.

puzzle pieces

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Inquiring minds want to know...

































On weekends ~during the "warm season"~ and when time allows, the need to get away from the mundane often arises and we head for the hills.
The Rocky Mountains to be exact. 
Within a few hours we can be lost amongst the majestic stone walls and the beauty they hold.


I came across this set of photos from one of those treks into the wilderness....when 3 years ago we decided to venture out for a day.


Our favorite day hike is a 3 and 1/2 hour drive from our driveway....the hike takes an hour. 
Two if you linger at the head of the falls for lunch.


Every minute of the drive is worth it.


The Falls are spectacular. 
The rushing sound begins to greet you long before you even come close to viewing the source. And once you're close, the spray covers you and your fellow hikers. A welcome mist if the day is warm.
It's when we walk up the trails that inquiring minds begin to speak.
Thoughts rush forward into words, questions are raised- hopeful for answers.

The outdoors and wilderness seems to do that to a person.
The mind seems to clear and simple matters become beautiful thoughts.
And wonderful inquiries.

It was on one of these ventures 3 years ago, that this little guy posed a thought.
Sitting on a large boulder eating trail mix from a small bag,
he looked up at me wonderingly.

Over the rush of water, his biggest thought was:

"How DOES God shut this thing off at night?"


The beauty and wonder of the outdoors.
{Inquiring minds want to know.}

Even if there are no answers, the question is enough.
 And sometimes, can be an answer in itself.

48 comments:

Hilary said...

Magnificent photos and adorable question from that little man! Too cute. :)

Bev said...

Oh... I miss him....out of the mouth of babes....heh?

darlin said...

I LOVE the question, children are so innocent and inquisitive and plain out adorable! Fantastic photos Dawn, the true beauty of God's handiwork captured here!

Eyeliquor 2 said...

Maybe you should change your blogname to Masterpieces! :)
The first image is so beautiful!
Well done!

Liesl said...

Oh,beautiful nature! What was your answer to that question if I may ask?
Kids are so funny.

Joe said...

Ha, ha. Now that is a great question :).

Allison said...

Excellent question! Now that reminds me of my son's comment when I was pregnant... "Mom, how does the doctor get the baby out? With a drill?" :D

Deb said...

I love the questions from kids...so honest and innocent...great photos Dawn...great post...

Judy said...

I miss those questions :(
When you find the answer tho, please let us know ;)

Leah J. Utas said...

I can hear the water rushing. Thanks.

Rick Watson said...

Wow! I'd love to stroll around there for a day or two.
I haven't spent nearly enough time in the Rockies.

TexWisGirl said...

I loved Eyeliquor's suggestion because it would surely fit. You always entertain our eyes with beauty and poke into our minds with your thoughts and musings.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I love remembering the beauty of Summer. It will come again. Thanks for sharing the beauty...
kim

Nancy said...

Hope you get some time to visit this gorgeous location again soon. Thinking about you.... :)

Out on the prairie said...

Nice to be that close to the mountains. I enjoy climbing anf hiking in them I was in some rugged hills yesterday, pretending I was in the mountains.LOL

Alli said...

That is over-the-top precious. You must be dedicated driving three and a half hours there. My favorite hikes always include waterfalls. Something about hiking along streams and waterfalls is so relaxing!

Unknown said...

Amazing beauty in nature Dawn.
HAve a great week.
Costas

Farm Girl said...

Oh so sweet and I love the pictures.

mountain mama said...

great family time and memories ~ there's something amazing about being in the mountains~

Leontien said...

That is an excelent question!

And you pics (as always) are beautiful!

Thanks
Leontien

sage said...

Love the photos. are they from the falls on the headwaters of the Athabasca River? Just south of Jasper?

wayne15575 said...

How wonderful is that? Thanks for sharing

Rambling said...

It would be interesting to see the falls when they are frozen. Possibly dangerous to get there though ...

Paula said...

Wow... gorgeous pictures, Dawn!
And what a little cutie-pie...

bon bon said...

oh wow... stunning view!

that little guy needs to set up camp nearby so he can mark the time it actually goes off.

Jo said...

How darling!
I'm sure that the amazing photos still don't do it justice. That's just the way with nature. Best seen in person.

Lynette Jacobs said...

Stunning photos Dawn...and there is no place closer to God than in nature. I love your sons enquiring mind.

Anonymous said...

I love the mystery of this earth....it fills me up!

love and light

Anonymous said...

ps
one day we MUST hike together!!!!

Val said...

Dawn, truly magical...your words and images.

Elizabeth Grimes said...

What a great posts! Looks like that would certainly take the "mundane" out of things!

Tracy said...

WOW!!! Splendid photos and that little boy's comment is so sweet...thanks so much for sharing this lovliness~

GardenOfDaisies said...

It's just beautiful! And he's a darling little boy! Sometimes children's questions are a lot more thought provoking that adult ones.

Aimee said...

What a beautiful place! And your son is too cute!

Unknown said...

Oh Dawn, he's just too cute!! : )

What a beautiful spot. We have surprisingly a lot of waterfalls in our area, the Artist and I ventured to one for our first date. Thanks for reminding me, I think we're way overdue to return this summer.

~Andrea~

Discovery Street said...

so cute...but a great question :)

Gods creation is amazing...and beyond comprehension sometimes.

Peter said...

Powerful, must be a big tap to turn that off!

Anonymous said...

Majestic, beautiful images, natural beauties that it makes to us happy, make us think. Already wise of your beautiful country .. thank you very much.

Anonymous said...

Ooh !!
Your photos are very impresive !! I like this :))

Bye**

LBB said...

Beautiful photos! Such a sweet question :) I love how he put it!

Debbie said...

beautifil pictures...loved the story!!!!

Randy said...

Such beauty! Missed only at night except by the moon.

Full-On-Forward said...

GORGE0OUS!!!!!!!!!

J

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Dawn I am so glad you found me. I love the mountains your photos make me want to run out West. I am hopefully going to Vancouver and the mountains this summer yeah I love the mountains. Thank you for your great photography. B

A Prelude To... said...

I totally drive 3.5 hours for a 1 hour hike :-)

What's a little time in the car when your reward is a waterfall or seeing a new bird or time spent in nature with your kids!!!

I love the words of babes. So sweet.

Rick said...

Sure - hit me with another bout of nostalgia ! A beautiful place along the Icefields Parkway - the Athabasca ! Simply gorgeous.

Thanks for sharing.

Nicole Austin said...

ha ha! that made me smile. :) i love the fresh eyes of children and the sweet (and often funny) things they say without even trying.

Janie said...

The little guy's big thought is priceless!
Wonderful photos of the waterfall. No wonder it's a favorite outing.