simplification & balance

Jon & I usually watch a movie or episode of a series every night in bed before we fall asleep, but lately it hasn't been feeling right. Our evenings, the only real free time we have in our days that are free from work, seem to be lacking in substance. Yes, we are usually drained from our days at work, but I have been having this growing feeling that by watching something media related & essentially shutting down that I am missing out, that I am not using my time in a fulfilling way. So, last night I suggested that we minimize our media watching & spend more of our evenings unplugged. After only one night I can feel the change, the benefit. I was able to do so many other things - I brewed lose leaf tea & we sat together talking as we drank, we listed to music, we sang, we dreamed & brainstormed about the home we wish to have in the future, I began reading a new book Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail - it was all wonderful & much more fulfilling - our brains were engaged, but at the same time we felt relaxed. By questioning our actions, by analyzing how we feel, & making a simple change we can create a new path for ourselves. In the future, I plan on being more mindful of my feelings & I will analyze how certain actions or habits really make me feel...who know what other changes will result, but I'm looking forward to this new frame of mind. 

*The photo above is from at afternoon we spent in the park across from where we live. What I am walking across is a Slackline. I've had it for some time now & it's a really fun activity that gives you a workout as well. If you decide to get one don't be discouraged it's quite hard at first because you are using muscles you don't usually use, but with practice you learn quickly & it's a blast!

Have a wonderful weekend <3

Colorado - An adventure along the Colorado River - Part 2: Camping

Camped 

2 nights

Kitchen with a view, & even when camping in the woods he's still a wonderful chef :)

View of the river from our campsite.

Bluebells <3

There's something amazing to me about having it be 80 degrees where I stand & being able to see snow on mountains in the distance.

So many beautiful wildflowers.

Breakfast burritos!

Snow melt creating a waterfall down the mountain side that flows into the river below.

This was an amazing adventure, I can't wait to go back.
Plus I'm already itching to go camping again, sleeping outside is my favorite.

Colroado - An adventure along the Colorado River - Part 1: Rafting

Section Rafted 

Pump House ---> Rancho Del Rio

Miles  -  Hours

9            5

Rapids Crossed

Needle Eye - class 3

Yarmony - class 3

Stops Made

An old abandoned cabin 

An island, for lunch

"Dinosaur Footprints"

Wildlife Spotted

2 Bald Eagles

1 Elk 

1 Otter 

1 Red-winged Black Bird 

3 Red Tailed Hawks

1 snake 

Where we put into the River - Pump House

Stop 1 - An old Cabin along the river.

Tail end of one of the rapids we went through. I didn't take my camera out of it's water proof bag on the rapids.

There is a natural hot spring trickling out of the bottom of the rock on the left, you can see the lime build up on the bottom left of the rock as well...you can usually see a more defined circle of a pool, but the water was high enough to cover it.

Stop 2 - Island, for lunch.

Can you spot the bald eagle?

Stop 3 - Dinosaur Footprints, you can see Jon observing them.

The snake! The largest one I've see in the wild.

This day on the Colorado River is one I will never forget. The beauty of the whole journey from the landscapes & wildlife we got to see to the peacefulness of it all was truly magical. The river leaves you in awe as you float along it, its mere power is something I had not fully comprehended until this journey.