But we couldn't really take the Breeze to Hawaii!

The first thing that struck me about the resort was the aroma. Flowers were in bloom everywhere!

We have the privilege of spending this week at King's Land resort on the island of Hawaii.  It's our 49th state on this recent tour.  

The resort was gorgeous with beautiful landscaping,

fabulous pools,

excellent condos, and golf.

We visited the Kiele O Kona estate where Barbara and Fred showed us the coffee beans and the process. And of course I bought some coffee!

Playing in the surf at sunset (Hapuna Beach, Hawaii)

The rest are pictures of the same geography, a fisherman on the point as sunset approaches.

A rainy day in Rocky Mountain National Park

I had a fabulous day in the park on Sunday.  I was hoping for moose, but saw many, many elk instead.  It was as much fun to watch the people as they watched the animals. Anytime I saw  more than 5 cars together, I knew that there was an animal sighting.  The rangers were so patient as they explained the animals, their habits, and rutting behavior (over and over all day long!)

She just peeked out from behind the trees

This young buck was looking for love, but the girls just weren't interested!

We had very dark and rainy skies

The sun popped out on occasion

He's on the hunt

I think he's waiting for the other antler to catch up!

I didn't see the tiny rainbow until after I uploaded the photos!

On the way home, I had to put the herd in silhouette!

Every time I see the sun rays break through, I am reminded that God has plans for us!
Jer 29:11

Plan B: Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park

We postponed our trip to Yellowstone because of the Montana wildfires and the significant smoke in the region. But Plan B offers beauty relaxation and some new and familiar sights.  We arrived in town and unbeknownst to us there was a Scottish festival in town.  People were practicing bagpipes at the campsite and there was a definite international flare to the visitors. Mark enjoyed the opening day of college football while I ventured into the park.

I took the original, unpaved, road through part of the park.  Rushing water was my music of the day as Chapin Creek could be heard rushing by my window for most of the ride.

The sky was overcast so part of the creek was in sun and part in shade.  It provided a nice effect at this man-made fall. (or is it falls?)

The creek.

The proverbial trees falling in the forest.  They are heard only by the many animal inhabitants!

The aspens are turning golden at the higher altitudes.  Thanks Alex Phung for your great tips!

Photo friends, I pulled out my 100mm macro for this shot.

Rocky Mountain high!

This guy was right outside my window. We watched each other for about 15 minutes when I finally decided to move on. 

Photo friends: I was very excited to use my new Sigma 150-600mm long lens for this.  Handheld, it was still clear enough to crop at 600! This was my kind of hunting. 

Manatee Springs Florida, a hidden gem

With the addition of over 100 million gallons of water daily, Manatee springs is one of Florida's largest natural springs and a natural national landmark.  It is home to manatee in the winter months (and we missed them by 2 days!) but that opened up the 25 foot deep pool for swimming in brisk but beautiful clear spring water.  It was an amazing spot, beautiful freshwater swamps and lots of wildlife.  A new favorite Florida destination for me!

The swamps were beautiful.  It looked like this tree was a maple, the little red things were similar to the helicopters we get on the maples each fall.

I think if I were learning to kayak, this would be the place to do it. The waters were so calm and the current from the springs made for a nice easy drift outward. 

I think that all of those cone shaped things are roots.  I'm not really sure.  But all of the foreground was swamp, but it was freshwater so there wasn't an odor.  Just beautiful.

He seemed to be the traffic director as you entered the river.  

Lots of oak trees, so, lots of squirrels!

The first thing that struck me about Florida woodlands was the coexistence of palms and other trees. The palmettos are made into a dish called swamp cabbage.  Not my favorite way to eat hearts of palm, but a local favorite.

The banded watersnake: not venomous but still not something I wanted to mess with!

Tarpon Springs, Florida

The birds were everywhere!  I noticed 3 types of gulls and none of them were shy.  

I think this is a great blue heron.  This was a huge bird, beautiful with some interesting mannerisms.

These horseshoe crab could really move! they were so fast!

I think that this is a great egret.  Its neck seemed to bend in every direction.

One of the many birds.