Gibbon Falls, Yellowstone National Park

Gibbon Falls, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Yellowstone National Park is not just about geysers and hot springs, it is also about wildlife, waterfalls, and beautiful vast open spaces. Let me first share with you one of the waterfalls we experienced in Yellowstone that is easily accessed by the roadside. This is waterfall without the hike. Later, I will share some waterfalls with the hike.

Wandering from Water to Land

One Beautiful Hiking Day from Torrey Pines to Del Mar

Summer is the time of the year where I most enjoy nature from water to land. For me, summer is the most wonderful time of the year. :) Last Saturday was our first time for the year 2015 to get into the water again. Oh boy, how I miss being in the water. If only the water does not get colder the longer I stay, I would stay in the water for as long as I could.

When I was still a kid, whenever I saw my mom looking for me, I would hide myself in the water. It was always a sad time to go home for home was out in the ocean for me. Thankfully, my concept of home expanded as I grew older. Though I still love the ocean, but I learned to love the mountains, the rivers, the woods, the desert, that home now for me extends everywhere. :)  I don't need to travel far to enjoy nature for nature is everywhere, and in nature I feel I am home. Even indoors at home, I still could enjoy the sounds of nature from the joyful singing of the birds and enjoy their wonderful and beautiful sight from the window.

Finding Nature at Home ( birds from the backyard )

Halema‘uma‘u Crater, Kilauea Volcano, Big Island, Hawaii

play of colors at Halema‘uma‘u Crater, Kilauea Volcano, Big Island, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

top left: the red sun, past sunrise
top right: Halema'uma'u Crater lighting the sky at dawn
middle right: sunrise
bottom right: crater lighting the sky at night
Bottom and middle left: thick clouds above the volcano

Sunset Walk

Ahhh, I know I haven't been so present here in my "joys of of simple life", but please know, I have never given up enjoying simple life, such as sunset walk....

It Was a Flying Sundate

 

For several years now, there's always a very long line at Potato Chip Rock each time we pass by it going to Mt Woodson summit. I still fondly remember the old days when we would spend a long resting time at the Chip and no one bothers. Thankfully, Mt Woodson is littered by so many fun boulders to play and fly.

Jasper National Park, Canadian Rockies + Glacier of USA Adventure Trip (4 )

Jasper National Park, AB, Canada

So many places..... so little time. 10 days of adventure in the Canadian Rockies were definitely not enough. Only that I also knew at the time of planning that we could not go beyond 10 days, not because we get tired physically, but I usually feel sick of outside foods. I guess that is the drawback of having a taste only for fresh vegetables, fish and fruits. It's hard to be away from the comforts of home. After a while, I feel weak, not from wandering and hiking, but from a lack of nutritious home prepared foods. But 10 days, were definitely enough for us to be inspired and rejuvenated. Nature's wonder is always a strong healing force for me. It is for that reason that our travels would always seek the healing power of nature's beauty.

Athabasca Glacier, Jasper National Park, AB, Canada

In this 4th part of the Canadian Rockies + Glacier of USA Adventure Trip series, I will be sharing some inspiring places we were blessed to enjoy at Jasper National Park. Jasper is the largest of Canada's Rocky Mountain National Parks and part of UNESCO World Heritage site. Its shimmering glaciers, abundant wildlife, crystal clear lakes, thundering waterfalls, deep canyons and evergreen forest, all surrounded by towering, rugged mountain peaks are some of the reasons why it is in UNESCO's World Heritage List – deemed by the World Heritage Committee to number among the most significant sights on earth.

Just a day before our wanderings here, we were heavily rained out at Yoho National Park. Heavily rained out, but very much thankful. That heavy rain was answered prayers. The Canadian Rockies at that time were battling wildfire at Banff and Jasper National Parks. Very thankfully, heavy rain poured just a day before we were set for Jasper, and it put off the fire in the area. There was no more threat of road closures in Columbia Icefield, and no more threat of not reaching our hotel at Jasper. :) It was a time to rejoice for us.

jumping for joy, no more hazy and smoky skies, no more wildfire