The past few months have allowed little time for writing, but I am finally in a space where I have both the time and the energy to capture my thoughts on paper. The holiday season is a time to reflect and give thanks for all that brings you joy. Some of my most treasured memories involve time spent outdoors with family. Whether we are by the coast or exploring our own backyard, I love being outside. Unfortunately, the cold and flu season has limited our level of activity in recent weeks, so for now, I have to be content with our patio.
Time spent outdoors enhances not only your physical well-being, but your mental and spiritual health. The beauty of the natural world should be accessible to all people-regardless of your level of mobility. Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience all that our beautiful planet has to offer. From wooded paths to saguaro lined trails, Arizona has an incredibly beautiful and diverse landscape. I am not very sure- footed, so I am always looking out for trails that are easily accessible to hikers of all ability levels. We have discovered two walking trails in Arizona that are accessible to individuals with all ranges of mobility- the Bajada Trail at Gateway Trailhead in the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in Scottsdale and the Canopy Trail at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood. Both trails provide scenic views that can be enjoyed by all visitors.
Bajada Trail
Photographing Teddy Bear Cholla Cacti
Bajada Trail at Gateway Trailhead in the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy offers stunning desert vistas with the McDowell Mountains in the background.
Scenic vistas from Bajada Trail
The half-mile trail is family friendly with interactive exhibits that educate visitors about the area. The smooth surface allows individuals with mobility challenges to enjoy the beauty of the Sonoran landscape without having to worry about accessibility or risk for injury.
Bajada Trail
The following link offers additional information about all the trails at the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy http://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/visit-the-preserve/trailheads/
Educational Exhibits on the Bajada Trail
Canopy Trail
Easily Accessible Canopy Trail
A drive up north to Cottonwood will take you to Dead Horse Ranch State Park and the Canopy Trail- a wheelchair accessible wooded path that is designated for individuals with chemical sensitivities. The loop trail is less than a quarter mile in length and runs through a canopy of Fremont cottonwood trees. A stroll along the shaded walkway is a welcome retreat from the heat and an ideal spot for bird watching.
Canopy Trail at Dead Horse Ranch State Park.
Shady Rest Stop along the Canopy Trail
For additional information about Dead Horse Ranch State Park, click on the following link: https://azstateparks.com/dead-horse/things-to-do/trail.
I believe every family should have the opportunity to experience the beauty of the natural world together. Whether you are a reliant on braces, confined to a wheelchair, or like me- a little less sure-footed, nature’s blessings should be accessible to everyone.
For more extensive information regarding recreation sites and nature trails that are accessible to individuals with disabilities in Arizona, I discovered the following two sites: Accessible Nature http://www.accessiblenature.info/?page_id=44 and Accessing Arizona by Loren Worthington http://www.accessingarizona.com/
A collection of our Arizona images is available for download and purchase at Bigstock:
https://www.bigstockphoto.com/search/?contributor=SILVERBROOK+IMAGES&safesearch=n
Wishing everyone a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year!
With blessings,
Sheryl Brooks
Welcome to Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove, California
Heaven’s Blessing at Sunset
As I was pulling into my driveway this evening, I saw this beautiful cloud illuminated by the setting sun. Something told me to take pictures before the light faded. As I looked through the lens I saw this beautiful green orb- something I couldn’t see with the naked eye. At first it appeared low in the silhouette of the trees. Then, when I snapped the picture again, it was hovering above the clouds. For several days now, I have been saying prayers on behalf of family and friends in need of healing (myself included). I have always believed in the healing power of angels, especially the green healing light of Archangel Raphael. In times of both joy and sorrow I have felt the loving presence of God and his family of angels grace my life. There have been times when my days have been clouded by the dark shadow of depression, but even in darkness there is light. Sometimes prayers are not answered as quickly or in the manner you were hoping for. However, no prayer goes unheard. I believe tonight God heard mine.
Wishing you a blessed night and may God’s angels be with you. Wrapping you in love and light.
Sincerely,
Sheryl Brooks
Alex Looking Out at the Coast Guard Pier
Some of my happiest memories we have shared as a family have been spent outdoors. Every year we make the 14 hour drive from our home in Peoria, Arizona to Carmel to visit my parents who have been living there since 1989. The central coast of California provides many opportunities to appreciate and photograph the beauty of the natural world. I will be writing a series of blogs about exploring the Monterey Peninsula beginning with the Coast Guard Pier in Monterey.
Father and son at the Coast Guard Pier Monterey, CA July 2015
A walk along the Coast Guard Pier in Monterey offers wonderful views of wildlife, the shoreline, and the harbor. I love to watch the sea lions that gather on the rocks surrounding the pier. Whether they are animated and calling out to one-off my another or sitting in quiet repose, there are plenty of camera worthy moments.
Sea Lion in Monterey
Two of the poems included in our book, The Restorative Power of Spirit: Poems of Faith and Hope, were inspired by photographs taken of sea lions resting by the pier. Photography and writing both allow me to truly appreciate and celebrate the beauty and artistry of all living beings.
Nature’s Blessing
Your Moment
In addition to sea lions, on any given day you may discover sea otters enjoying a meal, a starfish resting just below the water’s surface and/or crabs inching along the rocks.
Sea otter in Monterey
Marine life photo collage
View of Cannery Row from Coast Guard Pier
To find out more about visiting the Coast Guard Pier in Monterey click on the following link: http://monterey.org/Services/Harbor-and-Marina/Coast-Guard-Pier.
To see more images from Monterey and the central coast, I invite you to visit our portfolio at Bigstock:
https://www.bigstockphoto.com/search/contributor=SILVERBROOK+IMAGES&safesearch=n
Be sure to check back in next time when I will be visiting Pacific Grove!
Also, coming soon-the launch of our new online shop on Shopify.com- SILVERBROOK IMAGES: experiencing life one picture at a time.
Wishing you a wonderful day and safe travels!
Sheryl Brooks
Temecula City Hall and Villa di Calabro Winery
To celebrate 20 years of marriage, my husband and I ventured out of Arizona to enjoy an extended weekend in Temecula, California- a picturesque city in Southern California approximately 60 miles north of San Diego. The Temecula Valley is home to a growing wine region that boasts over 30 wineries. Ever since our honeymoon in Napa Valley, we have enjoyed exploring the different wine regions in California and Arizona. The stunning views and the beautiful grounds of the different wineries and their vineyards make for a memorable and romantic experience.
The Temecula Valley is only a five hour drive from our home in Peoria, Arizona. We spent our first day exploring Old Town Temecula, an eclectic mix of restaurants, gift shops, and tasting rooms. At Villa di Calabro Winery we toasted our anniversary with red wine and sampled a delicious variety of herb infused olive oils paired with different flavored balsamic vinegars. After dinner, we enjoyed a leisurely stoll around Lake Harveston, just a short drive from Old Town.
Our next two days were spent exploring the different wineries. The experience of driving past rolling hills lined with grapevines invariably takes us back to our honeymoon. The beautiful setting and relaxed, friendly atmosphere of the different tasting rooms we visited made this anniversary celebration one we will never forget. Here are a few images from some of the wineries that we visited-
Falkner Winery and Pinnacle Restaurant
Maurice Car’ rie Winery
Longshadow Ranch Winery
1969 was a good year- Birth year for both Mount Palomar Winery and Joe!
Cougar Winery
Danza del Sol
For more information about the Temecula Wine Valley, including the different wineries and discount promotions available, visit http://www.temeculawines.org I highly recommend checking out the Sip Passport if you will be visiting during the week.
No matter where you travel to- whether you are close to home or far away- may your journey be safe and your memories joyful!
Happy Travels!
Sheryl Brooks
My husband and son at the trail’s entrance
Water partially fills the well
There is something wonderful about exploring your own backyard. We took a Sunday drive from our home in Peoria, Arizona to visit the Verde Valley. In less than two hours, we had escaped the Valley heat and travelled to an elevation of 3560 feet to visit Montezuma’s Well, a detached unit of Montezuma’s Castle National Monument. Montezuma’s Well is a collapsed travertine dome that partially fills with water rising deep from the ground and exits through a swallet or channel in the travertine. An estimated 1.6 million gallons of water flows daily through four vents at the bottom of the well, eventually emptying out into an irrigation ditch on the other side. The National Park Service reports that some parts of the ditch are believed to be 1000 years old. To visit Montezuma’s Well is to walk in the footsteps of history. The legacy of the Sinaguan Indians can be seen in the cliff dwellings that are carved into the limestone walls of the well. The land is still considered sacred and you can feel the energy of the people who once called this area home. It is a beautiful hike and definitely worth the trip. For more information about Montezuma’s Well, visit the website of the National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/moca/planyourvisit/exploring-montezuma-well.htm
Looking out over Montezuma’s Well
Ruins of cliff dwellings in the limestone rock
There is a lot to be said for exploring your own backyard. A day trip can offer a simple, but enjoyable retreat from your everyday routine. No matter where your travels may take you in the days and weeks ahead, I pray that you are safe and that the memories you create are filled with joy
Happy Travels!
Sheryl Brooks
Welcome home Alex
Happy 13th Birthday
Once there was the promise of you-
and now in the blink of an eye
I went from holding you in my arms
a few minutes old
to standing beside you-
13 years old.
The journey that has brought us from then to now
has been one of unexpected detours
and changes in direction.
Not following the expected course-
we’re learning together.
Shared steps on an altered path
I treasure every moment-
knowing that I was meant to be your mom.
Wishing all moms a very happy Mother’s Day!
Blessings,
Sheryl Brooks
On this holy night, graced by the first night of Hanukkah and Christmas Eve, I want to offer up a prayer to Heaven of peace for all people. Regardless of your spiritual journey, may God’s loving light awaken in you your soul’s true purpose and guide you to act in accordance with your higher self. I believe every individual possesses their own unique spark of divine light and together we can can light a pathway to a more peaceful world. Though our spiritual traditions and beliefs may differ, I believe every path ultimately leads back to the same loving source. The poem, Your Moment, from our book, The Restorative Power of Spirit: Poems of Faith and Hope, is a statement about the light of God that can be found within every heart. I pray that people will find unity in faith and come together in prayer this holiday season.
Your Moment
Wishing you a blessed holiday!
Sheryl Brooks
My mother-in-law’s dog, Ziggy, came into our lives shortly before my father-in-law went into the hospital. My mother-in-law had taken our son, Alex, who was 6 at the time, to the local Humane Society to donate some old bedding to be used in the kennels. They walked through the aisles of cats and dogs. Normally, they would just walk through and leave, but this time it was different. It was love at first sight. My son spotted Ziggy, an older female cocker spaniel and basset hound mix, and wouldn’t leave her side. One of the volunteers said she needed to be taken outside, so they accompanied her outside and it was as if Alex and Ziggy had always known each other. My in-laws have always been animal people, so when my mother-in-law called my father-in-law, he gave her the green light to bring Ziggy home. I do believe God brought Ziggy to us because within a few months after moving in with my in-laws, my father-in-law went into the hospital where he would remain until he died in December of that year. Ziggy was the loving presence my mother-in-law needed and a comfort to us all. Ziggy helped my son overcome his fear of dogs and became his devoted friend. The bond that existed between my son and Ziggy was one of pure magic.
The photo above was taken a few months before we had to say our goodbyes to Ziggy. She was with our family for 6 years. An older dog when my mother-in- law adopted her, we estimate she was about 18 years old when she had to be put to sleep. The night she passed, I was in a twilight state and as I started to drift off I suddenly could feel her soft ears and face in my hand. While still drifting I suddenly heard children calling her name. I like to believe that she had come to see me and would continue to be touching children’s lives even in Heaven.
Fast forward to almost a year later, and Ziggy has continued to hold a special place in our hearts and memories. She also finds ways of making her gentle presence known. I was at a park not too long ago and this dog came up to me. I started petting her and talking with her owner. To my great surprise, her owner said her name was Ziggy. When she rubbed her head against me, her owner said she would only do that for a small percentage of people. I felt love pour from her and tears started to well up in my eyes because I knew that this was our Ziggy letting me know that she was at peace and would always be with us.
If you have lost a beloved pet, know that their spirit will always be with you. You might even start to notice signs that they are close by. The love we share with our animals is a blessing and this bond will continue from this world to the next.
May the loving presence of Spirit be with you always.
Blessings,
Sheryl Brooks
Redemption from Fear
Life is a balancing act and sometimes the stress of trying to manage everyday responsibilities can become too much. If you feel yourself slipping into that negative space, know that you are not alone. If left unchecked, feelings of sadness or fear can begin to weigh heavily upon your soul- creating a darkness that soon envelops you and keeps you captive in its stubborn embrace. I have been there and understand the toll feelings of depression and anxiety can have on your mind, body, and spirit. There is no shame in seeking professional help. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is allow someone to see you at your weakest. You don’t have to face those moments of darkness alone. In addition to getting the support of a professional, time spent in prayer can also provide comfort. I have felt the presence of God and his angels in my life in some of my darkest moments. Those experiences of love and light inspired both my husband and I to publish our book, The Restorative Power of Spirit: Poems of Faith and Hope. Our hope is that our book will be a source of comfort to those in need of a loving positive message. No one should feel alone or ashamed because they are suffering emotionally, mentally, or spiritually and are in need of help. May God’s angels light a pathway out of despair, so that you can finally begin to see the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
With angels you are never alone
Blessings,
Sheryl Brooks