Do you remember vacations as a kid? I can recall living for vacations. My family would always go to the Gulf of Mexico and stay in a motel on Florida’s Panhandle. We traveled to Flarda, as it’s pronounced in the South, to swim, lie in the sun, play in the surf, and deep sea fish. Continue reading “Need a Reason to Get Away? Here You Go!”
Category Archives: Beauty of Nature
Does the Earth Love You?
If you’ve been around Micro of the Macro for a while, no doubt you’ve read a lot about the benefits of spending time in Nature. For example, being at the beach can reduce stress & cancer risk. Interacting with animals can result in improved heart & immune function. Visiting a waterfall can reduce chronic pain. Continue reading “Does the Earth Love You?”
Return to West Fork
Recently, on a perfect spring morning, we hiked the West Fork trail that runs alongside, and repeatedly crosses, Oak Creek. (You may recall my description and photos of this creek and trail in a past post, Red Rocks on the Water.) It’s one of the most popular hikes in the Sedona/Oak Creek area, and weContinue reading “Return to West Fork”
The Waterfall Effect
As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I’ll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche. I’ll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can. ~John Muir When I see the word waterfall,Continue reading “The Waterfall Effect”
Red Rocks on the Water
The lovely little desert town of Sedona, Arizona, has more than 400 miles of trails for hiking and biking, and is surrounded by 1.8 million acres of forest land, according to visitsedona.com. Not bad for a destination known for its spas and luxury resorts! The rich colors of Sedona’s earth and trees are a delightContinue reading “Red Rocks on the Water”
America’s Mystical Poet
It was way back in November of 2022 that I last wrote an entire post about poetry (The Gift of Rumi), so I’m super excited to share this follow-up. I’ve long been a fan of spiritual poetry. To hear it read at church opens my heart like nothing else. When I heard Rev. Lauri GistContinue reading “America’s Mystical Poet”
Earth Rocks!
Wikipedia defines rock as any naturally occurring solid mass or aggregate of minerals that form the Earth’s outer solid layer, the crust, and most of its interior. In my opinion, that’s a really boring description of a natural element that contains such diverse beauty! I didn’t used to be a fan of rock, simply becauseContinue reading “Earth Rocks!”
The Wilderness Connection
I’ve just finished reading Scott Stillman’s book Wilderness: The Gateway to the Soul. It evokes many of the feelings and musings I experienced while exploring the wilds of this country. I realize now that the words I’ve used in describing my 3-year experience (of road tripping, tent camping, hiking, photographing natural beauty, and finding myContinue reading “The Wilderness Connection”
Snowscapes
Before moving to the Southwest, I remember hearing on national news about the havoc caused by large amount of snow deposited in northern Arizona in January of 2010, just four months before my planned relocation. A total of 56 inches fell that month; the majority in a single week. As a result, roofs collapsed, thereContinue reading “Snowscapes”
Grandfathers of the Sonora Desert
We recently vacationed in southern Arizona. The weather was warm and dry, and we enjoyed hiking, biking, and riding horses through the desert. Saguaro cactus plants were plentiful and huge. Visiting Saguaro National Park, we saw some that towered over us. I’ve learned a lot about the growth of saguaros. I was surprised to findContinue reading “Grandfathers of the Sonora Desert”
Micro of the Macro 