Just Doing Some Birding Today

Just Doing Some Birding Today

Sandra J

All Creatures Great and Small

All Creatures Great and Small

Armadillos (meaning “little armored ones” in Spanish),

Armadillos are prolific diggers. They dig many burrows, as well as dig for food. The animal will not survive in areas where the soil is too hard to dig. Many other wildlife species use and benefit from abandoned armadillo burrows.

Video of Armadillos on our Journey Here; Armadillos

All Creatures Great and Small
All Creatures Great and Small

All Creatures Great and Small

by Sandra J

Cows in the Desert

Cows in the Desert

Cows in the Desert, the desert is an amazing place I have found out. I see cattle here and there grazing the dried up desert landscapes. Wondering how do they get any nutrition from all this dry grass. We have not seen rain in months down south as we are traveling, yet there are a few flowers here and there and some plants stay green also.

We were driving some back roads and came across this small heard of cattle. This black one here was standing so perfectly still even as I walked up to the fence to take its photo. He posed very well with the mountains in the background. You can see the video of these beautiful cows Here; Long Horn Cattle

Cows in the Desert

Spring is the time for calving no matter where you live.

Cows in the Desert

Cows in the Desert

by Sandra J

Nevada Northern Railway

Nevada Northern Railway

Nevada Northern Railway, one of my favorite things next to photographing nature and birds, is photographing trains. Especially steam locomotives. This is my first one I have taken a photo of and the beautiful depot that they have maintained for folks to visit here in Ely NV.

Even their railroad crossing signs are unique.

Nevada Northern Railway
Nevada Northern Railway
Nevada Northern Railway
Nevada Northern Railway
Nevada Northern Railway

Have a Great Weekend

Thank you David for asking about photographing something architectural, I just happen to have taken these photos a couple of weeks ago. 🙂

Nevada Northern Railway

Sandra J

From the Mountains of No Names

From the Mountains of No Names

From the Mountains of No Names comes faith as small as a mustard seed, where nothing is impossible.

I have lived in the mid west my entire life and never ventured west until this year. I have always wanted to see the mountains and it is truly a sight to behold. To be able to climb to the highest peak that I can climb to and then look out over this vast landscape for miles and miles.

Not only is it breathtaking but it makes me see how small we really are, like standing next to the ocean. Areas that are bigger than my imagination and more beautiful then I could ever dream of. Creation is truly a gift.

The mountains started in southern Texas, below we climbed to the top of Franklyn Mountains in El Paso Texas.

From the Mountains of No Names

This photo below is Seminole Canyon in Texas, taken with the drone looking at the Rio Grande river which is very low water levels. We have noticed the lack of water all through out the south.

Below is the wide open spaces of Arizona, BLM land, that is our camper in the photo. BLM land is free to camp on. You just find an empty spot and stay there up to 14 days. The dust was blowing here all the time.

From the Mountains of No Names

Utah is amazing, the red rocks and canyons are amazing to see. This photo below is Zion National Park, it was taken with the drone outside of the park. Looking west. It is quite something how on top of the mountains it looks flat almost everywhere.

From the Mountains of No Names

This mountains range below and valley is quite the place. Its location speaks of much history on how folks lived back in the day. It is called Spring Valley in eastern Nevada, it is full of natural springs all along the valley. The water is flowing even now as we visited this place.

The green valley floods with the monsoon rains in the spring and summer and many many years ago, people lived along the valley and all this water would freeze in the winter. Cutting ice out of the frozen water was a way to make a living here. I will have more information on these places as I get to them individually.

Another mountain in Nevada below, we drove to the top of this one which was nearly 10,000 ft elevation. It is quite the road to get to the top. There is snow up there and you definitely want 4 wheel drive going up this back country road. But what a view from the top.

We continue our travels north, thank you so much for following along. I appreciate all your wonderful comments you leave on these post and enjoy being able to talk to each and everyone of you when I can. The internet is not always the best in some of these places we have been to. But thank you very much, I appreciate it. Have a wonderful day.

From the Mountains of No Names

Sandra J

Starting to See Cactus Now

Starting to See Cactus Now

Starting to See Cactus Now, I always love seeing cactus when in the south. So many different kinds, but we are traveling through this area in February and March, so a lot of the cactus do not look so good this time of year, as it is colder temperatures even in Texas.

Starting to See Cactus Now
Starting to See Cactus Now

We did find this bridge on the map and drove over to see it, I find the construction of older bridges fascinating as well. This is actually a historic bridge named Buchanan Dam Bridge, built in 1937. It was a perfect location at the time below the dam on the Colorado River.

It is a pedestrian bridge now. You can walk across it and when you do there is a constant humming sound, like music almost. From the wind or the traffic going across the newer bridge up river.

Starting to See Cactus Now

by Sandra J

Inks Lake State Park Texas

Inks Lake State Park Texas

Inks Lake State Park Texas, after our stay at the last park I found this state park that was only an hours drive away. We really like not driving more than a couple of hours between parks when possible and we are only staying at this park for 2 nights.

The Colorado river runs through this area and it is the largest river within the state of Texas. It travels 862 miles, almost 600 billion gallons of water flow in a typical year.

Inks Lake State Park Texas

Back in the day the river was as much a danger as a blessing for the residents around this area. So they decided to build a dam, a series of six dams to try and control the Colorado river and Inks Lake Dam was the second one built in the series.

In 1940 the state acquired about 1200 acres to make this park here. It has colorful rocks all around the lake, lots of hiking and really good fishing they say.

I love to learn the history of all these places we are visiting. It isn’t about just camping, I find this trip we are on is a walk down the real history of this country. How did all of these places come about? We have been finding a lot of these parks have great museums near by as well and we try to stop at all of them.

So much better than reading it in a book, to get out there and see how everything has changed over the years is quite remarkable to me.

Inks Lake State Park Texas

Inks Lake State Park Texas

by Sandra J

What I Have Learned

What I Have Learned

What I Have Learned, This trip we are on has shown me a world I knew existed but was afraid to walk into. Traveling away from the physical world that I grew up in, has made me realize that my safety net is not where I am but knowing I am in His world where ever I am.

What I Have Learned
What I Have Learned

Natures Symphony Video

What I Have Learned

by Sandra J

Next Stop Granger Texas

Next Stop Granger Texas

Next Stop Granger Texas, our next stop in eastern Texas is at Willis Creek Campground, a Corp of Engineer Lake. If you love camping in national parks and Corp of Engineer parks, I highly recommend getting the America the Beautiful pass, it cost $80 dollars for the year and gets you 50% off your campground fee.

So this campground cost us 11 dollars a night with water and electricity included. This pass has saved us a lot of money on this trip.

We entered the park and there are deer every where. I am not sure if this one works here and wants us to pay her or she is just adding to the scenic view of the park.

See the Video Here; Granger Texas Campground

Next Stop Granger Texas

Mornings are so colorful here at the lake. Sunrise is my favorite time of day.

Next Stop Granger Texas

Next Stop Granger Texas

by Sandra J

Davy Crockett National Park

Davy Crockett National Park

Davy Crockett National Park, this park in Texas has the most beautiful pine trees called Loblolly Trees. They grow up to 100 ft. tall. Amazing to stand there and look up and watch them sway in the wind.

I just posted a video of this beautiful park on my You Tube channel, Click Here to Visit; Davy Crockett National Forest. It is a longer video so I will leave it over on You Tube instead of posting it here.

Davy Crockett National Park
Davy Crockett National Park

Davy Crockett National Park

by Sandra J

May Brings a Variety of Photos

May Brings a Variety of Photos

May Brings a Variety of Photos, starting the month off with a variety of photos from a Cardinal sitting in the spot light.

May Brings a Variety of Photos

To a White Winged dove photo in a frame I created in photoshop. I love trying to create new looks to my photos via technology.

May Brings a Variety of Photos

This photo below is a shot from the Drone camera, how high did it really go to get this shot? Using the Asteroid effect, the camera goes straight up above the controller 131 feet . The little spot at the end of the road off to the left of center is us standing by some mountains in Texas.

I took this photo last night of the Milky Way at our campground, there was some light pollution in the area but it still turned out ok.

May Brings a Variety of Photos

by Sandra J

From the Land of Texas

From the Land of Texas

From the Land of Texas, I am back to posting our journey from the state of Texas during February and March. Lots of new birds yet to come and landscapes of places I have never been to before.

Texas is a very big state and our first stop is Davy Crockett National Forest in Eastern Texas. It is nice to see pine trees again after the long stay along the gulf coast. During our stay here in February the day time temperatures are not to bad, but it did get down below freezing a few times at night.

This map below shows the journey we took across the state of Texas. From Al to Western Texas we traveled 3210 miles. We were in Texas for 2 months during February and March. Our initial plan was to slowly drop down to Big Bend National park, Texas is a long state, so each red dot is a park we stayed at along the way.

I have to say Texas has some beautiful parks and if you get the America the Beautiful National park pass, it gives you 50% off all national parks and Core of Engineer parks. So this park we are at today only cost 10 dollars a night and that includes electricity and water.

From the Land of Texas

by Sandra J

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom, faces we all can love. From the cute little baby goat, to the beautiful Long Horn Texas Steer. Big and small, they each have a place in this world. Video below or click Link Here; Baby Goat

Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom

Javelina, Javelina also known as collared peccary, are medium-sized animals that look similar to a wild boar. They have mainly short coarse salt and pepper colored hair, short legs, and a pig-like nose.

Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom
Cute as a Button Baby Goat #shorts Cuteness Overload with Farm Animals

Animal Kingdom

by Sandra J

Had to Evacuate Tunnel Fire AZ

Had to Evacuate Tunnel Fire AZ

Had to Evacuate Tunnel Fire AZ, I am jumping ahead on my blog post to what happened last week. Let me tell you, my nerves were on high alert as we were camping in the Coconino Mountains when all of a sudden smoke is gaining ground just south of us.

Let me start at the beginning. We have been on the road for 8 months now and I have a lot of photos still to go through from back in February. But I am jumping ahead to just last week on April 19th, we decided to head to some BLM land, (Bureau of Land Management), which is free camping just north of Flagstaff AZ, we were camping south of Flagstaff the week before.

Arizona and Texas are very dry, we have not seen rain for almost 3 months on this journey. The dust is so bad everywhere in the south when the wind blows and we decided to head north to get away from it. Even though the weather warned of high winds on this particular day. But the BLM land was only 1 1/2 hour drive north, so we figured we could get there before the winds picked up to bad.

This photo below is our drive right before the Coconino Mountains, we will be stopping just on the other side. As we pass the mountains on the left, we noticed some smoke near the mountain. I thought that can’t be good to have any kind of smoke on such a windy day.

We found a campsite not to far from the main road, one other camper was on that road as well. A beautiful spot with tall Pondarosa pine trees and lots of dry grass. There is a lot of burnt trees there already I noticed, as if a fire had gone through there not to long ago.

Had to Evacuate Coconino Tunnel Fire AZ

We set up camp and I made some lunch, as we were eating a strange looking bird landed on our jeep, it was really interested in the red brake lights on top and the red can on top of the jeep.

I have no idea what kind of bird this is, if any one does let me know.

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Then my husband looked out the door and said, ” Is that dust or smoke?”. I went outside and I said this is smoke. Our phone’s started to alert of danger, I quick got into the jeep and drove down to the other campers to see what they might know of the situation. They said the fire from way over there by the west mountains had spread and it just jumped the road to where we are and they were leaving.

So I quickly went back to the RV and said we need to go now. We got to the main road and the police were already helping people to leave on the west side of the road and were blocking traffic from going south.

The map below shows a red dot, that is where we are camping and the pink and green area is the fire spreading across that area.

The winds are now gusting over 50 miles an hour, which is not safe to drive a high profile vehicle in. So I found a spot about 30 min north of the fire to stop and wait out the wind before going any farther. This is where I took the photos from shown below.

Had to Evacuate Coconino Tunnel Fire AZ

They ended up blocking traffic right where we were parked at and we ended up staying there all night. Exhausted and stressed to say the least, 2 other campers stayed the night there as well.

Had to Evacuate Coconino Tunnel Fire AZ

I looked out the window a lot that night, checking to see that the fire did not start to spread north towards us. By morning the smoke was still heavy across the landscape and the fire as of today has burned over 20,000 acres. I have not heard the source of this fire yet.

This could be a bad year for fires, we all need to take care and be mindful of our environment around us. One gentleman we talked to that lives around here said, ” This place used to be paradise when he was growing up here and now it is a rat race”.

Had to Evacuate Coconino Tunnel Fire AZ

Had to Evacuate Tunnel Fire AZ

by Sandra J

Louisiana Wet Lands

Louisiana Wet Lands

Louisiana Wet Lands, we stopped at a beautiful little park in southern Louisiana back in January. This campground only had 8 campsites and no one was there when we arrived. So we had the whole park to ourselves for a couple of days.

Video below of the Flight of the Snow Goose, thousands of geese looking from ground level to above the geese. Link click Here; Flight of the Snow Goose

Louisiana Wet Lands

I always look for Wildlife Refuge locations everywhere we go, because they are usually wet lands and home for a lot of wildlife depending on the time of year. So, we found this one here shown above. We drove clear out to the east side of the park and not one bird we found anywhere.

The green icon is the park we were at and the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge in dark green below it.

I thought that maybe we were a little early to see birds migrating through in January. The photo below is the farmland around the campground. It is close to Lake Charles Louisiana.

A couple days later some folks came to camp that were from the area and we got to talking about birding and the wet lands. Come to find out, we were on the wrong side of the wet lands. The gentlemen told us where to go to get to the hot spot and we went there the next day.

Louisiana Wet Lands

Below is part of the wet lands to this refuge and we were not disappointed on what we found. So many birds and new birds I had never heard of.

Louisiana Wet Lands

Talking to folks that live in the area is the best way to get to know some wonderful people and to learn all about their state. This area was hit pretty hard by 2 hurricanes over the last couple of years and when we drove into Lake Charles you could still see all the damage.

Folks were still fighting with their insurance company’s on getting their roofs rebuilt. There was a lot of blue tarps on 80% of the homes waiting to get the shingles or metal roofs put on. Plus they just have a shortage of workers to get it done as well. But the folks were in good spirits and so helpful to us as we were asking questions and enjoying their parks.

As we are chasing 70 degree weather this year, the temperatures stayed in the 50’s f. for the most part and 30’s at night. We did have a few campfires as the park also provided the wood at each campsite.

This is the park where I photographed my first sighting of the Ibis and this bird below is called the white faced Ibis, even though it does not have a white face. It is very colorful with the sunlight shinning on it.

The Flight of the Snow Goose,Thousands of Snow Geese, Hear Them Take Off, LAST VIDEO, from Louisiana

Louisiana Wet Lands

by Sandra J

Desert Animals

Desert Animals

Desert Animals, I thought this little guy in the first photos was a chipmunk, but it is actually a squirrel called the Antelope Squirrel. One of the smaller ones in the species. Found in the desert regions.

Despite the hot desert weather, you will often see these squirrels dashing about in the middle of the day. They will stay out in the heat collecting food until their body reaches its maximum temperature and then they will rest in the shade until that temperature has lowered. Their tail is often held over their head like an umbrella helping to shade their bodies.

Desert Animals

You will see a lot of these in southern Texas, the Javelina’s. These were wondering around the campground in the early mornings or evening right by the tents people were sleeping in.

Desert Animals

Rock squirrels, below, are one of the largest members of the Scuridae family, growing to nearly a foot in length, not including their long, bushy tails which are nearly as long as their bodies.

Some of the Texas ranches have a variety of exotic deer. Like the two below. You will see them quite often as you drive through the state.

Desert Animals

Desert Animals

by Sandra J

Is it a Mule Deer

Is it a Mule Deer

Is it a Mule Deer , Well I am not sure now. I thought this first photo was a mule deer because it is so much smaller then the white tailed deer up north and the ears are so huge. Video below or click this Link Here, Mule Deer

Is it a Mule Deer
Is it a Mule Deer

As I was researching the difference between the Mule deer and the white tailed deer. It said the ears are placed farther apart on the Mule deer. The two photos below shows the difference in the ears placement.

The left photo is the new deer I photographed and the right photo is a White Tailed deer from up north. I am not sure, but the photo on the right was taken clear up by Lake Superior and the photo on the left was taken near the Mexican border in the south. Almost worlds apart for them.

Is it a Mule Deer
Mule Deer #shorts, My What Big Ears You Have.  Wild Life Never Ceases to Amaze Me

Is it a Mule Deer

by Sandra J

Some Unique Animals Along the Route

Some Unique Animals Along the Route

Some Unique Animals Along the Route, well I love all animals not just birds and we stumbled apon a Mercantile store in the desert that provided everything you need for animals, like feed and farming equipment. But they also had an assortment of beautiful animals that folks can see up close.

They are all well taken care off also. Plenty of fresh green hay and water here in the desert.

Some Unique Animals Along the Route
Some Unique Animals Along the Route

The next two photos below I will let you guess what it is and who it belongs to. I will show those photos tomorrow.

This of course is a white Camel, very friendly and look very healthy.

Some Unique Animals Along the Route

Lots of goats, they are always fun to see along with baby goats.

Some Unique Animals Along the Route

by Sandra J

In the Garden of Trees

In the Garden of Trees

In the Garden of Trees is where you will find the spring bees. Nature is waking up after its long winters nap, a time to see bees working their magic as they pollinate the earth going from tree to tree. Video Link to see pollen falling from all these bees, Link Here; In the Garden of Trees

We were camping under a tree and one morning I woke up and went outside and could hear a loud humming noise but could not see anything. Until I looked very closely at the tree hanging over me, it was filled with bees. Video below of pollen falling from the bees in trees or click on this link here; In the Garden of Tree

In the Garden of Trees

I got my camera out and to my eyes surprise, through the morning light, a glow appeared around the bees and pollen was falling ever so lightly all around me.

In the Garden of Trees by Sandra J, The Purpose of Life, Spring is When Nature Wakes Up, Pollination
bumble bee
In the Garden of Trees
bumble bee
In the Garden of Trees
Watch this video on YouTube.
Sandra J's Photography

In the Garden of Trees

by Sandra J

Desert Surprises

Desert Surprises

Desert Surprises, it has been very dry in the desert this past month, I was beginning to think we were to early to see any flowers on this trip. But, we walked down to the Rio Grande river one morning right at sunrise and this lone yellow flower was blooming right in the middle of rocks and dry dirt.

A lovely surprise for sure.

Desert Surprises

Along with this one growing at the base of more rocks.

Even the cactus has just a touch of color with their red pointy needles.

Desert Surprises

Now this plant below, I believe is in the Agave family, you definitely would not want to trip and fall on one of these. Those things do not bend at all. They are as hard as a rock.

Desert Surprises

Sandra J

Look at Everything

Look at Everything

“Look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time:

Look at Everything

The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.

Look at Everything

Look at Everything

Sandra J

My Grandparents Loved to Travel

My Grandparents Loved to Travel

My Grandparents Loved to Travel, they always stopped at the welcome signs that are posted on the side of the road as you enter a new state. I have a lot of photos they took on their vacations when they were very young. I see my self in them as we travel now across the country. (video below)

I picture them getting out at every sign we see to take a picture. We don’t do that because those roads are usually so busy, you would not want to pull over especially with an RV.

My Grandparents Loved to Travel

Taking our trusty jeep is always a fun way to see the back roads of this country. Nice thing about the older jeeps, husband can fix anything on it and it goes just about everywhere. Dirt roads are our preferred travel in the jeep.

My Grandparents Loved to Travel

This video is a look at Scenic Hwy 170 in Texas, at Warp Speed. I quick ride along a mountainous road with lots of curves and hills. It follows along the Rio Grande and is a beautiful drive if you ever get down that way.

Virtual Roller Coaster Drive, Drivers View on Scenic Hwy Along Rio Grande River in Texas Go Pro

My Grandparents Loved to Travel

Sandra J

Spring Is Coming Soon

Spring Is Coming Soon

Spring Is Coming Soon, the left overs of last fall are still intact around the country side. But the seeds are holding strong after the long winter and soon will be drifting off into the spring winds and rain to replant and grow into new flowers and lush green grasses.

That is always a refreshing time of year, when I can smell the green grass after a rain. We have been traveling in the south all winter and everything is brown and very dry where we have been, just no snow is all. We did not go far enough south to enjoy winter flowers and green grass.

Spring Is Coming Soon
Spring Is Coming Soon

Spring Is Coming Soon

by Sandra J

After the Rain

After the Rain

After the Rain , After rain there’s a rainbow, after a storm there’s calm, after the night there’s a morning, and after the end there’s a new beginning.

After the Rain
After the Rain

After the Rain

by Sandra J