Want to Hunt for Agates on Roads End, Oregon

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=XCICA4lrEjg

Click here and have fun looking for agates - you might even see an eagle up close!

My Mecca - My labyrinth - A place close to God

Every time I go to Bryce Canyon it is a spiritual experience for me. 2 years ago as we stopped I noticed that the trail at the sunset point had toppled. Well, as we had the opportunity to come back for another hike through the park I started at the sunrise point and made my way to finish up at the sunrise. they have built an entire new trail which has amazing lookout points and it literally comes up through the walls of the canyon giving you the most unique views.

There is always the feeling that "Spiritual Prophets once walked this place and it was a Temple to them and a place to get close to God" I attest that you can't walk thru this beautiful wonderland without feeling spiritual. I put on my tunes with spiritual music and have the most wonderful time with camera in hand. this day was picture perfect with a clear blue sky and at every turn there was a picture to be taken. This was my first opportunity to do the peek a boo loop which added another 2 miles.

I guess I call this place "my mecca" because it's a place where I can come and commune with my inner soul and feel peace and contentment as I bask in the beauty that Heavenly Father created. I wonder if Moroni came here to ponder - I feel that he did. And what about Jesus Christ? Truly it is one of the splendors of the world. My other mecca is the Sacred Grove - another place where the Spirit is very strong.

Finding Agates on Oregon Coast

One of my favorite things to do while I was on our mission in Lincoln City was to hunt for agates on the beach at Roads End. You can see a video by going to youtube.com and search jafravh and there's a cool video of finding agates and you'll see what one looks like. I have a big bowl full of beautiful agates and when you polish them they just sparkle. during the winter months the beach is full of rocks and when you see an agate it's like finding gold. One problem is that instead of enjoying the beautiful views and the surf you end up with your head looking down all the time because you don't want to miss finding an agates.

I was back a few weeks ago and there was so much sand that had come up on the beach that you could walk around on the sand to the different coves which are usually hidden because of the high surf. Guess this only happens every few years. It was a rare treat. Lincoln City, Roads End Oregon

Llamas Make Great Pak Animals

We met this family who had about 5 children and they all had their llama in tow.
They had camped out for a few days. What a great idea. Think how your children would remember this trip. The littlest one had a saddle on her llama and when she got tired she rode the llama.
Just passing along a great idea for a family vacation. Your children would
be forced to look at nature and talk to each other. Hmmmm - that's a good idea!
No telephones, leave the toys at home

Women Who Do it

I joined a Hiking Group of Amazing Women
We stayed in Lone Pine, Wyoming and took 2 incredible day hikes.
We met a lot of groups who were on their way back from one to two weeks on the trails.
The scenery was well worth the effort

Fall at the Base of Mt Ben Lomond

This is a beautiful time to hike Mt Ben Lomond where the North Ogden Canyon divides. I am so excited because it is finally fall and you can feel it in the early morning coolness. You just know fall is arriving because the evenings get cooler and there is that brisk coolness in the morning. The hike takes you to the very top of the mountain where you sit and have lunch and look out over the great Salt Lake and Willard Bay and I must tell you it is a very beautiful view. The hike is 16 miles so you have to start early in the morning. This picture was taken from the other side which is Lewis Peak hike. It is the most vertical climb in Utah and once you get to the top you have this incredible view. Vickie with her Views.

A Double Rainbow Confirmation

What does a double rainbow mean to you. For me it was a sign of a good decision. Richard and I had put in our papers to do another mission for our Church. The day the assignment letter arrived and we were to go to Lincoln City, Oregon, this double rainbow appeared that afternoon right outside our house. For me it was a confirmation that we couldn't be doing anything better with our lives. Funny, but it just touched my heart and and this was a glorious gift from the heavens above. Just had to share with you. I ran to get my camera as the rainbow appeared for a while and it just kept moving around in the sky. It proved to be the best decision and I must admit as I look back on my life that it was the best time of my life. How I loved Oregon and the coast and the new friends awaiting us there.

Dolphins alongside the Catamaran Napilli Coast

Along the trail to Napilli Coastline, you would have these beautiful overviews of the ocean. We came to the first beach and there was a sign posted that warned us not to swim in the ocean. There was a wooden sign with all these x's notched on it. About 50 or more x's. Each x was for a person who died in the ocean from the strong currents. Needless to say, we didn't even wade our feet in the water.

May 2008 - Sunrise on the Kapaa Coastline

Amazing Sunrises - Every morning we'd rush to the window to view the sunrises. My favorite thing was to get on the rented beach bike and ride along the coast on the Kaapa Beaches. There was nothing like having the wind blowing in your face and the surf crashing off the rocks. It was the best way to start the day. I remember one morning having a Jafra conference call and thinking to myself "What a way to work". Kauaii truly is the Garden Island, aloha

We hiked through jungle, over streams, on top of cliffs, and prayed that we wouldn't kill ourselves but this was the goal - to get to the falls.

Take a peek. Was it worth it? The scenery was amazing but the wear and tear on the body took days to mend. Remember 3 ladies in the late 50's and early 60s. What a sight to behold on the trail. Everyone was YOUNGER than us. I remember passing a bronze Goddess - he was European and looked amazing. He had been on the trail for the past 7 days.

Kite Festival Lincoln City, Or

Hike Kauaii Little Grand Canyon

Rich drove us up to the top of Wymea Canyon, Kauai, HI and we hike down to these beautiful falls.
Kris and Ann made the jaunt about 3 miles while Rich read his book in the car. What fabulous views.
See my slide shows. The next hike was one we call the Horrendous Hike. We left from the sign posted at the base of the Napili Coast. It was all up hill and a most rocky trial. We got back about 6 PM and faithful Rich who had enjoyed a beautiful day at the beach was waiting for us. We looked tired. We were tired. But we made it to the falls. 3 old ladies finding their way along the path. One group of young hikers stopped and said "My mom would never be caught dead doing this hike". Well, maybe their moms were smarter than us. We ached for a few days. That downhill was a lot harder on the body than the uphill.