Taking in Life Around Me......#Sundaystills Getting out in Nature

This #sundaystills challenge is hosted by Terri from Second Wind Leisure. It's a great themed photography challenge that you'll enjoy. I love seeing the other participants interpretation of the theme each week...it causes me to think outside the box. I joined in hopes of it pushing me to get out and take more photos...I have to some degree, but I also like that Terri is okay with us finding photos in our archives, which is also a lot of fun. So check out my photos and then head over to Terri's page to participate or visit other's posts. There are some awesome contributors who always inspire me.

I wish this theme was next weekend....We're heading off for some time away to Anderson Island, Washington On Thursday through Sunday or Monday. I know I'll take lots of photos. Though, wi-fi is sketchy from what I'm told, so I may not be able to post anyways. 

According to Terri and The National Park Service, June is Great Outdoors month. I love being in the great outdoors, exploring new places, trekking through familiar spots. I love being outdoors on a mountain trail, by a waterfall, or walking down a city sidewalk (which we did today). It's just being outside, wherever we are. Maybe it's sitting outside on a porch, drinking a cup of coffee. 

I love taking in the unique things in nature...the not so obvious. I loved this old log sitting near the water by Mt. St. Helens. 

Mt. St. Helens is fairly close to us (with 45 min/1hr). I've been wanting to take our grandson this summer because we had a conversation about it, but there was a recent mudslide that took out part of the road to it so that may not happen this year. 

The beach is one of our favorite places to go, not my husbands favorite, but I do love it. 

The little things catch my eye...textures, colors, shapes. I love the tiny pine cones I find around Central Oregon and always manage to bring some home when we visit. 

On a trip to Palm Desert we took a hike to ladder canyon. I did not climb up any ladders, though my hubby did. I kind of wish I had, but I was nervous and had my camera and a few other things I didn't want to just leave at the bottom. The landscape was so different than what we are used to, but pretty in it's own way. 

A local waterfall...they are one of my favorite things to find!!! Just the sound of water is so peaceful. 

Hiking in Central Oregon means experiencing a lot of lava rock. So fascinating. 

Deschutes River in Central Oregon! Benham Falls is always a destination we visit. 

The shores of Lake Erie from Kelley's Island, Ohio! So pretty and peaceful.

Enjoying the great outdoors in the New England States was a special trip.

From Coast to Coast...there is so much to see and enjoy! 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin