Happy New Year!

LuAnn

“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are.  When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”  ~  Lao Tzu

gratitude At this time of year I find that I seek silence, a yearning to retreat to the calm place deep within my being, that asylum where deep hope resides.  To dwell in this space allows time for reflecting upon that for which I am most grateful, and there is much.

We have all heard the expression “count your blessings”.   When we take time out of our busy lives and journey to that place inside, we are reminded of all our blessings, for this is the place where that little voice that speaks to us of all that is lacking in our lives cannot be heard.  My gratitude list is long – family, friends, a higher power to guide me, health, the gift of life, nature, hugs, laughter, sunrises and sunsets, volunteer opportunities, etc., etc.

Today I hope that you take a few moments to allow that little voice to speak to you, particularly if you are currently navigating troublesome terrain.  Practicing gratitude for all that is good around us can be life-changing.  When we embrace all that we have with an open, grateful heart, we bring more of what we want into our lives.

May 2015 be a time of abundance for us all.  Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

LuAnn

Jojoba Hills_141220-1150923

I sit here at the keyboard reflecting upon how long I have been away from blogging , looking back at how life has changed since we arrived at Jojoba Hills SKP Resort in Southern California.  Although I have missed what has gone on in your lives, this quiet time has  given me the space to work on some personal issues, while embracing this new community we find ourselves in, a community where we feel supported and deeply connected with our neighbors.  Jojoba Hills, which I will write about in more detail after the holidays, is a rare gem, a place where we felt we were returning home, although our first visit to the resort.

I wanted to take a moment to wish all of you a most blessed holiday, filled with the love of family and friends, quiet time to reflect upon the many gifts you have been given this year,  and more joy than you could ever imagine.  Wherever you find yourself this holiday and however you celebrate the season, be present with a grateful heart.  I am filled with much gratitude for the love and support I have been given this year and am looking forward to reconnecting with all of you in 2015.

Happy holidays!

Red Rock Energized ~ Sedona, AZ

LuAnn

Sedona has long held the reputation as a world-wide spiritual mecca, drawing healers, artists, and spiritual guides.  Whether or not you believe in her vortex energy, there is no denying the breathtaking views that can be seen in every direction. Having lived in Sedona for many years, we believe the magnificent red rock formations and evergreen vegetation exudes energy, a year-round feeling of renewal and sense of peace, and is one of the reasons we come back year after year to hike her enchanting trails.

We recently found ourselves back in Sedona to visit friends, get a tune-up for me, and do a little hiking.  Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood is where we tend to stay, a peaceful park that is just far enough away from the tourist pace of Sedona, yet close enough to hiking trails.  Finding a trail we haven’t already tackled is the biggest challenge, particularly Terry, who I think has pretty much hiked them all.  I did manage to introduce him to a newer trail that I hiked a few years ago with a girlfriend and he agreed to tag along with me on one that I had yet to cross off my list.

Here are two hikes we would highly recommend should you find yourself wandering around Sedona’s red rocks:

1)  Slim Shady / Highline / Baldwin / Templeton (with a twist)

Better known by many as the Highline Trail, this was actually designed as a technically difficult mountain biking trail but is equally loved by hikers.  It is a bit of a challenge to stay on course as many trails converge at one point or another.  And with such breathtaking scenery to distract you, you may as well decide you are going to get turned around a time or two.

Views of one of the most-photographed sights in Arizona, Cathedral Rock, can be seen from many angles, and we soon found ourselves getting off our charted course to see if we could pick up a trail that would take us to the highest saddle point on Cathedral Rock.  There is a designated, slick rock trail up to the saddle point but it was on the opposite side of Cathedral Rock from where we were.  But did that stop us?  Nope!

Expansive redrock views
On top of the saddle
Looking down on the slick rock trail far below
The final leg of the journey

Although we would not suggest this as the soundest or safest way to get to the saddle of Cathedral Rock, what with the bush-whacking and boulder-hopping, it was certainly a unique approach.  What began as a moderate 5-miler ended as a very interesting 9-mile hike.

Our next day’s adventure was to be a bear and Terry’s all-around favorite Sedona hike.  After tackling this mountain, I had to agree.

2)  Bear Mountain

I’m not sure why I never hiked this mountain while we lived in Sedona, as it has always been touted to have some of the most breathtaking views from its peak.  I had decided this visit was the time and I wasn’t leaving Sedona until I had firmly planted my feet on top.  All I can say is wow!

Bear Mountain is a 5-mile hike with a 2000 foot elevation gain over some of the most unusual topography in Sedona.  There are cairns to mark part of your journey but white arrows painted onto the rocks are your true guides to the peak.  There are interesting breaks or decks of changing geology that you pass through, almost as if you traverse three false summits before reaching the true peak.  A section of Apache Limestone moves into Schnebly Hill Sandstone, then onto a deck of swirling Coconino sandstone dotted with manzanita, truly spectacular.

Up we go!
One of several false summits
Terry stopped to admire the vista and take a “Pam and John” shot.
Ancient-looking trees seem to grow right out of the rock.
View from the top

Sedona’s grandeur can be seen without taking to the trails, but we have always believed that the essence of her spirit lies off the paved roads, tucked back into her hidden canyons.

We have settled into our winter home in Southern California, which I will post about in the near future.  It is a change from our existing approach to RVing and we are enjoying it more than I had imagined.  More on that later…

An Ancient Landscape ~ Petrified Forest National Park, AZ

LuAnn

Recently, while on a trajectory back to Sedona, AZ, which was home to us for several years, I realized that Petrified Forest National Park was within striking distance.  It had been many years since we had last visited so an overnight stay was added to our itinerary.

Petrified Forest National Park, in northeast Arizona, encompasses roughly 150 miles of brightly hued, abraded badlands, an ancient landscape that was birthed over 225-million years ago. Wind and water transformed this once humid, sub-tropical land, along with tectonic forces that pushed the landscape upward, exposing the Colorado Plateau to immense erosion.  Today, these desolate but beautifully striated formations tell the story of a land that has been scattered on the winds and the remains of trees now dot the landscape, turned to stone, as if Medusa had been at work here.

The Tepees
The Tepees

Petrified Forest is the only national park to protect a section of historic Route 66.  The roads are well-maintained so larger vehicles/RV’s can easily maneuver the 28-mile scenic drive through the park.  If your visit is short as ours was, the Crystal Forest Gift Shop Campground at the southern entrance is the place to stay.  Although you will be dry-camping, you will also be staying there free of charge. 🙂

The Painted Desert lies far off in the distance.
The Painted Desert lies far in the distance.
Newspaper Rock, where ancient words are etched onto desert varnish.
Newspaper Rock, where ancient words are etched onto desert varnish.
The sun peering through clouds over the Petrified Forest
The sun peering through clouds over the Petrified Forest
Final rays cast a golden glow over the desert, with petrified wood strewn across the landscape.
Final rays cast a golden glow over the desert, with petrified wood strewn across the landscape.

Enveloped in a Golden Glow ~ Parshall, CO

LuAnn

High in the Colorado mountains, just outside of Silverthorne, the tiny town of Parshall sits, quietly basking in the golden hue of the surrounding aspens. A  small ranch, perhaps better known for its winter activities, is where our niece chose to be married and it was their great fortune to have picked the weekend when the fall colors were at their peak.  With a few hours to spare the morning of the wedding, we decided to officially become “leaf-peepers” and get in a little exercise hike as well.  Ute Pass was just a few miles away and was where a hike among the aspens was possible, a place to imbue our senses with the golden aura of autumn’s arrival.  How could we resist?  The colors of the mountainsides were so brilliant it almost hurt to look…almost.

Here is just a snapshot of the spectacular fall color extravaganza that awaited us!

As blown away as we were by the landscape, this was just a prelude to the beauty we were to experience later that day.  Our niece’s wedding day was finally here and the day was pure joy, a light breeze causing the aspen leaves to shimmer, the sun peeking through the clouds as the ceremony began, and a golden glow settling over the mountaintops.  This day, this place, surrounded by family and friends, was the perfect venue for beginning a life together as husband and wife.

Sara’s close friend Lauren presided over the ceremony.
The young couple exchanging vows
All smiles as Nick and Sara are wed.
Nick and Sara, the lovely couple
Enveloped in the golden glow of love and aspens
A quiet moment before the partying begins.

We may be biased (she is our niece after all) but we thought Sara was stunning and we could not be more pleased with her choice for a husband.  We were thrilled to be a part of this extraordinary day and wish Nick and Sara much love and happiness.