Hiking the Deep Woods of Olympic National Forest

This road into I wonder where, reminds me of Pepper late in life as he looked into a similar pathway of an image in his nursing home dining room. He said “I wonder where that path leads.” When Pepper said that, it reminded me how Andy spoke of Pepper taking him out one night on the farm and, looking up at the sky, he said “I wonder what’s beyond the stars.” Poet or scientist, creating a sense of wonder leads the mind to wander and wonder.
Barbie – Madison, Wisconsin

Summer Colors

To this day, whenever I’m walking in the conservancy or on a hike in the mountains I always think of you and how you would be stopping to capture the wildflowers. Brings me back to my first YL Wilderness hike with you every time I see a new wildflower in bloom..
Connie – Middleton, Wisconsin

Sonoran Hillside of Saguaro Cactus

Photos of Arizona sunsets and saguaros remind me of several visits to the Grand Canyon State. The bright colors in the west seem serene compared to the triple digit heat that stifles movement during the day. Walking among the saguaros felt like I was walking into an outdated western movie set. I’m sure we’ll return to Arizona to see more of both.
Lori – Mount Horeb, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Farmland from Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area

Driving back to Wisconsin on I-94 southbound offers me one of my favorite sights- farms nestled into the rural Midwest countryside. Barns of various color, the silos and farmhouse resting nearby, and the green of rolling hills and growing crops. Both my parents grew up on farms- I didn’t. But I still feel its energy imprinted on my being. I think of my dad picking strawberries and asparagus, I think of my mom and aunt chasing the barn cats, I think of my grandpa Art working the tractor, I think of my grandma Alma baking bread, I think of my grandpa Pepper feeding the pigs, and my grandma Kathryn planting in the fern garden. So, when on a drive and a distant red barn is spotted, I smile and welcome the warm familiarity of my family’s spirit.
Sarah – Chaska, Minnesota

Hiking the Deep Woods of Olympic National Forest

I can’t help but think of C.S. Lewis’s quote, “Further up and further in!” This image speaks to me of the call of life and the Lord into a deeper adventure and trust.
Josh – Colorado Springs, Colorado