Sunday, November 26, 2017

Sunday Stroll - Late Autumn in Tennessee


This is Ozone Falls,
along Fall Creek,
in beautiful Tennessee. 






We spent a beautiful week
with my mom,
touring the lovely hills,
and visiting with warm and friendly folk. 


Wherever you are, whatever the weather, 
I wish you good company.

Please take a moment to visit Steve's stroll, 


Sunday, November 19, 2017

Sunday Stroll - Autumn in California Part Three


There were so many things to see and do
on our trip to California.  I have one last series of photos 
that I would like to share before I move on,
though I have many others stored on the computer 
to remember this wonderful trip!


We spent just one day in the city of San Francisco.
Some locals suggested that we take the 
double decker "hop on, hop off" bus tour.
So glad we did!
What a great way to see the city.


Our favorite "hop off" location
was the Japanese Tea Garden in
Golden Gate Park.

We wandered the five acre garden
marveling over the beautiful vistas
in every direction.


We enjoyed genmaicha tea and miso soup
in the tea house
at the heart of the garden.
The young woman at the cash register
offered me a tiny paper crane,
and the older gentleman who waited on us
told us the history of the gardens.

If you have the chance to visit this incredible 
oasis of peace
in the heart of a bustling city,
I strongly recommend it!


Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you peace.


You can see Steve's colorful stroll Out on the Prairie.

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Sunday Stroll : Autumn in California - Part Two



Though my Sunday Strolls are nearly always taken the same day that I post them, this time I am going to bring you the second part of my Autumn in California series.  We were so fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Yosemite National Park in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains on our trip.

I do not have the right camera or skill set to do justice to the beauty of this place, but I have the right attitude to appreciate the peace and majesty of Yosemite and I hope I can share a bit of that with you.

Not long after you pass through the welcome center, you find yourself driving around the iconic El Capitan, pictured below.



In fact, around every curve, there is a panoramic scene that takes your breath away.



That is the Clark Range behind me.


Hidden within the vast acres of forest and rock and running water,
are hundreds of different communities of connected plant and animal life.  
The photo above is taken from the fen.
This habitat is so similar to the familiar cedar swamps on our own acres,
but edged in ancient trees and massive geological formations of granite and other rock.


We walked the quiet pathways of the Happy Isles, 
an area between two branches of the tumbling Merced River.


We walked the steep mist trail
with two grandbabies sleeping in a stroller,
while we marveled over the beauty
of our surroundings.



There was grandeur in the vistas,
and sweetness in the small details.




Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you peace.


Don't miss Steve's beautiful stroll, Out on the Prairie!

Tuesday, November 07, 2017

Autumn in California - Part One


Last week we toured Ardenwood Farm in Fremont, California.
We were a long, long way from our Great Lakes home.


We walked beneath Shagbark Hickory
and Eucalyptus trees,
on a trail peppered with stars.



We toured dusty barns 
filled with old tractors and rusty implements.






We lingered on the lawns and porches 
of the elegant Patterson House
at the heart of the historic farm,



breathing in the heady scent of old-fashioned roses, 


while daffodils bloomed innocently,
as if it were spring.


We have just returned from a trip west,
my first time in California. 
 Sorry for the radio silence during my absence.
I will attempt to make up for it with a series of posts 
recalling our Autumn in California!

I hope to make the round to all of yours blogs this week!


Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you great joy.

Wednesday, November 01, 2017