I was thinking about this quote a lot this weekend: "Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike." —John Muir

How true that is and how that resonates in my soul. I love the outdoors and I love the sense of wonder that I feel when I spend time outdoors.

Friday afternoon when Mackenzie and crew and I left to head south for the weekend, I could feel how much I needed this weekend away and this time to just sit and listen and be. Sitting around a crackling campfire in a still forest, with the sound of a stream just down the hill, the sun setting in the west and casting a beautiful glow of light on the red mountains behind us—this is what I needed. Walking under a nearly-full moon with our flashlights turned off because the moon was so bright, marveling at the twinkling stars above and how many more there would have been in a darkened sky, breathing the cool clean air around us—this is what I needed. Sitting on a deck in the early morning listening to birds singing in the valley around me, a hummingbird zooming past then pausing just above where I sat, the smell of sagebrush and pine—this is what I needed.

(If you're in a pinch with no good s'mores sticks, we found a knife will work wonders. And Roald Dahl's ghost stories anthology—one story was creepy enough for us. via)

I loved this weekend with Mackenzie (and crew) because A. she is a dear friend and I love our adventures, B. I love learning more about trees and plants from her, and C. she shares this deep appreciation of the natural world. It was a perfect weekend.

Indian paintbrush - I love these fiery bold wildflowers.

Although I just went to Bryce Canyon not long ago, I loved going again so soon after. It is one of the most incredible places I have ever seen and now that it is spring, wildflowers were blooming and more wildlife was awake and about (hello chipmunks!). The stillness and silence of the canyon is unlike anything I have ever experienced and it is so peaceful there.

Viva la camping!

We watched the sun rise, accompanied by our new Japanese friends,

suffered at the hand of strong winds at Rainbow Point,

explored ghost towns,

"flirted with death," 

marveled at the beauty of nature (I can't get over these pink and yellow mineral deposits in the red rock! They're so beautiful!)

never really mastered the 2-second self timer (this was taken by another hiker),

and took it all in.

The park was so so beautiful and this roadtrip was so needed. I'm thankful for these dear friends who went with me and for the fact that places like this are so close.

And why not? Beautiful views and good company, it doesn't get better than that.

P.S. Remember the time that Limher didn't realize there was a lake there? Ha.

I love your silly ways and spot-on impressions, your French expressions (particularly when you sing "Once there was a snowman" in French) and our late-night heart-to-hearts that always seem to take place outside in the cold. I'm glad we're so similar, but I'm thankful for what makes you unique. Thanks for being one of my best friends.

love you sistah.