Huntington Beach Wave

I’m not a beach lover by default but on this particular day mid-pandemic, my BFF and I headed out to watch the sunset and get away from news, phones and all things doomsday.

The late afternoon crowds were sparse and the water was clean and clear. After our burger and fries settled and our stomachs hurt from laughing together for the first time in months, I rolled up my jeans, grabbed the camera and struggled thru the thick warm sand.

The waves were powerfully rolling in and the splash and crash was incredible. With only a couple of swimmers in the water, I took the time to just watch as nature created amazing murals over and over right in front of me. This particular wave took by breath away! you could feel the energy of the ocean gearing up for a show, The water level swelled and the sand on the shore receded. In a split second the smooth building water somersaulted over itself, twisted, churned, roared and crashed! The sound was incredible! A watery BOOM!!! I felt it in my gut like when you sail down a rollercoaster track. I realized my arms were above my head, “THAT WAS AWESOME!!!”. I checked the camera and was shocked to find that I had captured the moment!

Lincoln Memorial

In a time when our country should be growing more united during this destructive pandemic, we are seeing the unnecessary divide based on color. It was a hot, sticky day as we walked across the National Mall. As my shirt started pasting itself to my back, I was searching for one of those well-placed vendors selling water out of a cooler. My feet were getting tired (that mall is WAY bigger in person) and I was starting the feel the history around me. Each memorial is powerful. Each section of sidewalk has witnessed peace, struggle, hope, divide, and some of America’s most impactful stories.

As we approached the steps to the Lincoln Memorial I stumbled upon a square with an inscription. Dr. Martin Luther King stood there to deliver his “I have a dream” speech. I paused and looked around. People of all colors were enjoying the day and for a moment I forgot about the current news reels.

The Statue of the President is 19 feet high. I read that if he stood up (like he does at the Disneyland Attraction) he would be a towering 28ft tall! He sits in the middle of a chamber with historic speeches and marble columns. Voices carry on echoes throughout the stone and marble structure. Flip-flops smack against the cool smooth floor. The security guard’s masked, muffled directions could be heard above the crowds doing his best to remind everyone of social distancing efforts. Cameras click and arms stretch to catch a selfie with our 16th President. Children listen on as parents and grandparents try to find age appropriate ways to share a legacy.

With all the noise around I did manage to find some quiet space in my head to reflect. Like the man who gave a speech for civil rights on the steps just a hundred feet away, the President’s life was also taken way too soon. How amazing that their stories intersected in this historic place.

Peggy's Cove

There is a beautiful oft photographed lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia, Canada. Tourists flock there mostly by way of cruise ship excursion busses (I admit, that was also me) and file on to the smooth, rocky terrain. The view was spectacular of Atlantic on the eastern most point of Margaret’s Bay.

Most cameras were of course, pointed at the way-finding wonder for sailors past, but the beautiful postcard village down shore caught my eye. The landscape is littered with bright-colored houses and steepled rooflines. The waves crashed to my left, behind, and on the polished shore in front of me, wind whistled and I had to make sure my hat was secure multiple times, hold on to the camera and try my hardest to keep my footing. The water was creating blue, turquoise and white masterpieces and I was reminded how powerful the ocean can be compared to the serene village scene

42nd and Broadway

As you can imagine, wayfinding in New York City can be overwhelming to put it mildly. I looked for an angle to show the tranquility of Times Square in this image but the reality was quite the opposite.

It’s ALWAYS rush hour in the intersection of tourists and locals and as loud as it is, it’s what makes it NYC. You have to just close you eyes and experience the chaos (but not too long… you bettah keep an eye on your bag!

There are about 13,000 cabs and rideshare vehicles in the Big Apple and they are all trying to make a left hand turn with horns blaring like a symphony, pedestrians reminded you, “Hey, I’m walkin’ here!” with their unmistakable accents, guys and gals dressed in logoed t-shirts offering you tickets to tonight’s Broadway show, bus tour, museum of the (insert oddity here), or restaurant, bike chimes as tourists and messengers zip by, hot dog vendors, performance art on the corner and a zillion cell phone conversations on FaceTime (as if they can hear anything!).

Ahhhhh, the city I love so much!

Zion

Oh beautiful, expansive Zion. How i do love the new level of peace and quiet I was introduced to in my first visit to one of Utah’s National Parks.

As you can see from the image, Zion’s immense scope dwarfs anything manmade. Check out the vehicles that are swallowed up by the scenery. On the left hand side… that’s a Jeep Wrangler- have you ever stood next to a Jeep Wrangler? I mean they aren’t small vehicles by any means and just look at how teeny it is!

And speaking of that Jeep- whenever a car drove past me it was one of the only times the serene landscape soundtrack was interrupted. The majority of the day we enjoyed the breeze tickling the trees, birds chirping and humming a nest-building tune, ground dwelling reptiles and mammals scurrying to their next destination, the occasional small stream cutting through the ground, a hiker discussing their next move and the familiar click of cameras and cell phones trying to capture the complete awe the is Mother Nature.