familiar

There's something comforting about familiar places along the trail.

delightful

 

I don't typically think of daffodils as a favorite flower, but I forget just how very much I love their cheery presence popping out and shouting: winter is past.

Daffodils are delightful.

February Hike // White Rocks to Center Point Knob

On Saturday I hiked White Rocks out to Center Point Knob, the former halfway point of the Appalachian Trail. 

Although I've been up the White Rocks trail numerous times (a brief and rigorous hike), I didn't ever remember walking the ridge all the way to the Knob.

It was gloriously peaceful at Center Point Knob. Although the wind was nippy along the ridge, it was calm on the Knob. A soft carpet of pine needles contrasted the nearby rocky terrain. 

And the sun was shining deliciously warm rays.

Lake Shenandoah

On a recent work trip in Virginia, I looked up a nearby hiking trail that looped around the mini Lake Shenandoah. Vicky, Kris, and I squeezed in a quick visit between two sessions of our full schedule of meetings. 

There's nothing like a dose of fresh air, especially after hours of sitting and wrestling with topics like world peace.

photo by Vicky

Consider

Consider what great things He has done for you.

1 Samuel 12:24b

Golden

I've noticed a lot of golden light this season; it's like it warms everything inside and out.

Last weekend I got to spend some quality auntie time with these three littles. We had a grand time exploring a little neighborhood park just a short walk from the Airbnb we rented.

Never Wasted

Time spent amongst trees is never wasted time.

                                               ~Katrina Mayer

 

favorite

After much consideration, I settled on this photo as my favorite waterfall shot of the entire collection from last week's hiking excursion in Ricketts Glen. Twenty-one waterfalls in about four miles leaves one in awe. The beauty was unspeakable. To be present was to be filled to overflowing.

the crisp air. the colored leaves. the incredible views.

the sky. the wonder. the company.

-it was a gift-

Pole Steeple

I forgot to download the map for our recent hike to Pole Steeple, so navigating was a little tricky

(my hiking app notified me when we were off course... but we couldn't see the map to figure out how to get back on course!)

Pole Steeple is a popular hike in the area, but I'd never hiked it before. The main Pole Steeple hike is steep and brief, and we opted for a less popular longer loop that combined three different trails.

 Now that we know how to navigate this loop, we can show you around if you want to come check it out sometime.

Perfect in Beauty

The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth 

from the rising of the sun to where it sets. 

From Zion, perfect in beauty, 

God shines forth.

                                                                    ~Psalm 50:1-2

 

The season of red

when it's strawberry season,

strawberries are best

visiting Longwood Gardens

Last week I took a personal day and Sara and I spent the day at Longwood Gardens. 

This was my first time to visit the Gardens, and I hope it won't be my last!

We had a lovely day together.  

(though it was a lot of car time for the two littles)

So much to see and explore!

Playing in water was so.much.fun.

His favorite part was watching the big crane working on an expansion project at the Gardens :).

island time

...thinking about the fun sisters' week we had in Hilton Head earlier this winter.

Every year for the past number of years I've thought I should plan to fly somewhere warm in January or February. I've never executed the idea... until this year. Having now had the experience of spending a week in a warm(er) place during the winter has confirmed that scheduling time in the sun in the dead of winter is indeed a very good idea!

Sprung

 

a nearby forsythia bush stunning the neighborhood

I had been eagerly awaiting the burst of magnolia buds.

It feels like we got robbed,

because once again a late frost trampled through 

just before the blooms exploded into their glorious performance.

spring snow special

It seemed only fitting to bake some cinnamon rolls for our recent Saturday snow day-- 

likely the last snow storm of the season.

 

Morning on the beach

with these special gals