This image of The Big Sur captures the dramatic coastal view along California State Route 1 (Highway 1). This iconic stretch of highway is renowned for its breathtaking ocean vistas and rugged landscapes where the Santa Lucia mountains meet the Pacific Ocean. 

This area is part of the longest coastal road in California, running from Dana Point to Leggett. 

It is considered one of the most beautiful scenic highways in the world, featuring panoramic views and steep sea cliffs. My daughter and I took a trip to San Fransisco and this was such a favorite of the trip.

https://www.facebook.com/highway1roadtrip/posts/californias-most-iconic-coastal-route-highway-1-winds-through-some-of-the-worlds/1005351751619762/#

Construction began on January 5, 1933, and the bridge was opened to traffic on May 29, 1937.

At the time of its opening, it had the longest suspension bridge span in the world and was named one of the "Seven Wonders of the Modern World" by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1994.

Fun Fact: The weight of the Bridge, not counting the concrete anchorages, is 840 million pounds (382 million kg) - heavier than the Empire State Building.

My daughter and I had the best time on this trip. I was over the moon to see this marvel. But the red woods stole my heart. This was a marvel of man and the red woods were a marvel of nature.

https://www.goldengate.org/exhibits/facts-and-figures-about-the-bridge/

Moonstone beach itself is full of drift wood and one of the reasons that makes it so spectacular.  From small pieces to large tree stumps, this beach had it all.   You don’t see a lot of drift wood in Southern California.

I have always adored driftwood. This was a magical moment.

The Point Vicente Lighthouse is an iconic white tower that was built in 1926 to guide ships around the peninsula and is still in use by mariners today. 

It is a beautiful spot to view the ocean. My daughter and our son-in-law packed a a picnic and we enjoyed the glorious day.

I saw these wild oats in Colorado and I just had to capture their beauty. For me “sowing your wild oats” just means open up to your adventurous spirit. There’s beauty in taking a new unknown path. We learn so much about different parts of ourselves. You are never too old to sow your wild oats but also to tend to your own garden of balance.

There’s beauty in the untamed.

Wild Oats growing freely in Colorado.

Bixby Creek Bridge was completed in 1932. Its concrete arch bridge is one of the most photographed and celebrated landmarks on the Pacific Coast Highway. 

It spans 260 feet above a dramatic canyon and turquoise waters in Big Sur, California. The bridge is located approximately 13 miles south of Carmel.  and it is one of the tallest single-span bridges in the world.

My daughter and I had so much fun stopping to absorb all the beauty along Hwy 1 from Los Angles to San Fransisco. It was one of the best times of my life.

This image captures a moment at the Grand Canyon National Park, a natural wonder located in northwestern Arizona. It is often considered one of the natural Wonders of the World. The Grand Canyon's history spans nearly two billion years of geological time and over 13,000 years of human activity. 

https://www.grandcanyonnorth.com/plan/park-history#:~:text=A%20Canyon%20Carved%20by%20Time,you'll%20find%20quiet%20magic.

The image was taken of the scenic view of the Grand Canyon. My daughter and I were on a trip together to Los Angles where is was moving to for her film career. This is the 2nd time I got to enjoyed these views and I am so happy I got to see them with her.

It is believed that the Colorado Plateau was uplifted by tectonic forces starting around 75 million years ago. The canyon itself is considered geologically young, primarily carved by the flow and erosion of the Colorado River over the last five to six million years. 

https://www.grandcanyonnorth.com/plan/park-history#:~:text=A%20Canyon%20Carved%20by%20Time,you'll%20find%20quiet%20magic.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/national-parks/article/grand-canyon-national-park

The Beautiful Yosemite National Park, in California, featuring the Wawona Tunnel outlet, El Capitan: The massive granite cliff on the left. Bridalveil Fall: The prominent waterfall on the right. Half Dome: The distinct dome formation visible in the distance, centered in the valley. 

to learn more https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/yv.htm

Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America, with a total drop of 2,425 feet. The falls are composed of three sections: the Upper Fall, the Middle Cascades, and the Lower Fall. The water flow is most powerful in late spring, fed by melting snow from the Sierra Nevada mountains. 

To see other photos that are not mine but are gorgeous check this link out.

http://www.digital-images.net/Gallery/Scenic/Yosemite/Waterfalls/waterfalls.html#:~:text=Yosemite%20Falls%20is%20composed%20of%20six%20separate,visible%20from%20many%20places%20in%20the%20Valley.

This is an iconic "Tunnel View" in Yosemite National Park, California. I was mesmerized when I took this photo. It was taken during warm evening light and features famous landmarks of the Yosemite Valley. 

These Prominent features include El Capitan on the left, Bridalveil Fallin the center-right (seen as a stream of water), and Half Dome visible in the distance. I think it showcases the majestic scale of the glaciated valley with the towering granite cliffs and a forested landscape all around.

https://www.yosemite.com/things-to-do/leisure-activities/tunnel-view/

This photo was taken by me when my husband an I were celebrating my 60th birthday on a cruise aboard the Norwegian Sky in their State Room. It was absolutely wonderful because we had our own suite with a large private balcony. It was the best cruise I had ever been on because it was so private with private dining options. The water was crystal clear.

Th lighthouse is located at the western tip of Paradise Island in the Bahamas. It is known as the oldest and best-known lighthouse in the Bahamas and the oldest surviving lighthouse in the West Indies. It marks the northwest entrance to New Providence and the Port of Nassau. 

https://villamarysol-nassau.com/beacon-of-the-bahamas-discovering-the-history-of-the-nassau-harbour-lighthouse/

The image was taken from a view of the ocean through the Norwegian Sky’s porthole. My husband and I were celebrating my 60th birthday. It was the best cruise I have ever been on because we had our own private state room and special amenities. A great way to bring in the 3rd act of my life.

Moonstone Beach Beach is parallel Highway 1 in northern Cambria, California. The beach features a beautiful boardwalk stroll across the beachside bluffs. it is famous for the polished moonstones (chalcedony pebbles) that can be found along the shoreline.

https://www.watchingforrocks.com/2012/01/moonstones-and-california-beach.html#:~:text=Moonstone's%20presence%20on%20this%20central%20California%20beach,it%20becomes%20quite%20easy%20to%20spot%20them.

The image captures the iconic Painted Ladies of San Francisco, a row of Victorian and Edwardian houses known for their colorful facades. The term "Painted Ladies" refers to houses painted in three or more colors to highlight their intricate architectural details. 

The most famous row, pictured here, is located along Steiner Street, facing Alamo Square Park in San Francisco. 

These houses are a popular tourist attraction and one of the most photographed sights in the city, often called "Postcard Row".  The style reflects architecture from the Victorian era (1837-1901) and Edwardian era (1901-1910). 

https://realestatenovo.com/blog/a-guide-to-san-franciscos-iconic-painted-ladies-and-victorian-homes#:~:text=What%20Are%20the%20Painted%20Ladies?%20The%20term,row%20along%20Steiner%20Street%2C%20facing%20Alamo%20Square.

A beautiful sunset aboard the Norwegian Sky Cruise Ship in Nassau, Bahamas. What a great celebration for my 60th birthday! I am so grateful for the experience!

The image captures a breathtaking moment at the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, a natural wonder of the world. The scene, likely taken from the South Rim. The lighting in the image highlights the dramatic depth and shadows of the buttes and gorges within the canyon. 

My family and I had the most precious time visiting the majestic Cliffs of Moher on the west coast of County Clare, Ireland. It was a misty, windy cold day of glorious thrills. What a miraculous site to behold.

This traditional 19th-century Irish cottage is a part of the Bunratty Folk Park in County Clare, Ireland. The folk park is an open-air museum designed to recreate rural life surrounding the nearby Bunratty Castle. 

I love the old thatched roofs. There’s such a romantic feeling and allows me to connect to my Irish roots. I can just imagine my ancestors sitting by the fire laughing to Irish folk music.

I cannot do the Irish landscapes justice when trying to describe the many emotions that arise so I defer to Ireland’s favorite poetic.

Excerpts from the poem “The Stolen Child”
by William B Yeats

“Where the wave of moonlight glosses
The dim gray sands with light,
Far off by furthest Rosses
We foot it all the night,
Weaving olden dances
Mingling hands and mingling glances
Till the moon has taken flight;
To and fro we leap
And chase the frothy bubbles,
While the world is full of troubles
And anxious in its sleep.
Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand.”

It gives me chills. How about you?

The tower stands near the midpoint of the famous cliffs, which reach a height of 214 meters (702 feet) at their highest point. 

This tower was built in 1835 by Sir Cornelius O'Brien as an observation tower for tourists visiting the area. From the top of the tower, you can see the Aran Islands, the Maumturks and Twelve Pins mountain ranges, and Loop Head to the south. Even though this tower was built after all the ancient towers of Ireland, I love how it reminds us of times gone by from the early Christian architecture. This was first structure built after the Church assumed ownership of the Rock.  It’s definitely reflects the same feeling as all the other round towers you’ll find at monasteries around Ireland; it’s said these round towers are only to be found in Ireland

Excerpts from:

The Wanderings of Oisin: Book I by William Butler Yeats

“We galloped over the glossy sea:
I know not if days passed or hours,
And Niamh sang continually
Danaan songs, and their dewy showers
Of pensive laughter, unhuman sound,
Lulled weariness, and softly round
My human sorrow her white arms wound.
We galloped; now a hornless deer
Passed by us, chased by a phantom hound
All pearly white, save one red ear;
And now a lady rode like the wind
With an apple of gold in her tossing hand;
And a beautiful young man followed behind
With quenchless gaze and fluttering hair.
'Were these two born in the Danaan land,
Or have they breathed the mortal air?'“

The abbey was built between 1402 and 1433 by Sioda Cam MacNamara. It incorporates the ruins of a Norman castle built by Thomas de Clare in 1280. This Irish ruin is relatively well-preserved, featuring an intact cloister and a central tower. The presence and energy is still thriving with reminders of times of old.

https://visitclare.ie/places/quin/

When You Are Old

W. B. Yeats 1865 –1939

“When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;

How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;

And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.”

AN ancient Celtic cross at the Rock of Cashel, an historic site in County Tipperary, Ireland. The Rock of Cashel was the traditional seat of the Kings of Munster for centuries. It sits 200 ft. high above surrounding farmland. St. Patrick is said to have visited the rock and converted one of the kings to Christianity. 

It was an amazing day to feel the Irish winds blowing us all about high above the majestic landscape of 40 shades of green.

On the property is Cormac’s Chapel.  Ireland’s first Romanesque church and said to be its finest from this period, named for the king who consecrated it in 1134 A.D (King Cormac MacCarthy).

https://www.travelgumbo.com/a-visit-to-ireland-part-2-the-rock-of-cashel/#:~:text=There%20are%20few%20places%20in%20Ireland%20with,brief%20history%20of%20the%20Rock%20of%20Cashel:

This is the well-preserved 15th-century Franciscan ruin called Quin Abbey (also known as Quin Friary) in County Clare, Ireland. It’s a beautiful example of medieval Irish architecture.

 The abbey was constructed within the remains of an earlier Anglo-Norman castle built by Thomas de Clare around 1280. Building of the friary began in 1402 and was completed in 1433. It is considered one of the most intact Franciscan ruins in Ireland, despite lacking its original roof. 

http://monastic.ie/history/quin-franciscan-friary/#:~:text=The%20village%20of%20Quin%20is%20a%20fine,thirteenth%2Dcentury%20parish%20church%20dedicated%20to%20St%20Finghin.

To see the air view watch this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=22&v=hO2rE4Bzyn4&embeds_referring_euri=http%3A%2F%2Fmonastic.ie%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY

Kylemore Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland was one of my favorite places to visit in Ireland. On the way we passed the bridge from the movie “The Quiet Man”, an all time favorite of mine. Then we got the miracle of visiting with the Wild Ponies of Connemara. (see post above) and the unbelievable Irish landscapes.

This was definitely one of my favorite memories of my life.

The abbey was originally built as a castle in 1868 by Mitchell Henry, a wealthy businessman, as a romantic gift for his wife Margaret. Following the death of Margaret and later Mitchell Henry, the estate was sold, and in 1920 it became an abbey for Benedictine nuns fleeing war-torn Belgium. The abbey is nestled at the base of Druchruach Mountain and situated on the edge of a lake, with a Gothic church, and a six-acre Victorian walled garden. 

https://www.kylemoreabbey.com

Torc waterfall is formed by the Owengarriff River as it drains from the Devil's Punchbowl corrie lake on Mangerton Mountain down into Muckross Lake. It is approximately 66 ft high.The name "Torc" comes from the Irish word for "wild boar" and is linked to a local myth. It is a beautiful stop along the scenic Ring of Kerry. We also visited Muckross Abbey is both an Old Irish Monastery, we rode a jaunty car. Ross’s castle and the Gap of Dunloe.

https://www.discoverkerry.com/blog/post/10-must-see-sites-along-the-ring-of-kerry/

This photo shows the interior of Muckross Abbey, a well-preserved medieval Franciscan friary in Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Ireland. The abbey was founded in 1448 by Donal McCarthy Mor. 

It is largely roofless today but otherwise well-preserved, with safe access to the upper floors of the domestic ranges. 

The site has a turbulent history of violence and destruction, having been damaged and reconstructed multiple times. It served as the main burial place for the local McCarthy Mores and O'Donoghues chieftains, as well as prominent County Kerry poets in the 17th and 18th centuries. The name Muckross derives from the Irish word "mucros," meaning "pig wood". The abbey played a significant role in the religious and cultural life of medieval Ireland. It provided spiritual guidance, education, and refuge for both monks and the local community.

https://www.killarneyinternational.com/sightseeing/muckross-abbey/

This photo is a prominent stained-glass window located in the Gothic Church at Kylemore Abbey, County Galway, Ireland. The church was built by Mitchell Henry in memory of his wife Margaret. 

Depictions: The five main panels of the window depict five of the seven female virtues: Fortitude, Faith, Charity, Hope, Chastity.

https://www.kylemoreabbey.com

The castle dates back to the 16th century and is the ancestral home of the O'Brien clan. It is a five-star luxury hotel known for its extensive grounds and historic character. The lineage of the O'Briens traces back to Brian Boru, the last High King of Ireland. The first building constructed here seems to have been a tower house built in the 15th century and is recorded as being erected by Thomas Mac Anerheny. There were at least three houses on the site, at various times, called Dromoland. While Dromoland later became residence of eight generations of the O'Brien family, early records suggest that the area was also occupied by other local Gaelic families, such as the McInerney family during the 16th century.The image features the castle's facade with vibrant red ivy and manicured hedges in the foreground. 

https://www.castlefergusequestrian.com/local-attractions#:~:text=Dromoland%20Castle%20is%20a%20castle%2C%20now%20a,The%20present%20building%20was%20completed%20in%201835.

I love the thatch cottages of Ireland. It’s where you will find the heart and soul of these people. Family is home.

The Lake Isle of Innisfree by W. B. Yeats 1865 –1939

“I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee;
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet’s wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart’s core.”

https://poets.org/poem/lake-isle-innisfree

Irish thatched cottages, or teachíns, evolved from ancient building traditions, becoming widespread from the 17th century as simple, sustainable homes for tenant farmers, using local stone/mud for thick walls and straw/reeds for insulating thatch, peaking around the 1800s before slate roofs replaced them in the 1920s, leaving them as iconic symbols of rural Irish history. Thatched roofs are perhaps the most distinctive element of the Irish cottage silhouette. Thatching was not only a cost-effective roofing solution but also a renewable and locally sourced material.

https://turfincense.com/blogs/news/origins-of-irish-cottages

This photo was taken at Lough Bofin Lake which is known for its rugged peaceful Irish countryside in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland.  

The Rock of Cashel offers panoramic views of the rolling green countryside, the town of Cashel below, and distant hills.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsjGwZW9lDE

Ross Castle, a 15th-century tower house. The castle sits on the edge of Lough Leane and is a typical example of an Irish Chieftain's stronghold during the Middle Ages. 

It was built by the O'Donoghue Mór clan in the 15th century and was the last stronghold in Munster to resist Oliver Cromwell's forces. 

https://www.killarneyinternational.com/sightseeing/ross-castle/#:~:text=Ross%20Castle%20is%20a%20significant%20historical%20site,at%20Ross%20Castle%20and%20its%20historical%20significance:.

SweetT donkeys are a common and beloved sight in County Kerry, Ireland. They are often seen in rural areas, farms, and along scenic routes like the Ring of Kerry, with specific mentions near Killarney (Muckross House) and on the Great Blasket Island, serving as charming photo opportunities and part of the traditional Irish landscape, though many are rescued and cared for by organizations like the nearby Donkey Sanctuary in Cork. 

If you haven’t see the movie “the Quiet Man” with John Wayne and Maureen O'hara and you love Ireland than you need to check it out. This bridge was see in the movie. We were thrilled when I daughter saw it as we were driving by on our way to Kilkenny Abbey.

https://www.galwaytourism.ie/the-quiet-man-bridge/

Virgin Mary at the ruins of Quin Abbey in County Clare, Ireland. he abbey is a well-preserved 15th-century Franciscan friary. 

The original church building on the site was constructed by the MacNamara clan around 1350. 

The property was passed to the Franciscan order in 1433, who established a friary within the ruins of an earlier de Clare castle. 

https://heritageireland.ie/unguided-sites/quin-franciscan-friary/

The abbey is situated on the River Suir and takes its name from a relic of the True Cross or Holy Rood. 

It was originally founded in 1168 or 1169 by Donal Mor O'Brien for the Benedictines. 

After spending centuries in ruin, it was restored in the late 20th century and is used as a place of worship and pilgrimage. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGNKZ0tU6EQ

Rock of Cashel served as the seat of the kings of the Munster region and is the site where St. Patrick converted the king to Christianity in the 5th century.  The 12th century St. Patrick’s Cross is still located onsite.  Later it served as the capital for the famous Irish king, Brian Boru, and then became part of the church in the early 12th century.  The church built several buildings here, including Cormac’s Chapel and the round tower, dating from 1100!  

It has a grisly history from the times of Oliver Cromwell, who came to Ireland in the mid-17th century and fought its citizens.  His general attacked the town of Cashel, and its citizens fled to the cathedral on the Rock.  Due to the fire bombs and intense fighting, around 1000 people were killed. This event is now called the Sack of Cashel by historians.

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=rock+of+cashel+history&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:424fa95c,vid:q-O69Vnsa4M,st:49

The tower is constructed of coursed sandstone with limestone in the lower courses. The round tower is the oldest surviving building at the Rock of Cashel and was build c.1101 after the site was handed over to the church by Muircheartach Ua Briain as “…a gift to religion.” It is one of only a handful still standing to full height in Ireland

https://thehistorymom.com/2020/10/14/rock-of-cashel-ireland/

The circular design provided greater structural integrity, making them more resistant to attacks from catapults and battering rams, as blows would glance off.The history and purpose of the Towers are widely debated. Some believe that they were Bell Towers to call the faithful to prayer since they were mostly found near churches and monasteries. Some say they could have served as lookout posts, but the fact that many, like Glendalough, were built on sites unsuitable for surveying the countryside placing the watchtower theory in doubt. Historians familiar with the turbulent times in which they were built, between the 9th and 12th centuries, suggest that they were erected as a refuge for the monks and precious religious articles from rampaging Viking raids which occurred at that time. It also explains the entrance door being high above the ground for when attacks were imminent, the monks could enter the towers by a ladder which they would pull up behind them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsjGwZW9lDE&t=1127s

The Irish Jaunting Car, a distinctive two-wheeled, horse-drawn vehicle with back-to-back seating, 

emerged in early 19th-century Ireland, popularized by Charles Bianconi as public transport.

First appeared as public transport in Dublin around 1813, with Italian-Irish entrepreneur Charles Bianconi establishing a vast network using them in the 1820s.

"Jaunting": The name comes from "jaunt," meaning a short pleasure trip, and the vehicles were used for both everyday travel and leisure rides. 

Here is my family happily riding the Jaunting car.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaunting_car#:~:text=Jaunting%20cars%20lined%20up%20to,his%20horse%20and%20car%20business.

The house was designed by Scottish architect William Burn and completed in 1843. 

It is located on the Muckross Peninsula between Muckross Lake and Lough Leane, two of the famous Lakes of Killarney. 

Muckross House, a stunning Victorian mansion in Killarney National Park, was built for the Herbert family between 1839-1843 in Neo-Tudor style, designed by William Burn. After hosting Queen Victoria and facing financial decline, the estate was sold and later gifted to the Irish nation in 1932 by the Bourne Vincent family, becoming Ireland's first national park.

https://www.thedunloe.com/blog/muckross-house-and-gardens-a-brief-history

Pilgrims visited from all over Europe to view the relic of the ‘true cross’ or ‘holy rood’ from whence the Abbey it got its name. The relic was set in gold and adorned with precious stones and is believed to have been given to the Abbey by the plantagenet Queen Eleanor of Aquitane, widow of King John, in return for the monks kindness in burying her son who was murdered nearby in 1233. This young man 'Pierce the fair', by her second husband Le Brun, Count of La Marche would have been the half-brother of Henry III of England, whose successor Henry VIII would eventually suppress the abbey in 1536, causing it to be to be finally abandoned in 1633....

https://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com/holy-cross-abbey.html

One of my favorite songs to listen when I was a young adult in was Christopher Cross’s iconic soft rock song "Sailing". The tranquil lyrics were about escape, freedom, and finding peace.

After years and years of dreaming of a dream home I finally got my dream. I knew there would be a special place for us to move to but I had no idea where it would be. We could choose anywhere we wanted to live. One day I heard a soft voice inside say look into Sarasota. I was shocked but it would be close to Disney World (my husband always wanted to live choose to it (I did not!) and it would be near the ocean (my dream) So we packed up and stored our things and move without even having a house to move into. I was a very fun adventure! I took this photo not only after we moved. I think it says it all.

“Well, it's not far down to paradise
At least it's not for me
And if the wind is right you can sail away
And find tranquility
Oh, the canvas can do miracles
Just you wait and see
Believe me.

t's not far to never never land,
No reason to pretend.
And if the wind is right you can find the joy,
Of innocence again.
Oh, the canvas can do miracles,
Just you wait and see.
Believe me.

I LOVE all beaches. The beach at Moonstone Beach along Hwyy 1 was a wonderful treasure to experience. I always feel the magic of the ocean. It expands my heart and teaches me how to open up to my dreams. I learn and relearn how manifestation works. It’s all about gratitude, belief and release. The ebb and flow like the ebb and flow of the ocean reminds us to “row, row, row, our boat gently down the stream because merrily, merrily, merrily life is but a dream.

Chesapeake Bay is the US's largest estuary, with extensive shoreline, diverse wildlife, and a mix of deep/shallow areas. A sailor’s dream. My brother got his dream of having a sail boat on the Chesapeake Bay. What a grand time we had. I love the freedom sailing brings. Wind, water and sky brings a light open inner child heart alive.

I always wanted to visit Ruby Falls as a child. I saw billboards everywhere. But it never happened. We get so busy with life and we loose sight on treasures that are right around us. So one day after my husband and I had moved to Little Rock Arkansas I took myself there. I love the Lantern Tours on where the cave and waterfall are lit with a beautiful colorful light show. Some think it is cheesy but I thought it is mesmerizing to see. I think it made the rock formations vibrant and alive. Sometimes cheesy is fun.

The falls are incredible and magnificent to behold. There are beautiful gardens and the trail up is so uplifting.

Looking out from the Lover's Leap viewpoint, you can see panoramic views that are said to span seven states. It was a dream I finally gave to myself.

Dreams do come true…they might take a while but they come if you never stop believing.

I love how my inner child never gives up on my dreams. She holds them in my heart and keeps them alive. This was a wonderful manifestation I got to experience. I am so thankful that my inner child never forgot her dream of experiencing Ruby Falls. I will always treasure this day!

Airport Vortex located in the red rock Sedona mountains contains a high energy vortex that is known to be healing. It attracts people from around the world to meditate in the silence that lifts the spirit and allows room for self-exploration. The vortices of Sedona are said to be particularly powerful due to these swirling, cosmic forces that emanate from the red rocks.

Airport Vortex in particular is said to contain a swirling vortex of high energy and I found it to be a wonderful quiet place for contemplation and reflection.

https://canyonvilla.com/blog/airport-mesa-vortex

To me that Sedona Red Rock Formation reminds me of the Egyptian phoenix. I love the power it commands.

Native American tribes like the Yavapai and Apache considered these red rock formations sacred places for rituals and healing, sensing the land's inherent power.

Cathedral Rock is Sedona’s most spiritual sited red rock formation of sandstone butte.

The Native Americans (Hopi, Yavapai) believed it to be a , a sacred power spots for ancient rituals some even call it the birthplace of humanity. it is said to be a feminine energy Vortex that is associated with receptive, emotional, and healing energy, fostering self-care and compassion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWdYEQ2F-iQ

The Sonoran Desert is a vast, biodiverse hot desert and it is known as the only place where the iconic Saguaro cactus grows wild. It is also known as the "wettest" desert, supporting its vibrant life.

I just had to jump out of the car and snap a photo on our way to Sedona from Phoenix.

https://friendsofsaguaro.org/sonorandesert#:~:text=Considered%20the%20wettest%20desert%20in,characteristics%20of%20the%20Sonoran%20Desert.

Life is teeming even in the silence at Courthouse Butte vortex seems to be vibrant and alive. It’s an unspoken dialogue between earth and sky that humbles everyone who listens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg_Tsz5vVqw&t=6s

This photo speaks volumes of the beauty of Sedona, Arizona. I instantly fell in love with its natural beauty, spiritual energy and history.

I love cacti. I didn’t know this Prickly Pear cactus are in fact edible. It’s savory and can be cooked or grilled.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLYUfEsMIle/#

t is a Roman Catholic church, but it is open to people of all faiths most days of the year.

The chapel is said to be built on one of Sedona's famous vortexes, which are areas believed to be centers of energy.

The unique structure was completed in 1956 and juts out from a 1,000-foot cliff face, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

https://onegirlwholeworld.com/north-america/chapel-holy-cross-sedona/

I love the way the rust of this old bridge manifested into art so I snapped it up when I live there 10 years ago. It was originally called the Choctaw Bridge then it became the Rock Island Railroad Bridge. I think it is so beautiful.

"The crackling sounds of an old and tired bridge might best be understood by an old and tired person but everyone can appreciate their beauty.

I see this bridge like the song by Paul Simon, “Bridge over Trouble Waters”. Little Rock has gone through a lot of trouble times.

Each crack, groove, nail hole, and color variation tells a unique story of exposure to sun, rain, snow, and wind over many seasons. The deep textures evoke a sense of history and a "lived life". We all weather and even may feel rusty with time but beauty never dies.

I believe aging is not time of dying but rather a time of harvest. It’s a wonderful stage to review one’s life and see the beauty of the journey from an entirely new perspective. A glorious time to intimately know ourselves just as we are in each glorious moment. It’s a quiet time of inner peace. Everything slows down so the true beauty can be found. This chapter of life brings us closer to our youthful curiosity that was present when we were a young child. Of course one must be close with their heart of gratitude to see and experience this beauty…but its there just below the external physical aging.

I love the beauty found in rust. Its such a great reminder that nothing stays the same and isn’t that beautiful?

If you are a train lover like me you will love The Heart of Dixie Train Museum in Calera, Alabama. It features a large rail yard with historic locomotives, cabooses, and cars. I love the beauty of rust and how it transforms into a natural art. Check out this video below for information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDeqa8_ZtUU

The beauty found in transformational phases of rust is a natural art that cannot be compared. This old train has ran its last time on the track many moons ago but it has not lost it beauty and respect for a well done job. The beauty in the rust shines through transforming this old railroad car into a new form of beauty to be admired.

Our ability to see beauty in life keeps us young. I love seeing how life transforms everything. Every stage has its beauty.

A photo taken of an old rusted truck.

“We may grow old, rugged, rusted, tired and worn out but through grace we can be renewed and young at heart.”

I snapped this old truck somewhere in Little Rock Arkansas. I don’t exactly recall but it was a beauty and then I found this poem and I felt they belong together.

The Turquoise Ghost

In a field where the tall grass whispers low,
Sits a turquoise ghost from a long ago.
Her chrome is gone to the red of rust,
And her tires are buried in Georgia dust.

Once she hummed with a V8 song,
Hauling the harvest all summer long.
The bench seat’s torn where the sun broke through,
Fading the shine of that ocean blue.

A cracked side mirror reflects the pine,
Still holding the ghost of a border line.
Though the engine’s silent and the tailgate’s stuck,
There’s a whole lot of life in that old country truck.

American author and poem by James N. LaRoche

"Elegance is the only beauty that never fades"
(Audrey Hepburn