Showing posts with label beaches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beaches. Show all posts

Monday, June 2, 2014

Peace and Renewal


Tonight Eric and I enjoyed a romantic date at Arnie's restaurant, with its magnificent views of the water. While we sat eating our delicious grilled salmon and garlic mashed potatoes we were able to enjoy the beauty of the setting sun as it sparkled across the blue waters of the Puget Sound.

After dinner we walked along one of our favorite beaches, Mukilteo Beach, enjoying the sounds and smells of the beach at sunset. People were out enjoying the night, sitting on washed up tree trunks or roasting marshmallows over fire pits in the sand. There were a couple of kids playing on their guitars, comparing songs they were working on composing. Kids were throwing rocks into the water, which was up for high tide. I scoured the beach for unusual shapes of broken shells.

I marvel at the scenery which is right in front of me, and only about a twenty minute drive from my front door. When I go to the beach, no matter what season or time of day, it always fills me with a sense of peace and renewal. Tonight as I watched and felt the majesty of the sun setting on a perfect golden day, it made me feel both infinitely small and eternally significant. Our Father in Heaven must love each of us so tremendously to create such a beautiful and majestic place to live. I am in constant awe at His wonderful creations, and that I get to be a small part of it.

When I witness such beauty, it fills my soul with peace. I feel content because I am in a holy place, a world which was created in all its glory to bring God's children joy. I receive a sense of renewal because I am closer to Him when I am enjoying His marvelous creations. And although I feel as tiny as a grain of sand, I feel as loved as any creature could possibly be. 

I am loved beyond comprehension, and that brings me joy.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

October in Paradise

In October we were lucky enough to spend a week on the beautiful island of Kaua'i.  We were able to take Heidi and Ethan with us, and I am so glad that we did!  The memories that we made on this trip will last a lifetime.

Our first day on Kaua'i. We were scouting out beaches before we could check into our condo. After six hours on the plane, all I wanted to do was get in the water, but I didn't want to change into my suit in the car! Ethan didn't mind changing in the car, though! This is lovely Lydgate Beach.

Some coral at Lydgate Beach.

Lydgate Beach

Gorgeous waves at Tunnels Beach. There were a couple huge sea lions sunbathing on the beach!


Beautiful plantation.

Ono Shave Ice in Kapa'a. The rest of the trip, Ethan begged us to go back and get some more. I always thought it was funny how everywhere you went, it was called "Shave Ice," rather than "Shaved Ice."



On board the Blue Dolphin catamaran to see the Na Pali Coast and the forbidden island Ni'ihau.

I love cruising!


Some spinner dolphins joined us on our cruise!

Na Pali Coast

One of the hidden beaches on the Na Pali coast. Several movies have been filmed here, including Johnny Depp's Pirates of the Caribbean.


One of my favorite images from this trip!

The "Keyhole" on the forbidden island Ni'ihau. Our cruise took us out to snorkel by the island.

Ethan was a snorkeling pro by the time we left Kaua'i!

Beautiful Anini Beach! We swam with several sea turtles here.

This was day 5. I think we wore her out...


Kilauea Lighthouse. It was closed for most of our trip, due to the government shutdown.

I think that Kaua'i had to be the birthplace of the joke starting "Why did the chicken cross the road...?" They are literally EVERYWHERE! We saw more chickens than fish on this island. Ethan had a good time chasing them all week.

Some cool seeds from a tree at the Spouting Horn Beach Park. They looked like flowers.

Spouting Horn Beach Park. There was a fisherman down there with five huge fishing rods.

Our view from the Kalalau Lookout. We should be able to see the Na Pali coastline from here, but alas....We waited for over an hour for the cloud cover to disperse but it never did. It was a good 20 degrees cooler here than on the coast!




Another lookout from the top of the mountain. Pu'uokila Lookout, also under cloud cover.

Gorgeous view at Waimea Canyon Lookout. I got car sick from the drive up to here, but it was well worth it!

My gorgeous girl's photo shoot at Kalpaki Beach.




What a romantic week with my Honey!



Playing at Kalpaki Beach.


My island boy at Kalpaki Beach, across the street from our condo.

Wailua Falls, famous for the intro scene to the TV show "Fantasy Island."

At Smith Family Garden Lu'au.

Ethan was impressed with this stalk growing out of the coconut. I don't think he realizes how a seed works....


I think the smiles here say it all...this was one amazing trip!

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve in front of the tree!
 
 
 
We spent a wonderful Christmas at home this year. Here are a few pictures from the holiday.
 
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!
 
 
Looks like a few kids are getting excited for Santa to come!
 
 
 
After opening presents on Christmas morning, we headed out to our annual trip to Mukilteo Beach.  It had been raining all day, and we lucked out in finding a brief pause in the rain.  It was very cold, though, with a biting wind!
 
 
We saw this scuba diver braving the cold on Christmas Day.  He teased us that he was probably warmer in the water than we were in the wind!
 
 
 
Erica didn't seem to mind the cold.  In fact, we had to drag her away from the water, numb hands, bare legs and all!  That girl is crazy!

 
We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that this New Year brings you much peace, hope, and love!