Mainly: Maine

Please enjoy my ramblings about our wonderful America. If you have been here, please reminisce of your enjoyment of times past, or maybe dream and plan your next visit!

"If the mountain was smooth - you wouldn't climb it."

Our first day at our favorite National Park, Acadia, we chose to explore the Jordan Cliff and Bluffs. The trail is a 4.3 mile loop. This trail was the first cliff-side trail built before 1900 by Waldron Bates. Very dramatic vistas, varied terrain and unique aspects. You had ladder rungs, notched logs and granite steps to enjoy and test your agility!

Day two was the day to rent bikes and ride the carriage trails. Thanks to Mr. Rockerfeller, he built and financed about 57 miles of carriage roads free of automobiles. The carriage road are the best examples of turn of the century "broken stone" roads and were adapted for Maine's wet weather. You can walk, bike, hike or take a horse on these roads, which pass by ponds and overlooks and you will cross unique bridges to your next destination. Ours was the Jordan Pond House were we had seafood stew and their famous popovers! Yum!

Day three: Sargent Mountain was the one we decided to hike up via the Asticou trail. About a 7 mile loop, which passes the Sargent pond, crystal clear and very tempting to jump in! A little rest and relaxation at the top did us wonders. As always Jim had a little energy left, but the rock won!

Thank you for taking a moment of your time to share in our times of fun, and exploring our wonderful land. God bless you and remember: Let the earth be glad and the distant shores rejoice! Psalm 97:1.

How can this be?

I sometimes wonder....how can this be? A barefoot "creeker" girl - has traveled the U.S...and gets to see her favorite places more than once? I am truly grateful for these experiences and thank God for His majesty and the wonderful creation He made - Earth.

From the valleys to the plains, from the mountains to the sea. His creation reveals His handiwork. Anyway, our visit starts with Washington State, then traveling on to Maine.

Our trusty LL Bean backpack goes everywhere we go!

Our first day we hiked Wallace Falls on this rainy day. It is one of our hikes that we first do to condition our legs for the days ahead. I think alot of my brother and try to sort out the questions and thots in my mind. I have found that most of them are not sorted and won't be until that Great Day.

Our next day we visited Fragrance Lake. Most beautiful and serene.

We finally visited the Mt. Baker Wilderness Area. Beautiful but snowed in part way up.

On we went to Nooksack Falls.
Lunchtime in the sun! The average temperature this year for June was the 60's.A day later we went to Horsehoe Bend Trail. All I can say is it is the most romantic and beautiful trail I have ever been on. From the moss covered boulders to the rushing blue-green water with white froth dancing heel to toe! Most enjoyable. This trail is in the Mt. Baker area.
My next post will be about our visit to the great state of Maine. Until then, happy travels and God bless! Psalms 97:1 The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad!

Tribute to my brother

Today is the day I am choosing to write a little bit as a remembrance of my brother, Timothy Mitchell Leira, who suddenly passed over to the arms of Jesus on April 18, 2010 at age 55.

As my thought process unfolds I trust God will continue the healing and give the comfort He promised in Luke 9:11 and Psalms 86:17.

I want to say a grateful "thank you" to all who came to the memorial service, either for me or Linda. It meant alot to me. 2nd Corinthians 7:6 says "Nevertheless God, that comforts those that are cast down, comforts us by the coming of Titus." God sent comfort via family and friends, cards and calls.

~ Fishing with Pappa and Mamma on Honeymoon Island. Hot hazy days but together doing a family outing.

~ On hot summer nights Tim and I would lay in the street, gaze at the stars overhead, and now, thankful that the street, back then was never busy! I don't remember any conversations on those nights, but probably wasn't any!

~ Forts built in the 7 acre woods we lived on, always trying to tag along when big brother visited with his friends.....

~ Tim prayed with me the salvation prayer so long ago. I am glad that "he cared enough to give the very best". Christ.

~ Music. It was a big part in his life. He had a rock band for alot of years. He played the guitar most excellently and could sing. He passed down these gifts to his daughter Stephanie.

~ He love the water. To fish with his family. Honeymoon Island is where they always visited to fish or relax.

One day we will meet again, that is a promise!

Now that April is here, let us always know that because of God’s creative plan we can reach through the beauty of an April day and touch God’s hand.

April is being filled with wonderful times and experiences, starting with my son and his family moving to Orlando, Easter time, Pappa Jim's birthday at the Tampa Bay History Museum and exploring the Legacy Trail with my hubby.

We also want to wish Joey a wonderful birthday month! Make the most of it!

As we are in "relationship" I am reminded that: God desires a relationship so we can discover the full glory of His love.

Happy Birthday Pappa Jim! We had lunch at the Columbia Cafe along side of the museum.

In 1824, the US government established a military post called Fort Brooke along Hillsborough River on grounds that are now the Tampa Convention Center. Tampa was incorporated as a city in 1855.

You can check this web site out where I took some information. http://www.awesometampa.com/tampa-history.html

Cuban cigar industry moved into Tampa and provided further economic growth. Producing cigars became a hallmark of Tampa and one of its main industries. Vicente M. Ybor set up his cigar factory on the northeast side of Tampa. This area within Tampa is now known as Ybor City.

This is just a small part of the museum and I encourage you to explore it yourself.

Even Alana had "hands on" experience!

Celebrating Easter was a grand relationship time with family. Especially children. Taking time to get together to remember that Christ gave of Himself so we can live - is a fresh start to have a relationship with God.







The Legacy Trail starts at Palmer Ranch Parkway and the mileage one way is about 10 miles to Venice. You will see "old Florida" most of the way. There was a detour as two bridges were being constructed.

Things I have been thinking about

A Beth Moore Bible study called Breaking Free has caused me to go on a journey in my past, present and future. Most excellent study. I have a Latin background and my latest bookmark is reflecting this. I truly miss my dad Miguel Angel. I can still see his love reflected in his eyes...

I want: to know God and believe Him, glorify God, find satisfaction in God, experience God's peace and enjoy God's presence. Don't you?

Spring is finally springing, the birds are singing and I have been a little restless lately. Yearning to find a mountain path to follow.

Learning how to live in God's trust thru twists and turns of our lives is the most difficult challenge we face. (from "He loves me!" by Wayne Jacobson.)

YOUR SWEET SPOT

We all have these times in our lives that I call a "sweet spot." It could be a spiritual moment, a grandbaby moment, even a special dream. It is a moment that makes you feel good, inside and out! It happened to me today while I was walking. The cool air making itself breezy, touching my skin, then the sun shining down, warming me up. Cool-Warm. Mmmmm. It made me smile and there are many other sweet spots in our lives that God gives us.

Please let me know of your sweet spot! Just leave your story in the comment box. I would love to know these stories! Don't be shy - share your life!

You can also leave your "sweet spot" on my Facebook page.

How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful!. Song of Solomon 4:1.

Memories

In light of trying to simply my life, I have been going through and de-cluttering my closets and cubby holes. Isn't this what you do in January???! Anyway, I was in our little shed, and popped off the top of a container. In it was forgotten items that I had taken from my mothers home after she passed. I brought them inside to unpack, and memories of past times started to surface, which caused my thoughts to drift to unhappy occasions. I realized that you can really sink low if you choose to dwell on bad moments or unkind words....mmm. After all, you can't go back and change it, but I can change. Eh?

Most of these items were glassware, so I carefully washed them with hot soapy suds and chose to remember the good times and used the art of understanding- lacing it with wisdom - to choose the better memories. My father used to be a barber, so straight razors I have. A pair of my fathers eye glasses made me smile. I hope my son will be willing to have them as to remember his grandfather.

You can't change the past, things said or done, but you can choose to have understanding and ask for wisdom, to forgive.

Which all of this brings me to: Wow- I am the "adult" now. Well, I have been an adult for a long time! Well I mean that hopefully, I will be looked up to for wisdom, advise and unconditional love. I hope that I can deliver with Gods help!

"In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, concerning you." 2 Thessalonians 5:18.