Sunday, December 06, 2015

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

Monday, November 09, 2015

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.


Saturday, November 07, 2015

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

Saturdate with the Birds

Grebes and Cormorants at Lake Hodges.

I am Dreaming of Sand

Father Crowley Point, Death Valley National Park
My mind is just blank and tired right now, and of all places, I have been missing and really aching to go back to the desert! Though we have lots of sand here from the beaches in San Diego, but I am missing the desert's sand!

I truly miss the time I am rolling and hiking in this desert full of sand!

to better understand my appreciation for the desert as much as the mountains and the oceans, you can visit my post here "The Desert Through My Eyes".
Anyway, have been everywhere today, I believe that's what happen when the mind is very tired! You just simply want to walk...walk...and walk....and enjoy the fullness of life in our natural world! Here's my weekend reality right now in San Diego, thankfully, though have been busy, but the outdoors have not taken a backseat at all.
Life by the Beach ( would you believe this is actually right next to the beach? )
My fish find at the beach :)
Some Wildflowers by the Beach
Up the Mountains
Colors @ The Mountains
The Hills and Valleys


Thursday, October 29, 2015

Moments in Time Trail

Me, Enchanted By The Moss Covered Trees, Moments In Time Trail, Olympic National Park
Moments In Time Trail was not a hike we planned at all, we encountered this trail when we were looking for food. Our day did not really start so well, we left Bellingham raining and foggy, and it was raining still when we got to Port Angeles. When we stopped by at Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles for information on weather and trail conditions at Hurricane Ridge, the park ranger pointed to us the live video at Hurricane Ridge showing zero visibility, snowing and very windy. He advised us it is not the right time to hike up there because of such conditions, unless we are crazy about snow and wind ( we got too much snow already at North Cascades and we were not looking for more snow in the summer!). A little bit disappointed because of the weather conditions, we proceeded to drive West to Forks. Little did we know that Port Angeles would be the last city we will see before reaching Forks, and we were really very hungry. Of course, we have survival foods in the car, such as our hiking bars and nuts, but then, we wanted real foods, hot foods. I grabbed our GPS for foods, and it brought us to Lake Crescent.
Glacially Carved Lake Crescent
The first structure we saw at Lake Crescent was the Olympic National Park Ranger Station. We parked there first and went to the station to talk to the Park Ranger for more information regarding the area. He told us that the only warm foods we can find is at Lake Crescent Lodge which is 0.5 mile from the station. Because the lodge is only half a mile from the station, we decided to just walk instead of driving to there. 
Wildflower Meadow at Park Ranger Station
Our walk from the ranger station to Lake Crescent Lodge was not on a trail but on the side of the road. While walking, we saw the very enchanting moss hanging on the trees, and wondered if there is a trail inside the forest that we can walk instead of walking on the road.
Road Between Lake Crescent Lodge and Park Ranger Station
When we were near the lodge, we saw the "Moments In Time Trail" that is only a 2/3 mile loop. We had lunch first at the lodge, and then on our return back to the ranger station, we took this trail, and walked inside the forest which was a lot safer than walking on the road. 
Inside Moments In Time Trail
Stepping inside "Moments in Time" trail was like stepping back in time and felt so out of this world. Perhaps because it was our first time to walk inside an old growth forest with moss covering the trees. Also,somehow, in my thoughts, the mossy trees kept me singing "Somewhere In Time". I am singing now :) ....somewhere in time, we met on timeless hills, and in the evening mist we kissed and time stood still.......:)
Moments In Time Trail Passing through Lake Crescent Surrounded By Evergreen Covered Mountains
Here are some more pictures from Moments in Time Trail:
Interesting Tree I still Have To Know the Name
Wild Rose
More Moss
Want To Join Me Sitting Here?
Moments In Time Trail is one of those wonderful trails that we met accidentally. Finding Moments In Time Trail is like how I look at life as a wonderful journey, like a hike with ups and downs, passing through crossing trails, some switchbacks, and sometimes, some surprising scenic turns. Moments in Time was such a surprise scenic turn in our journey at Olympic National Park. 

Sunday, October 04, 2015

Sulphur Works, Lassen Volcanic National Park

Geothermal Action at Sulphur Works
Unlike Bumpass Hell which can only be seen after a good work-out (hiking), Sulphur Works on the other hand is one of the geothermal feature in Lassen Volcanic National Park that can be seen by visitors right from the road. However, compared to Bumpass Hell, Sulphur Works is very small in area. Though small in area, but it features fumaroles, mudpots, hot steam, boiling water, stinky hydrogen sulfide gas and other geothermal features.

Wednesday, September 02, 2015

Experience the Restorative Power of Nature

from last weekend's play in nature

If you spend your days rushing from one task to another or multi-tasking in an attempt to reach the end of your "to do" list, you could be harming your physical and mental health and damaging your relationship with others. Studies have shown that spending time in nature can be healing, relaxing, restorative and personally beneficial on many levels. With that in mind, perhaps making a reservation at a serene location such as beavers bend cabin lodging should be at the top of your list of things to do.

Physical relaxation

One of the best ways to use your vacation time is to plan a trip to a destination that offers you abundant opportunities to spend time in nature. Activities such as fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, canoeing and numerous other activities that put you in the midst of a natural setting can relieve stress. Stress can have a direct impact on your physical health. Once you experience the exhilaration and pleasure that comes from spending time in nature, you can make a commitment to add "personal time outdoors" to your daily or weekly schedule once you return from vacation.

Restoring relationships

When a couple or a family hurriedly goes through each day barely taking time to talk with each other, the relationship suffers. Escaping to a retreat that offers you lots of outdoor family adventure can remind you of how essential it is to regularly set aside time for outdoor family activities. Couples can become disconnected when their schedules leave little time for romantic moments and heart-felt discussions. A secluded cabin in the woods, with a hot tub and fireplace, is the ideal setting to rekindle a romance. Arrive there with no preset plans and simply let nature inspire you and guide you.

Spending time in nature can help you regain perspective. With time to ponder and reflect, you can often see things more clearly. When your body is tired and your mind cluttered with an array of thoughts, it's difficult to focus on an individual situation or make an important decision. A walk in the woods or a day of fishing can clear your mind and help you regain focus. After spending time in nature, you might decide to make some lifestyle changes that allow you to slow down and become more deeply connected with yourself and with those you love.

6 of My Most Favorite Experiences in a National Park

In celebration of the 99th birthday of the National Park Service, which was last Tuesday, August 25, 2015, let me share here 6 of my most favorite National Park Experiences. These are the memories that definitely sent my heart pounding, struck me stronger and where they revisit me more than the other experiences.
My top 6 favorite National Park Experiences

1. Hiking the Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Me at Cedar Ridge, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

I won't deny that that probably the grandest view of the Grand Canyon is at the driving viewpoints at the rim, so why would we endure leg killer hike and the physical exhaustion of hiking more than 16 miles with 5000 ft descent/ascent?

Personally, if probably I only viewed Grand Canyon from the top, I may not find the experience as one of my most memorable experiences in a National Park to be listed in this post. I must say that I have deeper appreciation and felt a stronger connection to Grand Canyon after I scaled its depth from the rim down to the river. It's very hard to explain the joy I found every step of the way in hiking the Grand Canyon. Deep down the canyon, one could see so much more the very diverse life in a desert, and could see so much more of how Grand Canyon beautifully tells our Earth's history. 
some of the images from our Grand Canyon hike
For me, viewing Grand Canyon from the top is seeing its grandness, which thankfully, that is available to everyone who visits Grand Canyon. Hiking down is understanding in every detail why Grand Canyon is considered to be the greatest geological showcase on Earth. As we went deeper into the canyon, I felt I was digging deeper into the natural history of the Earth hidden in those layers of rock. 

The Grand Canyon hike was not only a mental and physical endurance test, it was so much more than that. An experience I know I will forever be thankful of, and the memories will continue to knock on my heart from time to time bringing so much happiness and inspiration. 

2. Hiking Harding Icefield Trail, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
Me, Above Exit Glacier, one of the many outflowing glaciers of Harding Icefield, and looking through Nanutaks ( or glacial islands ), Kenai Fjords National Park, AK

Just like hiking the Grand Canyon, the memories of this hike will forever beautifully haunt my memories and inspire my senses. From the face of its outflowing glaciers to the end of the trail, I felt like indeed I was taking the giant staircase towards the Ice Age. Like the Grand Canyon hike which is not all about rocks, Harding Icefield hike is not all about ice. There's so much diversity in this hike that helps us take a closer look at our interconnectedness.  Like Grand Canyon, this hike is not only a test of physical fitness and endurance, but provides so much life's lessons that draws the heart to it during our entire journey. 

From the start of the trail at the valley floor, to the end of the trail, the joy was so unexplainable as I see for myself the changes which before I only read in books. Changes such as the change in vegetation as we go higher, understanding the tree line, and how other forms of life such as us are supported by the presence of  these thick layers of ice. 
some of the images from our Harding Icefield hike
This hike was both joyful and spiritually moving. Nowhere in our travels before had we seen a place like Harding Icefield, which to us was like a walk on the moon. We could not contain our joy that brought us jumping many times, jumping that felt like flying. Could you see me flying in one of the pictures above? That was from the joy we found in the hike. At the same time, it was so spiritually moving. The vast ice surrounding us, the brutal frigid wind, the overwhelming silence where we could hear the glacier cry ( or hear the flow of the melting glacier ) and the roaring of the river and the waterfalls coming from the melting ice was pounding my heart more than the uphill struggle of hiking through rocks and ice. 

Looking at the turquoise blue I saw the fragile beauty of the Earth. Listening to the cracking and melting of glacier, was like listening to her cries, where her tears we meet through river streams and the ocean where we swim. It was hard not to say a prayer, a prayer of thanksgiving, a prayer of surrender, a prayer of silence, for I know God listens through the beatings of our heart, and that, hopefully, we all work together towards a healthier and happier Mother Earth. Nature may survive and endure without us, but we can not survive without her. 

3. Hiking the Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah
Virgin River, the trail of the Narrows hike, Zion National Park
Unlike Grand Canyon and Harding Icefield, this hike borders more on "FUN" than physically challenging. For me, this was my most fun hike. I guess, it is my affinity for river streams that made me enjoy the hike from start to finish, and where I simply forget about the educational part of this trip, haha! Most of the time, whenever we hike, I connect it with learning, I can't help it being a teacher of Math and Science which abound so much in nature around us. But in this hike, I forgot about the Science, all I know I was traversing in the river of FUN!! And oh well, how much fun it was!! Though of course, I did learn a lot from this hike, but the learning did not come until probably we were back home, as I recall the memories and what were happening in our hike. 
Fun, and More Fun during the Narrows Hike
If the criteria of choosing my most memorable experiences in a National Park is simply about having the most fun, no doubt this would be my number one. I was so fascinated by the majestic curves of the canyon that was shaped by the river. And unlike other canyons where the river has dried already and I could no longer see the action of water, in this hike, we are seeing and experiencing the Virgin River which continually shapes Zion National Park. Notice how we are so goofy in the above pictures, somehow, the very powerful force that was present on us during the hike was spelled F-U-N!! One of those rare hikes that I do not take a close look at the colors of the rock wondering what minerals may be present and what chemical reactions are presently taking place ( I know, I have so much nerdy tendencies ), instead, I was more like, "yey, there's so much water in the desert!! Who says the desert is dry?!!! The desert is AMAZING!!!"

4. Glacier Calving, Aialik Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
Glacier Calving, Aialik Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
Some of my chosen experiences in this post is about fun, some more about a walk in time learning of Earth's history in rocks and ice, this experience for me was more spiritual than fun. I know I may have shed some tears as I watched and listened to the glacier cry during our hike in Harding Icefield. 

Experiencing the glacier carving froze me, and where for a moment, I could not hear what the National Park guide was explaining to us in the boat. I was just like frozen there, overwhelmed by the cracking, roaring, and rumbling sound of the falling ice, which was many times louder than a thunder. As tears were flowing down my face, I had to wipe them off secretly since I was too embarrassed to be seen crying. But it's just me, I am easily drawn emotionally of what I see that sometimes I don't even know why tears are falling. What I learned from glacier calving is how wildlife could lead us to safety, something probably that we may have learned already before.

Before the calving happened, maybe a few seconds before the sound surprised us, birds that were before flying into the mountains were flying away from it. To me, they know of something to happen because they are so used to listening and feeling Earth to their safety and advantage, which we as humans may not be comfortable of. I know a lot of humans are not comfortable of silence, when they hear no sound, they keep on talking, and talking so they forget about their fears of silence, which sadly makes us also forget to listen to what nature tells us. 
Before, During and After Glacier Calving, Aialik Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
Witnessing glacier calving however was not all about sadness that the ice is melting and that the glacier is hollow. As what the naturalist guide shared to us, the harbor seals and the sea otters would benefit greatly from the ice fall. Indeed, with God, there is a very beautiful purpose for everything. These smaller sea creatures actually use the icebergs that flow out from the glacier as their safe overhaul away from their predators such as bears and killer whales because they don't usually hunt on ice-choked fjords. The fjord is the sanctuary of these wildlife making the fjords actually the richest assemblages of life on Earth. 

My number 2, and number 4 experiences are so much connected because it is in the same park, Kenai Fjords National Park. One was hiking to see the massive field of ice above, and one was by boat to see the behavior of the bottom ice, and how they help maintain a balance of life here on Earth. 

The memories of Aialik Glacier calving continues to linger in me, because its dynamic changes serves as a very good example of why everything has a purpose, a beautiful purpose, despite sometimes it may appear as not. 

5. First Experience of a Grizzly Bear on a Hike, Grinnell Glacier Trail, Glacier National Park, Montana
Grizzly Bear, Glacier National Park, Montana ( photo not taken during that hike, but on that same day near the trail head of the encounter )

Perhaps, this is the experience that pounded my heart the most. At first, it was more of fear, then, next, was more of excitement, on seeing we are actually very safe when the bear walked away from us. It was then I realized, that true enough, bears don't mean to harm us, they are more afraid of us than us of them. However, when we catch them by surprise, that is when they could attack humans, as their instinct to defend themselves. 

When we hiked here. we saw Park Ranger ahead of us. Park Rangers were actively monitoring the area because of sightings of bear in the trail. We were told to always make noise ( which we do, our singing talent comes out on hikes like these where we may encounter bears), and carry a bear spray. And if we see bears, we SHOULD NOT RUN as that will shock them. Instead, we should aim to appear taller and slowly walk backwards so that they will know we are not a threat. No one was running away very thankfully ( who would run when the other hikers would keep on saying, STAY DON'T RUN, SLOWLY WALK BACKWARDS IF YOU MUST BUT DON'T RUN), thus the bear simply walked away from us until it was nowhere of our sight. 

In this hike, I realized:
1. No man is an island. I always love people in the trail because they are so friendly, and calm, and very very helpful. 
2. That a family who hikes and sings together, bonds stronger. 
3. That we don't let our fears stop us, instead, we let our fears teach us to manage and overcome them so we could move on and explore life more beautifully and healthily. 
4. I could forget about photography. The picture above was not taken during that encounter, but when we were driving away from the trailhead already, with a 400 mm lens, and further cropped. I did take pictures of the bears in the trail, but that was when they were at a distance I know they couldn't get to us because they were far up on the mountain at the other side of the river. 

6. Experiencing the Action and Colors in Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park
I thought after seeing all the erupting geysers and all the beautiful lakes and waterfalls at Yellowstone, I could not be more awed anymore. I thought I have seen the best, of what I came for. But I was wrong. 

As we were approaching this geothermal feature, we passed by a river, a waterfall, and a Crater Geyser, which all of them took my breath away. I did not want to leave  the Crater Geyser for it was just so fascinating to see. But then, when I looked around, I saw a thick blue vapor rising. I was wondering what it was, so with hesitation I left the crater geyser and continued my walk. I am glad I did, for this was my most beautiful experience at Yellowstone.

It felt so unreal what I was seeing that time for I have not seen such action of thermophilic bacteria before that resulted in such a beautiful sight. Just like my other chosen experiences in this post, I froze for a bit, overwhelmed by such beautiful feature of Earth in front of me. My heart was singing thanksgiving and praises, and at the same time taking joy to every passersby who would show equal admiration and saying, "ahh, heaven on Earth!". It's only after a while of letting the experience sink in that I slowly dug my camera from my backpack and took pictures to help me bring these so joyful memories home.

I am so glad and grateful for these experiences, for they directed me away from things. Though I am not denying the fact that we do buy things, but most often, they are to help us gain better experiences when we go outside to explore, to make our experiences more pleasant, not frightening that will cause us to fear and not explore nature.

There are so much benefits to exploring nature. For me, all I know is that my Flonase, Proventil, Claritin, and other maintenance medications I used to be dependent on when I was younger now simply expires because I hardly need them since I started to pick up Nature Rx as medicine. 

Also, I used to whine before a day or two in a month of being not able to do anything because of very bad stomach cramps, but since I picked up the Hiking Rx to spend with nature, I am very glad to say that there's no wrong time of the month anymore to go hiking and exploring nature. 

Bouts of allergies,asthma, monthly pains, migraines, are becoming less and less the more I take the natural prescription of Nature, which thankfully I don't feel I am getting overdosed.

And the more I take Nature, the more joyful memories I have that I could flip through whenever I need lots of doses of it. 

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Bishop Mini Get Away

This was actually a last minute trip. Before coming to Bishop, we had reservations at John Muir Lodge in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. However, there were 3 wildfires developing in these 2 National Parks. The day I had to cancel our reservation ( guests could cancel at least 72 hours for full refund), the Rogue fire north of Grant Grove was not threatening the area yet, and all of the roads leading to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park were open. Despite no closures at that time in the park yet, I canceled our reservation since I wanted to be safe. I know, I can always pursue my dream to shoot the Perseid meteor shower and Milky Way with the giant sequoias ( world's largest trees) at some other time.
some places we explored around Bishop
After canceling our reservations last Wednesday, I tried to look for an alternative location to shoot the Perseid meteor shower and Milky Way. Of course, there is Anza Borrego Desert State Park, the one closest to San Diego. However, the desert this time of the year is very hot. I am not yet at that level of braving the desert heat in the summer. I looked at the weather forecast for Big Sur, since I thought the Milky Way and the ocean would be so perfect. Though I live close to the ocean but the city does not have enough dark light to allow residents to gaze at a beautiful starry filled sky. Sadly (though I expected it ), there were no more vacancy in all of Big Sur being a very popular and world known summer destination.

I thought then of hiking in the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains. I called Bishop Chamber of Commerce if they have health hazards warning in the area from the Rogue fire in Kings Canyon National Park, which is in the western side of the Sierra Nevada. The lady told me their mountains are not affected by fire and they do not get health warnings yet. I asked then for sky quality for possible Milky way photography in the night, and she told me the southeast sky is very clear, so should be very okay. After that call, I checked availability in Bishop, and felt so thankful I was able to book 3 nights, Saturday-Monday nights.

When we reached Bishop about noon time Saturday, the sky was very blue and so clear. I was like, "wow! great! I would have a grand time tonight!" To escape the heat in the desert valley ( the town of Bishop is in the desert valley, its mountain however is about 20-30 degrees cooler due to high altitude), we went up Bishop Creek Canyon to do some hikes. Since it is our first day hiking at high altitude, we chose a short one for our acclimatization hike. We hiked North Lake to Grass Lake.
Grass Lake and North Lake at Bishop Creek Canyon

Friday, August 14, 2015

I am Koalafornia Dreaming.

Koala @ San Diego Zoo

One of my favorite exhibits at San Diego Zoo are the koalas, I simply can't help but stop by their exhibit whenever I go to the zoo. I find them so cute and so fluffy that I wish I can give them a hug or carry them in my arms. The San Diego zoo koala exhibit has the most number of koalas outside of Australia. The koalas can be found at the 3-acre Australian exhibit that features aside from the koalas, wombats, wallabies, and other Australian animals and birds.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Nature and Exercise

La Jolla Shores from Up the Cliffs to Land

Nature makes me high. Thankfully, enjoying nature makes me exercise as well. Though exercising alone would be very tough for me to do probably despite I know the great benefits our heart, body and mind gets from it, simply because I do not have the motivation to do so had I not found the joy of being out in nature. But with nature, I am motivated. I am motivated to lace up my shoes and hike. I am motivated to put on that very hard to wear wetsuit to endure the cold water to swim with the fishes for hours. And each time I go home from enjoying nature I always have something to take home, such as priceless memories and some pictures from my cell phone. :)
photos from Torrey Pines State Reserve
Or some videos from my cell phone and point and shoot camera(if underwater),
One Fine hiking, snorkeling and tidepooling day at La Jolla Shores

Oh before you get scared for us swimming with the leopard sharks, they are very harmless species of sharks that are bottom feeders whose very small mouth are not capable of biting or endangering humans. If in case you are in La Jolla Shores, some kids may scare you shouting, "shark...shark...", and when you show a frightened face, some kids are quick to tell you, "oh, they are very friendly sharks, you can swim with them!" Not all sharks are born equal, just like whale sharks, leopard sharks are harmless to humans.

Anyway, all pictures above from last weekend's wanderings in nature, where we get not only nature inspiration and therapy, but also exercise, rejuvenating body, heart and mind.


"Wholesome exercise in the free air, under the wide sky, is the best medicine for body and spirit." -- Sarah Louise Arnold

Friday, July 31, 2015

Thankful Thursdate with Myself: Alone But Not Lonely

 
I love having a date with myself. :) I think I have been doing this since I was a kid. Though I love the company of my brothers, but I always would find a chance to spend time with myself even just outside the house, watching the leaves flutter with the wind, watching the passing clouds, or if it as night, watched the twinkling of the stars. Actually, since I was a child, my favorite praying place is my playing place, outside.

When I was in college, I started dating myself far from home. I would take time out to go to the nearest beach. I enjoyed my time alone, walking, eating, listening to the waves. It's during those times actually I problem solved complex problems I was working at school, or simply writing essays. 

From the nearby beach, I started going to the mountains by myself, as I love the sound in the woods and in the river. It's during those times I found I could come out with very good ideas for my thesis writing. Though I always need to go back to school for the experimentation part of my research, but when I need thorough examination and processing of data, I would prefer out from school, and to the mountains I go.

But I don't seek out a date with myself only when I need to process deep thoughts. I go out alone when I am happy, when I feel celebrating, when I am full of thanksgiving, when I feel sad, etc. My favorite date with myself is at the beach since somehow the powerful sound of the crashing waves sets forth a deep sense of peacefulness within me. 

Thus, I am okay alone, life is good! I am okay with friends, life is good! I am okay with family, life is good. I am okay with husband, life is good! Life is good, for God is good, all the time!

So yesterday was one of those many days of summer I go out on a date with myself. :)  Hubby is at work, while I am still in summer break. 

I started my date of course with a stop at Grill City in Mira Mesa, which is a Filipino eatery that serve grilled sea foods and meat, and the more common Filipino vegetable dish. 
from top left going clockwise: grilled milkfish or grilled bangus, mango slush with boba, laing or taro leaves cooked in coconut milk, and grilled squid

After a very heavy early lunch, I went to La Jolla Cove. First thing I did was to take a picture and texted hubby, "enjoying life!" :) Of course, I am a tease!
first picture I took to text hubby, @ the La Jolla Coast Walk

Monday, July 27, 2015

On Kids and Nature

Child and Wave
I recently saw Nature's Valley commercial about kids being out of touch now with nature, having a different childhood experience from their parents. That was sad to watch and listen to, but at the same time, I believe kids do what are being offered to them. If the adults around them only expose them to technology, then kids would be like those kids in the Nature Valley Commercial, describing 13 hours of their day into playing computer games or into social media/texting communication. Then, there are parents who bring their kids outside, let them explore, let them learn from their experience of their surroundings.
Father and Child Tidepooling, could you see the happiness expressed in the little girl's smile?
My childhood days was totally different from these days. Back then, it was so much easier for the kids to enjoy nature without the constant presence of our parents. Our playground was nature, our treasure hunt was finding wild vegetables to bring home such as amaranth, watercress, mushroom, and many more. When my nieces and nephew were growing, they already had a different childhood than us, there's technology, and then, there's nature. Did we choose one or the other? No, we combined both.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Play More, Spend Less or Nothing

from last week's play @ La Jolla Shores
I oftentimes get mistaken that just because I have time exploring the outdoors, I have a lot of time on my hands. :) For me, it's just all about priorities in striking a healthy balance between work and play. There's always something that we do that others don't do, and something we don't do that others do. For me, I set aside a time to do things I love doing such as relaxing and rejuvenating in the great outdoors. I probably belong to the very few who do not know what are the popular shows in TV or what are the current box-office hits because watching TV and movies are sacrificed in exchange of spending time with nature. With so many choices we have, we just have to choose what matters more to us.   

During the last day of school, some of my students asked me if what very special thing I would do for the summer break. I told them, "enjoy life in San Diego." A few responded, "sleep in, sleep in, watch TV, and Netflix." I said, "Nope, I would be very tired with that lifestyle of sleeping in, TV and Netflix. For me, enjoying life means Hiking, Hiking, and The Ocean." When I said that, a lot of my students gave me  two thumbs up, and said, "see you at the trail, Mrs. L", or "see you at the beach".

 So, what have I been up to this past week? Well, what else, but hiking and the ocean. :) Below are some of the pictures from last week's play.
Hubby's After Work Wednesdate

Fridate @ La Jolla Cove
Fridate's Finds ( at La Jolla Cove's tidepool )

Saturday and Sunday was rainy and wet for us. We badly need that gift of precipitation since San Diego and all of California is actually in severe drought this year. Very thankfully, we are seeing the promise of a wetter year this year. So, thankful about that.

Anyway, now that I am in summer break, I get to enjoy also one of the free things I love next to playing outdoors, that is blogging about the outdoors' priceless gift of relaxation, mental stimulation, spiritual healing and more. Each day I am out playing in the outdoors makes me more highly in love with God, life, and every simple gifts there are in life. Each time I am out I feel there is so much to be thankful for. Thus don't blame me if most of my posts here are about nature, for in nature I thrive, in nature I feel most at home. In nature, I feel like I am a kid, hungry to learn about everything that is around me. In nature, I am very grateful and thankful for all these priceless gifts given to us to nourish our hearts, our minds, our bodies and our spirits.

In nature,  I lose no money only weight and worries. So, what are you waiting for? Come discover that free spirited joy, of being out. Play more, spend less or nothing.
I may have traveled far to explore the other natural wonders, but my most favorite vacation is always at home

Let me end this post by sharing to you this quote,

“Life will always get busy, make time to do the things you love.”  ― Lailah Gifty AkitaBeautiful Quotes "