Taking In Life Around Me...#Sundaystills : The Great Outdoors

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.

This weeks theme is The Great Outdoors. I decided I would "double dip" and include quotes to use for Putting Fingers to Keyboard: #WQ this week.

One thing I love about living on property is the wildlife that visit. We regularly have deer visit our yard..mamas and their babies. I love them until they start eating things they shouldn't. Not sure what I'll do when the time comes to landscape. 

According to Ktbs.com June is National Great Outdoors Month! It is a month long celebration of the outdoors that encourages everyone to embrace the outdoor spirit of America. This celebration of the great outdoors brings incredible health benefits, like cardio from hiking trails.

Traipsing along a trail in the Mt. Rainier N.P. 

I love living in the PNW. There is not a lack of outdoor adventures. From the oceans to the mountains, the high desert, lakes and rivers. I've always said it's perfect. I live in the southwest region of Washington state. I always say we live in the perfect spot. We are within an hour and a half of the Pacific Ocean, an hour or so to skiing, four hours to the high desert of Oregon, and we are surrounded by lakes, rivers and hiking trails. 

The gorgeous Olympic Mountains viewed from Hurricane Ridge.

I've also been able to visit many other states and countries. It's always fun to explore and experience what they all have to offer. 

Our trip to the Mt. Rainier N.P. and Olympic N.P. areas were perfect examples of experiencing the great outdoors. And a reminder to take care of the land that's been entrusted to us. 

What things do I like to do in the great outdoors? Here are just a few. I'm sure I could come up with more. 

*Hiking

*Photographing nature

*Bike Riding
*Gardening (though I don't have a garden or landscape currently)

*Reading outside
*I used to enjoy camping
*Having fires in the fire pit and enjoying those around me
*Playing yard games
*Playing outside with the grandkids
*Walking on beaches
*Taking walks for exercise and pleasure

*Taking the scenic route by car and stopping along the way

If I lived in a big city, I'd have to find ways to enjoy the beauty of nature and clean, fresh air nearby. I remember our visit to NYC and how much we couldn't wait to get back home, We loved our visit, but we sure missed all the greenery, birds, stars. 

Another way we enjoy the outdoors is with the grandkids. Our grandson loves to ride his dirt bike and we love watching him. 

A few weeks ago we took the kids to the river to play. They love my MIL, their great grandma. 

Aaahh..the beaches of Hawaii. I enjoyed moments of just sitting and enjoying the sunshine. 

Above: the stairs we hiked. Below: The elation of being done and the beauty surrounding us. 

I was so tempted to find more photos, but I needed to be done. I'll be enjoying more of the outdoors on some upcoming trips. 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin