Taking in Life Around Me: Sunday Stills....Stairs Always Lead Somewhere

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 week Terri is still on vacation and Hugh at Hughs Views and News is hosting. Find his post here. 

"Focus on the step in front of you, not the whole staircase"

" Always take the stairs. There'll be plenty of days where you can't, so accept the opportunity to take the stairs as a gift and make a deposit into your future health account..." Boomer Health Solutions

I remember when we were building our house, my dad asked me why we were putting in an upstairs because one day we'd be old and wouldn't be able to walk up them. I remember thinking at the time, I don't want to have that mindset. Might that be the reality? Sure, but I certainly don't want to think that way. I will take stairs whenever possible. I've been dealing with achilles tendonitis for about a year and at the beginning of the day and the end of the day, going up or down stairs can be a bit painful, but I do it. It just might not be as fast as the middle of the day. 

I think it's also important to always be taking steps to further ourselves as individuals. Whether it be in our jobs, our hobbies, our relationships, our self improvement. What steps can I take to be better, to keep learning and growing. 

"It doesn't matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop." Confucious

I might have shared this image for another prompt but the stairs in the Calgary library are made of a beautiful wood. This is such a stunning building. 

While in Colorado, we stopped at the Red Rock Amphitheater...talk about a lot of steps. There are approximately 193 steps from the main stage to the upper deck, and about 380 steps on the side stairways that go from the lower lot to upper concessions. Yep, we walked them.  

Also while in Colorado, my hubby walked the Manitou incline which is 2,768 stairs, a 2,000 foot elevation in less than a mile, and you're already at a high elevation. Thankfully he did this at the end of our trip when we had acclimated and he did it in just under an hour. 

I love our back porch and the stairs that lead up to them. They turned out so great and it's such a great place hang out and visit. 

Seabrook is one of our favorite places to visit. We went in December, and the lights on town hall were so pretty. I was thinking as I looked at these steps of all the events that might take place here and the people who walked up those steps for meetings, parties and whatever else the inside holds. 

When I explore Kelleys Island while visiting family, all of the old buildings have stone steps and porches, they are simple and understated, but I also think perfect for the buildings and homes they lead into. 

Capital Steps in Montpelier, VT.

I just loved this staircase at an event venue that I was helping my daughter at with her coffee cart. 

The stairs at Off the Beaten Path Bookstore in Steamboat Springs had these awesome stairs with book titles. Such a neat place. 

Stairs at the National Memorial Cemetary of the Pacific in Honolulu, HI. We didn't stay long here, but what a neat place. 

Also while in Hawaii we did the Koko Crater Railway trailhead which is about 1,100 steps and a 900-1,000 foot incline. Phew, I was tired, but we made it. 

Beautiful tile stairs in Palm Beach, California

Talk about "stepping into reading"...lol. This tucked away bookstore in Venice claims to be the most beautiful bookstore in the world. It also floods regularly. They have used damaged books in their decor creating book walls and even these stairs. 

Stairs across the canals in Venice. 

Stairs in Bellagio along Lake Como. Such a beautiful little place. 

As I type this post, I'm sitting in a coffee shop killing time while my MIL and her friend walk a 10K. I normally do it with them but thought I was going to be on vacation. When I finally realized I wasn't it was too late to register. We have to drive an hour and 20 minutes to get here so I told them I would get up and drive them to it. I have a great view and noticed these yellow stairs. 

I will probably be taking the next two weekends off. We are traveling to Arizona and I don't know that I'll have time to post and haven't even decided if I'm going to take my computer. We'll see. 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin