Elizabeth's Secret Garden

  The skies were ocean blue and no haze cascaded into the canyon. The snow was slowly melting and a layer of ice was still present. These were the hiking conditions when going to the South Rim in March. When hiking to Ooh Aah Point in mid March, you will want a jacket handy is tip one. As my friend and I descended into the canyon the melting ice made the trails slippery. We had to take it very slowly at certain patches. We were certainly glad that we started the hike after lunch as the conditions would have been certainly worse. Make sure to bring plenty of water and snacks. I'd estimate it was about 1.5 hours to hike down if not more, but the views were worth it. A pleasant breeze swept across.  Here is a good view of the trail from the top. You can go all the way down into the Canyon from here, but the sun was starting to set so we decided to make our way back up. Also, we were tired from all that hiking! Make sure to pack plenty of sunscreen regardless of the season. Also, ...

Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco has a variety of places to explore. There are places for those wanting to experience different cultures, those who are foodies (had the best burger ever at Artisan Burgers), if you like seeing art and incredible structures, or simply want to enjoy the beauty of nature. It is four hours from Yosemite if you want to be blown away by the majesty of God's creation.  The iconic symbol of San Francisco, The Golden Gate bridge, is a must see. It might take some patience to get the perfect view though. My husband and I went in March and when we went to view it from the Mainlands, it was completed encompassed by clouds. Our willingness to wait was worth it and though I didn't get the perfect shot, I loved the photo effect that occurred from the Golden Gate Bridge emerging from the clouds. I recommend viewing it from different locations. There is no toll fees leaving San Francisco, but you have to pay to come back via the bridge. If you have a...

Bright and early began a journey that my husband and I would take. A journey that would take us deep into the woods of Yosemite. Here we were after taking a plane to the other side of the country quite literally and then taking a four hour journey from San Francisco to Yosemite in the little fiesta we rented. It was quite something. With the windy roads and this little car taking us up mountain roads. As I peered out the windows, I saw breathtaking views. Views right out of a movie. We passed through little mountain towns of only a few thousand people. Forests that appeared to have been toasted by flames that ravished through. We stopped at some view points along the way. The images are forever imprinted in my memory.                                                                            ...

Peaceful, tranquil, serene...these are the words that describe the Japanese Tea Garden in  the Golden Gate State Park, San Francisco. Popping with color and a vibrancy that is pleasing to the eye, it was an experience I will always remember. It was well attended most clearly and I breathed in with wonder as my husband and I crossed over the bridge, viewed the pagodas, and threaded  upon the stone paths.  I quote from the Japanese Tea Garden's website: "Today, the Japanese Tea Garden endures as one of the most popular attractions in San Francisco, featuring classic elements such as an arched drum bridge, pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds and a zen garden." Check it out:  https://www.japaneseteagardensf.com   So how did this garden get its start you may ask? Well, it began as part of the World Fair. The California Midwinter International Exposition of 1894. It was origina...

Meet giants of the natural world, The Redwood tree. My dream for over a decade has been to witness the grandness of these trees. Their thick, rugged, red bark. Their looming height and circumference. And the habitat in which these enormous trees dwell. I’ve climbed waterfalls of Costa Rica and hiked the mountains of the Appalachians, but nothing has compared to what I witnessed at Muir Woods. A testament to God’s incredible creation! It was ever so peaceful. My husband, Matt, and I went this month and the trail we hiked was a path less traveled. It was so quiet that we took moments and just stood still to hear the calls of various birds. The trail we hiked took us through bare meadows and up the mountainside that held these giant trees. As soon as you enter the forest, there is an immediate change of temperature. It is cool, breezy, and moist. It is peaceful and tranquil. In less than 5 minutes, we went from short sleeves and getting sunburned, to jackets and chilly weather. How...

About seven years ago, I had a dream. A dream to go to Lancaster County and see the Amish Community. My mom and I cherished the novels that were set in the country side of the Amish community. After being on my bucket list for all these years, the opportunity presented itself to go and better still to serve there. We volunteered with an organization call GAIN or Global Aid Network. They ship supplies such as food, clothing, shoes, blankets, and school supplies over seas and then CRU distributes it and after meeting those needs, they have the opportunity to touch lives with the Gospel of Jesus. We made quilts to give away! https://www.gainusa.org   Pictures of Lancaster Countryside In the distance is a teenage boy plowing the field the old fashioned way with horses. Carriage tour going down the road. The local Cemetery. Tips for Eating Out: The first big tourist place to stop would be the Central Market. You can walk through an entire indoor market of local farmers and artisans. Th...