Rock Climbing in Yosemite April 6, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Books & Movies, Humor, Nature, Travel & Leisure.Tags: El Capitan, Humor, Nature, Travel and Tourism, Yosemite National Park
50 comments
BFF and I have decided NOT to climb the cliff face of El Capitan on our next visit to Yosemite National Park in California.
We reached this decision last night while watching National Geographic’s Secret Yosemite.
This decision has nothing to do with advancing age.
(Except as it relates to the acquisition of wisdom and common sense.)
Our thinking is three-fold:
1. The granite stone acts as a lightning rod when storms roll through with majestic fury. We have no desire to be lit up like Christmas Trees.
2. The climber we watched spent 3 full days in the assent . . . enjoying a two-night stay in a hammock/sling perched a full 2000 feet above the valley floor. That’s the height of a 200-story skyscraper. T~A~L~L.
3. Bathroom breaks. Enough said.
We’ll confine our hikes to terra firma where we can bury our business if nature calls when no stalls are available.
Aah . . . that’s better!
How about you?
Does scaling 3000-foot granite cliffs hold any appeal? Or would you rather watch others attempt the ascent . . . from the relative safety of the valley floor?
I say “relative safety” because when chips fall off the old block, they crash to earth with immense power . . . creating wind gusts of 300 miles per hour which can knock down trees in a half mile radius like a bowling ball takes out pins.
Around The Next Bend February 4, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Mindfulness, Nature, Synchronicity & Mystery.Tags: Curiosity, Mindfulness, Mystery, Nature, Pathways, Wonder
59 comments
Why do we turn page after page in a ponderous book?
De Soto National Memorial
Or watch fictional figures frolic through manufactured lives on a screen?
Myakka River State Park
At times, it’s nothing more than curiosity. Curiosity captures our imagination, holds us hostage, and compels us forward.
Emerson Point Preserve
We cannot break away until we witness what transpires at story’s end.
Myakka River State Park
In life, as in art, the future beckons, urging us on as the path unfolds before us.
De Soto National Memorial
And we comply . . . curious to discover what lies around the next bend.
Historic Spanish Point
Aah . . . that’s better!
After posting this, I learned (via Janna’s post) that Trifecta chose “path” as its one word prompt this week. If you want to check out other entries, click HERE.
A Not-So-Commercial Commercial . . . December 21, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Amazing Animals, Art & Photography, Nature.Tags: Animals, BBC, Commercial, David Attenborough, Nature
34 comments
This commercial isn’t a bit commercial . . . ENJOY!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Scaredy Coon November 28, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Amazing Animals, Life Lessons, Mindfulness, Nature.Tags: Amazing Animals, Fear, Nature, Raccoon, Reflection
50 comments
Monday morning, I saw a raccoon on the opposite bank at the top of the berm.
As I watched, through binoculars, he wandered down to water’s edge, jumped in fright, and retraced his steps.
I saw nothing that might have caused him alarm.
Meandering a short way down the bank, he again approached the edge of the water to quench his thirst. Again, he retreated before completing his mission.
Something was scaring him, but what?
I stared through my scopes looking for a snake slithering through the reeds at water’s edge, or a large carp . . . big enough to eat a raccoon for breakfast, or a massive turtle loitering about.
I saw nothing except the raccoon.
I watched again, more closely, and realized, with a laugh, what was causing the masked bandit to advance and retreat, mission incomplete.
The furry fellow was “scared of his own shadow.” Each time he saw his reflection in the water, he would abandon the quest to quench his thirst.
But he didn’t give up.
After three or four false starts, thirst prevailed. He stood his ground long enough to take a big swig. And then another. And another.
He faced his fears . . . by staring his fears in the face. Literally.
When we have conquered the enemy within, there are no enemies left to conquer.
Aah . . . that’s better!
He Who Laughs, Lasts November 24, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Gratitude, Happiness, Nature, Word Play.Tags: Happiness, Laughter, Nature, Smiles, Trifecta Challenge, Word Play
61 comments
Uncluttered desktops
And slim tidy files
Surfaces gleaming
Reflecting bright smiles
Walks on wide beaches
‘Neath blue-tinted skies
These are the things that
Make me feel alive
He who laughs, lasts
Say C~H~E~E~S~E!
* * * * *
Written for Trifextra Challenge ~ My Favorite Things (33 words, no more, no less).
Aah . . . that’s better!
A Flower Just Grows November 18, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Life Lessons, Mindfulness, Nature, People, Poetry.Tags: Anais Nin, Flower, Mindfulness, Nature, People, Poetry
38 comments
Downsides and risks
Worst case scenarios
No wonder we lose our nerve and succumb to cowardice
Upsides and rewards
Best case scenarios
Never taking our eyes off the prize, we forge ahead
When people remind us of
potential risks and possible pitfalls
Are they looking out for us?
Or hoping to keep us in line so they
can continue to play it safe?
A flower just grows.
* * * * *
And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud, was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. ~ Anais Nin
The scariest moment is always just before you start. ~ Stephen King
Nothing ventured, something lost. ~ Neale Clappe
Aargh . . . that’s better!
Related posts: Focus on Rewards . . . Not Risks * Do What You Love
Life is an Echo November 9, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Nature, Poetry.Tags: inspiration, Nature, Peace, Quotes, Weekly Photo Challenge
44 comments
Life is an echo . . . what you send out comes back. ~ Chinese Proverb
To a mind that is still, the whole Universe surrenders. ~ Chang Tsu
One today is worth two tomorrows. ~ Ben Franklin
Some things have to be believed to be seen. ~ Ralph Hodgson
Aah . . . that’s better!
“Sandy” is Right! October 28, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Bulletin Board, Nature, Travel & Leisure.Tags: Beach, Hurricane Sandy, Hurricanes, Nature, Sandy
42 comments
We went to the beach yesterday to watch the waves. It was sunny and warm (in the 70′s) but the wind was fierce and blowing sand stung our bare legs.
The Gulf, normally placid, looked positively angry as it churned away.
We didn’t stay long.
The beach, less populated than usual, contained pockets of people parked in the sand, despite the relentless sand Sandy was flinging at them.
Not many braved the churning surf with RED FLAGS whipping above the lifeguard stand.
We beat a hasty retreat.
Wish Hurricane Sandy would do the same. Then we could all breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Aah . . . that’s better!
If you are in Sandy’s path . . . stay safe.
A Real Whack Job October 24, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Nature, People, Word Play.Tags: Bird, Golf club, Humor, Nature, People, Whack Job
20 comments
Every evening, at half an hour to sunset, a lone patrol strolls with great strides across the berm, whacking and smacking two golf clubs together every few feet to discourage birds from roosting in the trees overnight.
Twilight descends. The birds return. Nature prevails.
What a whack job!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Come A Little Bit Closer October 14, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Amazing Animals, Fun & Games, Humor, Nature.Tags: Bird, Egret, Fun & Games, Humor, Nature, Roseate Spoonbill
41 comments
The best thing about our villa is that it backs up to a nature preserve.
With a profusion of birds of a feather flying in to flock together.
Wood storks, herons, egrets, ibis . . . and the occasional roseate spoonbill.
Did you see him . . . the lone spoonbill? No? How about now?
It helps if you look at the reflections in the water . . . see the pink. There!
Can you see him now?
OK . . . I’m going to reward you for playing along. No binoculars required.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Have you noticed the ”Worth A Fly By” widget I added to SLTW’s sidebar?
It’s a mini billboard on the cyber highway with automatic updates which display and highlight posts we’ve enjoyed on cyber excursions. Thanks WP!
