To whoever is not listening to the sea

Rufus at the Grand Canyon.

East Austin

Location: Travis County, TX

Hot hiking today at Reimers Ranch Park, in Travis County. 

Location: Barton Springs Pool, Austin Texas. 

This three-acre pool is spring-fed and sits right in the city. Fun fact, it's one of two spring-fed pools in the city. 

Location: Texas State Capitol 

The building is impressive — there are stars everywhere. Carved into the chairs, on the door knobs, in the floors — the door hinges even say: Texas State Capitol. 

Location: The Contemporary, Austin, TX

Location: Austin, TX

Among many other accomplishments, LBJ founded the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and NPR. 

Location: East Beach, Santa Barbara

Location: East Beach, Santa Barbara, CA

Location: Cataloochee Trail, Great Smoky National Park

The Swag is an awfully nice hotel in the middle of the forest, that allows hikers take a peak at the view from their grounds. We were hikers, not guests.  (A night is about $400). 

Location: Cataloochee Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park 

The Cherokee that lived in the area used to bend saplings like this to use them as a marker to signal the desired direction to take on the trail. 

Location: Waynesville, NC 

Hemphill Road Trail

Location: Mt Gretna, PA

We've been watching this grow over our six weeks in Gretna. It's now over two feet across!

Location: Centralia, PA 

An underground coal fire started in Centralia in 1962 — and continues to burn today.  All the homes but a few were taken under eminent domain. As of 2013, 7 people lived in the town, which once had a population of 1,000. 

Location: Promised Land State Park, PA

Location: Promised Land State Park, PA (Poconos)

Location: Governor Dick, Mount Gretna, PA

On a short hike, I was pleasantly surprised to come upon a field of wildflowers and lots of butterflies. 

Location: Mount Gretna, PA

Location: Lancaster, PA

Shoofly Pie and a new straw hat. There's a reason Wendy's Dad has a smile on his face!

Location: Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area 

We haven't been hiking in two-weeks, it was great to be back at it particularly given the bounty of wildflowers that were on hand to greet us!

Location: Alpaca Farm,  Roscoe, NY

Location: Bethel Woods — Bethel, New York

Location: Calicoon, NY

Location: Ben Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA

Location: Washington DC

We relived some memories from last year's stay near Joshua Tree National Park, while also reliving memories from high school when the U2 Joshua Tree album came out!

Location: Colonial Beach, VA

We bought a kayak!  We are going to be near water for the rest of the year, so we figured, why not? 

Location: Colonial Beach, VA

Location: Colonial Beach, VA

There are still signs of the area's hey day(s) around, from Victorian vacation homes, to small hotels like these. 

Colonial Beach was founded in 1892. 

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Location: Washington DC 

Sculpture Garden

Location: Washington DC

200,000 marched for climate, jobs & justice!

Location: Davy Crockett State Park, Lawrencberg, TN

Location: Natchez Trace Trail, TN

Location: Nashville, TN

Tea Ceremony. (Nissan has a regional headquarters nearby.  It was a big festival.)

Location: Nashville, TN

Location: Bells Bend Park, Nashville

Location: Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville

Location: Regina Spektor at the Ryman, Nashville, TN

Location: Nashville, TN