Destination: My Back Yard, Fla.

After being gone for a while, I knew that my yard and veggie garden would need tending. A few cherry tomatoes left, but new flowers coming out, I hope to get more of them before the heat of summer is upon us. I pull weeds that thought they had a new home and did some fertilizing. I use my kneeling bench which always causes me to think of God's goodness and I give thanks. I am especially thankful for my family and my group: SAWOGs'. We met last Friday nite at my sis-in-law Dianes' home. She has a garden too. All of us girls first steps are to the garden! I saw the tender care Diane took for this garden and the fruit it was showing. Just like Dianes' love for God, I saw her love in her garden. Most of the girls in my family had started a garden this year. As we tended to our gardens during the spring, I know God spoke in our hearts as we cultivated the Word of God to bring fruit in our lives. I can't wait for the fall to start a new garden! How about you?

Washington State- Olympic National Park

The road curled around the edge of Lake Crescent as we neared the Log Cabin Resort. Lake Crescents' depth ranges from about 100 feet to nearly 600 ft with crystal clear waters reaching to about 100 feet below.

We will use the term "resort" loosely, just as the owners have. There is "rustic" and there is "old". This place was just old. But you could not beat the views, right outside your doorstep. (Once you jarred the door open...)!The photo above was just outside our door early in the morning.


Capt Flattery.

Capt Flattery Trail had the most beautiful destination that I have seen in a long time. This sight is on the northern most tip of the Olympic Peninsula. The walk was about 1 1/2 miles one way. The trail consisted of forest floor, sprinkled with delicate flowers, so tiny that the forest fairies had trouble getting out of the rain! Then the forest floor transferred to a hand hewn boardwalk which you had to watch your footsteps lest you stumble. You could hear the crash of waves as you walked, closer to the mighty Pacific. Needless to say, your eyesight took in the wonders of God, translating down to your jaw, gaping mouth and all. "The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof..." just watching the waves crash into the cliffs, birds twittering and the sun shining down to brighten it all, made me give thanks.


Coastal Trails. .












The next day we decided to hike the Coastal Trail which was about 9 miles, part on land, part on beach. It started with Aleva Trail down to the coast. This trail had boardwalks also, protecting the environment. You walked thru old growth forest which gave us the shade we needed. After a while (who was checking the time?) we passed thru a prairie like meadow with grasses and shrubs. Tiny pink flowers clustered in five or six heads, dominated the area. Soon we returned to the forest under the cool canopy of hemlocks and pines towering toward the sky. We arrived at the end, spilling onto the beach, where campers and hikers enjoyed the view. Off we went trekking to the left. Sometimes we had to climb across old trees that have long since given up and crashed into the rocks and waters. A very different hike.














We came across petroglyphs that they say date back 300-500 years. Maybe the summer of '42?! Who knows, but the Makah Indians lived around that era so I hope it is actual pictures from them. This hike took around 4 hours to complete. We were tired but happy we completed the hike!

Sol Duc Falls is one of my favorite hikes to a wonderful waterfall. Our feet padded over the soft pine needles embedded over the years and old growth trees reaching high over our heads with the sun peeking thru the canopy. You can hear a woodpecker, trying to find his dinner......











Arriving at the immense falls which break into 4 roaring falls that explode down into a raging gorge, what a sight to see. The roar of the water was majestically loud, the water clear and breathtaking. You could walk across a bridge and sit on old log benches, misted by tiny drops of water, carried by the uprise of wind from the falls. "Mightier than the thunder of the great waters.....the Lord on high is mighty. Psalm 93:4.


Elwah Valley to the hot springs.













We hiked the 2 mile one way trail to the hot springs in this area. The gently sloping trail was paved the majority of the way unless you crossed over a cascading fall. Certain parts of the trail were giving way to mother natures pull of gravity, but still passable. Reaching the first hot pool, made by diligent hands carrying large stones to mostly pool up the water, I took off my day hikers and socks, dipping my tired feet and calves into the hot water. Very relaxing indeed! It was time to explore the other hot pools. Some pools were on the upside of the mountain which you had to look for them. To my dismay, I saw a nude lady standing up. Please....if you do not have a body that is a perfect "10", wear a bathing suit. eeewwww!

Mauritius - Indian Ocean Paradise

This volcanic island has forests and waterfalls along with sandy beaches with coral reefs to explore. It lies east of Madagascar, just south of the Equator. Mauritius beckons to the european crowds. French and English are spoken here so it was easy to get around. The people are friendly and the laid back style is in fashion. There are Franko-Mauritian, Indian and European inhabitants. Turquoise waters sparkle like diamonds in the afternoon sun showing off its' tranquility with colorful boats moored in small bays around the island.The money used here is called the "Rupee." Right now it is about 34 rupee's to 1 dollar. Good deals all around.

We are at Stephen and Anna's home on their front porch enjoying a cup of joe early in the morning. The boys must have been asleep to be so quiet....the sunshine so bright and a continual breeze to cool you down. Things so different, but yet so similar, enjoying life. Oh Lord, our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth. Psalm 8:1.

On this day we went snorkeling on a glass bottom boat. The water was amazingly clear and coral was abundant. We learned about different fish and coral that grows and lives in the Indian Ocean. Here is Stephen showing how to snorkel below the boat! Stephen is into scuba diving now and kept trying to get us to try. No thanks!

Sometimes we can forget the simple blessings of life around us as we get caught up in the daily grind of life. Nature can relax us and cause us to reflect on Gods' creation as it truly points us to a higher authority. Thank you Stephen and Anna for taking us on this boat trip!

This island is called "Coin de Mere." It is off the coast with other islands. Coin de Mere island raises its' shoulder out of the water and soaks up the daily sunshine. We hope to sail by it tomorrow on a scheduled catamarin excursion to Gabrielle Island.

Gabrielle Island sailing trip.

We sailed to Gabrielle Island on a Catamaran. We decided to take Erik with us (our oldest grandson) as he loves the water. We left the dock around 9:30 am. The Indian Ocean revealed the hues of royal blue, navy, aqua and teal in the varying depth of water. It was amazing to see the color change. "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and devine nature - have been clearly seen. Romans 1:20.
We saw flying fish on the beautiful waters. They could stay out of the water and fly sometimes up to 20 seconds while their glistening fins spun as fast as can be.

Once we docked we could snorkel or swim on the beach. Jim snorkeled and Anna, Erik and I went to the clear waters on the beach. The crew on board cooked our food while we soaked up the sun. We feasted on smoked marlin, chicken and sausages with rice with scallions, pasta and cabbage salad. For dessert we had grilled bananas. Very tasty! While we ate the crew sang and played a guitar and bongos, so you could say we had "live music." It was a great day. We returned to dock around 4:30 in the afternoon. It was the best of an island experience. I was ready to do it again!

A Birthday Boy.

It was Isaks' birthday on May 12th. He turned 2 years old. Anna had a birthday party for him. They had a slip and slide for the kids and Jim had a blast playing with them. Anna made the traditional Swedish cake which was fabulous. It is good to keep family the heritage alive with traditional eats!