What once was . . .

I'm sick this morning! Sick over what's happening in the beautiful Gulf of Mexico! No, I'm not going all political on you—I'm just sad. It's one of my favorite places on earth (not that I've explored much of the Earth), and now it's being destroyed. I almost can't watch the footage on TV. I get emotional. My heart breaks to see such beauty taken over by such ugliness. My heart breaks when I hear about all the wildlife that is trying to escape, that can't. My heart breaks when I watch MY beaches defaced. The Florabama coastline is my "other home." My heart is breaking this morning!

I pray and hope that one day, it will all be fresh again—untainted by this man-made disaster. Maybe I have lofty hopes, but I can't help but pray that I'll be able to look at it again one day, and see the landscape that I love . . .

View from the observation tower

View from the observation tower at Big Lagoon State Park

I couldn't decide which angle I liked better—portrait or landscape? So, I decided to post them both. The sun was setting when I took these pictures, and you can't loose with that kind of lighting. This is a small bay that empties into the Gulf. I love the swooping of the shoreline, and the way the water is flowing into the shore. It was a beautiful view!

Great Blue Heron

On a recent Gulf Coast vacation, we made a trip to Big Lagoon State Park, and encountered this Great Blue Heron on our walk to the observation tower. He must be quite use to people, because he wasn't all that startled by us. This was my first picture of him (above), from a good distance away. Then the second one (below), was actually quite close—closer than I thought he would let me get.

Then, he flew away. But, then I found him again (below). I was standing VERY close to him in this particular picture, snapping the picture with my left hand (not an easy feat with a chunky D90), and holding tightly to my squirming little 15-month-old in my right arm.

Boardwalk at Big Lagoon State Park

I was recently at the beach . . . recently. But, I'm not right now. Can you tell that I wish I was? *sigh*

Well, we had fun while we were there, at least. And, on our visit, we visited Big Lagoon State Park in the Florida panhandle—right next to Alabama. I'm starting to really enjoy this little state park. I haven't done too much exploring, but they have this really great observation tower. I was standing at the top of it when I took this picture. The sun was setting, and the lighting—well, "c'est magnifique." It was definitely a fun chance for me to play with my D90. If you were to follow that little creek out to the left of the picture, you would be in the Gulf of Mexico. It was a really beautiful spot.

While we were there, we had a close encounter with a Great Blue Heron. I'll be posting pics of that soon.

Where I want to be . . .

Perdido Key, FL

The Beach

Ahhh . . . the beach. There's just no place like it! I get so much energy from being by the sea. We just got back from a mini beach vacation, and it was so nice to be there once again. It restores something in me.

The water was still a bit cold, but we enjoyed being on the sand, the warm sun, and watching the waves crash. Our weather was mostly beautiful with just a little bit of cloudiness and rain the first day—but, then again, is there ever a bad day when you're at the beach? Can't wait to go back!

One of my favorite places

Watching the waves at the Gulf Islands National Seashore—Florida district

This is one of my favorite places in North America. It's sort-of a secondary home to me. My family has vacationed in this area for many, many, many years, and it never gets old. My husband and I were sitting on the sand, and watching the sun set over the Gulf when I took this picture. There were Willets darting in and out of the waves, and the sunlight on the water was just incredible. Every time I look at this picture, it takes me back to that. It's like having a little mini-vacation in my memory. There's just nothing more peaceful than watching the waves roll in like this. It speaks to my soul! The world becomes clear, sitting at the edge of the sea. The chaos comes into focus. It's amazing to find peace in the roar of the ocean, but I do.

Point Betsie Foghorn in Winter

Point Betsie Fog Signal Building in Winter

This fog horn is located in one of my favorite areas in Michigan—Benzie County. The day I took this photo was a beautiful, crisp, winter day. It was the kind of day where you see your breath, and you bundle up before going outside. After being out for a while, you love the thought of getting into the warm car and going home for a nice warm cup of hot cocoa. Ahhh . . . I love winter!

According to www.pointbetsie.org, "Renovation of the Fog Signal Building, which sits immediately north of the lighthouse, is also complete. It, too, was returned to a look not seen in many decades. It’s exterior siding replicates the original iron needed to house the steam boilers that powered the fog signal in pre-electricity times. The exterior and metal interior walls were restored in 2008, enabling the building to house the lighthouse's Sesquicentennial exhibition of juried works of art inspired by Point Betsie's structures and surroundings."

The Mouth of the Platte

The mouth of the Platte River, where it empties into Lake Michigan

We've been traveling a lot lately, which is why I haven't had regular posts. We first traveled to the Alabama Gulf Coast, then up to North Michigan. I'll be in Illinois next to celebrate my grandparent's 70th wedding anniversary. Then we have the holidays coming up, too! Whew!

This photo was taken when we were with my husband's family in Northern Michigan. My daughter had never seen Lake Michigan (even though she's 10-months-old and won't remember it), so we had to take her—if only to get pictures of her there. The Michigan side of Lake Michigan is so beautiful! It definitely smacks of home for me. This particular day was very cloudy (as you can see), but the reflection on the water was amazing! It's hard to believe that this is where a river empties into a Great Lake—it's just too serene. You can see Sleeping Bear Dunes in the background. Even though there was no blue sky, it was a beautiful day to see the Lake.

Perdido Key Sunset

We were recently on vacation in the Florida panhandle and Alabama Gulf Coast. It was wonderful!! I've loved this area for a long time. I grew up vacationing there. It holds a special place in my heart. This year was special, since we were celebrating our anniversary while there, but also because it was our first family vacation with our daughter. It made it even more special having her there. The water was just as warm as ever, and the air was just as salty, but it was all enhanced by having my family with me—my husband and my daughter. I'm very blessed, and very thankful.

Another view of the Point Betsie Light

The Point Betsie Light

Northern White Cedar

White cedar

(Thuja occidentalis)

"To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment."

—Jane Austen

I remember taking this picture on a trail in Northern Michigan, in Benzie County. I can't remember what trail, but there was a wetland along the way. I don't live in Michigan anymore (at least for now), but I miss the woods of Northern Michigan. Cedars are a fascinating tree, and they abound in this particular area. The needles are flat. Gwen Frostic's shop wraps your purchases in her specialty paper and they garnish the packages with a Cedar sprig. I think the needles are really . . . I don't know . . . fresh, clean, woodsy, soft, and pure.