Stars Above - Stars Below

It has been a beautiful month here in Northern Utah this year.  February was quite Spring like, but March has decided to come roaring in and make us remember that it is still Winter! We are due to have snow several times in the next week.  Oh, I am not complaining though, that lovely Winter snowpack is our Summer water supply!

There are so many things I have fallen in love with since moving to the Rockies.  I had always lived at sea level and had never really experienced serious mountains.  Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the Ocean and have times when I miss it, but there is something very magical about these marvelous mountains.  Right now the days are sunny and the mountains are covered with the snow all the skiers love so much.
But, the the nights - the magical nights are absolutely breathtaking too!

Have you ever been on a ship or boat in the middle of the night with the stars sparkling above you? Isn't it an amazing sight looking up at all those twinkling stars in the midnight dark sky?  Well, an amazing thing happens here at night when you are driving down off the mountains.  As you come down out of the canyon passes you find yourself suddenly gasping as the lights of the towns or cities below appear out of the darkness.  They spread out before you like stars in the sky.  You can look up and see the stars above and the "stars" below.  It is an amazing feeling and reminds me once again of how tiny we are in the grand scheme of things.  These breathtaking views constantly serve to remind me of a line from one of my favorite poems - "Your life is but a little beat, within the heart of time."  How true that line is.

I am nearing the seventh decade of my life and look back over the years and all the wonders I have been fortunate enough witness.  I am hoping to witness more over the next few decades of time.  People, please never stop experiencing all that we have to enjoy here on this magical planet.  From the smallest plants and animals to the mountains and seas to the clouds and weather (ever experienced thunder snow?), there is so much to breathe in and enjoy.

Stop today and take time to "smell the roses" and take in the beauty that surrounds us everywhere.

God Bless!

PEACE, LOVE & JOY

Linda

Sunset Comes First in The Valley

I'm really getting used to living in the Mountains of Utah, but I must say that I frequently realize little different things, and learn to appreciate them more each day.

This evening as I was driving home, I was sitting on Antelope Drive and noticed that it was still beautiful and sunny on the Mountain in front of me, but I was sitting in the shadow of sundown.

It really makes for some gorgeous sunsets out here though, for often as the sun goes down behind  the mountains on one side of this huge valley (which used to be a lake) it reflects on the clouds and bounces down on the mountains of the opposite side causing them to be an amazing shade of pink.

Lovely, aren't they?  It is also interesting to note that the sun hitting from different angles exposes new folds, creases, caves and ridges on the mountainsides.  It seems like every time you look at them, there is something different to see.

I have experienced Summer, Fall and now Winter here in Ogden, and now I am looking forward to Spring.  The crocus are already peeking out of the soil, and although I am sure we will see more snow before the Spring comes in full force, It is exciting to see the changes already taking place in our surroundings.

I love living in the valley, because for one thing MOST of the snow falls in the mountains.  I can, therefore, walk around down in the valley without having to stomp through snow, but when I do want to play in the snow, I just go up the mountain and snowshoe or ski, or tube … what wonderful choices.

There is definitely beauty in all seasons here.

But, being here in Summer, Fall and Winter has shown me something I had long ago forgotten, and that is just how beautiful the changing seasons can be!

The beautiful gardens of summer with their daisies, and roses and flora of all kinds…

The amazing colors of Autumn in the mountains are incomparable!

Rivers flow through canyons and wildlife abounds.  Buffalo on Antelope Island as well as Bighorn Sheep and Antelope.

Migrating Birds of hundreds of varieties in the thousands, flying into the area around the Great Salt Lake on their yearly travels.

So much to see, so many beautiful trails to hike, caves and amazing rock formations.

No, I never would have thought that anyone or anything could take the Okaloosagirl off of the also amazing and beautiful Gulf Coast with it's Emerald Green water, dolphins and sugar sand; but I have discovered a new love.  A new love that is just as beautiful, inspiring and amazing.  And to add to the beauty, there are two little granddaughters here (as well as a beautiful, loving daughter) that I just couldn't stand to be 2,000 miles away from.

So, as we explore Utah together, I will share pictures (which really can't do it justice) and tell you stories and share my "bucket list" adventures with you, and hope you enjoy reading and seeing it as much as I do!

PEACE, LOVE AND JOY

Linda