Autumn

I love the fall.  It is without a doubt my favorite season.  (That's not to say I don't enjoy the other 3).  There's just something about the cool crisp weather, with sunny skies and refreshing breezes.  It's perfect for hiking and other outdoor activities.  Soft sweatshirts and a pair of jeans are comfy and ideal for this time of year.  I could go on and on, but one of my favorite parts of fall are the colors of the leaves changing.  To me, it is just breathtaking.  The color palate of oranges, yellows, reds and more - so brilliant.  

Below is a photo from a work trip to Portsmouth, NH.  The last day we had a few free hours before heading back to the airport so decided to just drive around along the tree-lined country roads.  It was quintessential fall in New England.  Perfect.

What's your favorite season?

Pikes Peak

In 2007, my dad and I hiked Barr Trail to the top of Pikes Peak, elevation 14,110 feet.  The path is 13 miles of switchbacks and provides some spectacular views.  We started right before sunrise, as the sun slowly peaked over the horizon.  7 miles up we stopped at a small cabin, enjoying a picnic lunch and resting our feet.  The last 6 miles proved to be the most challenging, as the air got thinner and the trail steeper.  And with the menacing clouds rolling in, we started to wonder what might be in store, but had no thought of stopping.  We luckily made it to the top without any rain/lightning, and it felt like we were standing on top of the world.  The photo below is not from the summit, but it's my favorite photo from the hike.  I love finding these places where you look out over the landscape and just find peace and solace.  Plus, working hard to make it to that spot makes the view even better.  

Have you scaled any mountains recently?  

~Lisa  

Maui Sunset

I'll start with a disclaimer:  I probably took over a hundred photos of sunsets while spending an amazing week on vacation in Hawaii in May 2010.  They were all uniquely beautiful, but this was without a doubt my favorite.  Something about how the waves are rolling over the sand, how the light illuminates and creates shadows with the sand and the curves of the rock as it rests in its place.  It's a photo I would love to hang up on my wall.

After reflecting on the photo more though, I realized what struck me the most.  Most times when I take photos of sunsets, it's always of the sky, with the colorful light of the sun and clouds.  This time, I focused solely on the effects of the sunset and left the actual sky to the viewer's imagination.  It's amazing how the sunset turns a simple object like a rock - somewhat ordinary and plain - into a picturesque focal point.  Do you light up the world?  

Welcome!

Hello everyone! Since first impressions are important, let's try to make this an exciting post. As many of you know, I've been blessed with many opportunities to travel throughout the country and a little bit outside the US as well.  What a beautiful world this is!

My goal for the blog is fairly simple:  to share these experiences with you and most importantly, to inspire you to explore the world.  Trust me, no matter how beautiful the photos are, they do not do these places justice.  You need to see them with your own eyes, feel sunshine on your face, take a deep breath of the fresh air, and then you'll understand.

So here's the plan:  Share some of my favorite photos with you and give you a glimpse of some amazing places I've seen and wonderful people with whom I've shared the journeys.  Because sharing the trips with someone special makes all the difference.  Won't you join me on an adventure?

Without further ado, here's 3 photos from 3 different National Parks in 3 different states.

Photo 1:  Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah.  The rock formations are called "hoodoos".  What a vast expanse of color and intricately carved rock, all resulting from forces of Nature.  

Photo 2: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.  This was one of those places where I could just lay in the grass all day and stare up at the clouds.  It felt like I was on top of the world.

Photo 3: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.  A herd of buffalo grazing with the geysers in the backdrop.  There's no place quite like Yellowstone.  You definitely need to go and visit.

Until next time,

Lisa