Tag Archives: Nature
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
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
In our book, The Restorative Power of Spirit: Poems of Faith and Hope, we honor our connection to the natural world and the loving presence of God and his angels in all that we see and do. Yesterday as we celebrated Thanksgiving, I reflected on the many blessings in my life and the happy memories we have shared as a family. Some of my favorite times have been those spent outdoors. There is something magical about seeing the world through a child’s eyes.
I have only experienced a tiny fraction of this beautiful planet, but I am in awe of the incredible diversity of life that calls this sacred space home. As we celebrate the holiday season, let us take time to appreciate one another and our connection to all life. We can positively shape our future by treading gently upon the Earth and taking steps to preserve the beauty that surrounds us. I pray that we will be good stewards of our planet not only for our children, but for future generations.
Blessings,
Sheryl Brooks
The act of creation allows me to reconnect with a part of my soul that seems to get lost in the stress of everyday life. Whether it’s looking through the lens of the camera, painting a picture with words, or combining materials to create one of a kind greeting cards, there is a joy that comes through the creative process. I love watching an idea take shape and come to life. It’ s especially rewarding being able to share that vision with others.
On Saturday October 22, 2016 my family and I will be at a local farmer’s market where we will be selling our book along with our photography and hand-made greeting cards. Having the opportunity to connect with others in our community is such a blessing.
Look for us at the Glendale Farmer’s Market- Saturday October 22,2016 from 8:00am to 12:00pm in the parking lot of the First United Methodist Church at 58th Drive and Palmaire in Glendale, Arizona. Keep checking back in to see examples of the cards and prints we will be featuring in our booth as well info on future events. We will be signing copies of our book, The Restorative Power of Spirit, as well selling our photography in framed and unframed prints along with inspiration cards and handmade greeting cards!
Our dream is to uplift people’s spirits through our books, pictures, and cards at a price that is accessible to anyone. We look forward to ushering in the holiday season with you!
Blessings to you for the week ahead!
Sincerely,
Sheryl Brooks
California’s central coast has long been a source of inspiration for the creative minds and spirits that have called this stretch of coastline home. The rich tradition of authors, artists, and photographers has become an indelible part of the landscape here. For me, Tor House, the home of poet, Robinson Jeffers, along with Hawk Tower, are not only testaments to Jeffers talent and vision, but to the dramatic beauty of the area. Jeffers arrived in Carmel with his wife Una in 1914 and together they transformed the windswept land atop a rocky cliff to create a home that was in harmony with the wilderness that surrounded them- the steep granite cliffs, the relentless surf, and the stealth beauty of hawks in flight. Jeffers apprenticed himself to a stone mason and built Tor House and Hawk Tower by hand along with planting some two thousand trees. The close affinity he felt to stone and the natural world shaped his writing and helped cultivate his poetic voice. Also influencing his work were the brutality of the times with two World Wars and man’s cruel disregard for life. His poetry explored the cycles of life, the power of nature and the totality of human experience. His writing was prophetic and captured his mystical relationship with the land:
“If you should look for this place after a handful of lifetimes:
Perhaps of my planted forest a few
May stand yet, dark leafed Australians or the coast cypress…..
Look for foundations of sea worn granite, my fingers had the art
to make stone love stone, you will find some remnant.”
-Robinson Jeffers
Tor House
The day we visited Tor House we were greeted by cold winds blowing in from the coast. The grey skies overhead, however, did not diminish the beauty of the buildings or the grounds. The clouds mirrored the color of the granite stones Jeffers used to construct his home and tower. The weather seemed in harmony with the surroundings and I could feel the creative energy and passion that must’ve been poured into each stone that was laid and each tree, flower and bush that was planted. Jeffers found creative inspiration through physical activity and tending to the land. The experience left me inspired to create a similar balance in my own life; to not only develop my voice as a writer, but to connect more closely with the earth.
The docent who led our tour said that people who come to visit Tor House are drawn here and often discover a connection to the place. Besides the obvious connection of a shared love of poetry, I realized there was something else pulling me there- the Hawk. Jeffers designed Hawk Tower as a sacred space for his wife, Una, who played a dynamic role in his life and work. He held a reverent regard for the hawk, which figured prominently in his writing. I too feel a special connection with this beautiful bird. Throughout my stay in California I would look up in the sky and find a hawk soaring in the sky nearby. Even before this vacation, I have had times in my life over the past two years when I may have been feeling stressed or anxious and I have looked up to see either a single hawk or, in rare instances, two or three circling overhead. There is something about this bird’s powerful presence that has a calming effect for me, almost as if I have been visited by a guardian angel. Jeffers’ deep regard for wildlife and the natural world mirrors my own belief that when we spend time in nature we are standing on sacred ground.
My experience visiting Robinson Jeffers’ home left me even more inspired to not only write, but to live in a more mindful place. During the tour, the docent read aloud selections of his poetry that captured his relationship to the earth, his home and with his family; providing a more intimate glimpse into his life. If you love writing, learning about local history or just enjoying a beautiful setting, then a visit to Tor House will not leave you disappointed. Reservations are recommended because tours can fill up quickly depending upon the time of year. Visit the following link to learn more: http://www.torhouse.org/tours.htm.
Regardless of where you call home or what your vocation might be, my hope and prayer is that you are safe and able to enjoy the beauty that surrounds you- whether it’s on a balcony overlooking the city, a hiking trail near your home, or in the privacy of your own backyard. May your creative spirit be inspired as well. Wishing you a blessed end to your week and the promise of a safe and peaceful week ahead.
Sincerely,
Sheryl Brooks
I was looking back through old photographs and discovered this one of my son taken at the Phoenix Zoo back in the summer of 2011. A beautiful moment captured on film that reinforces for me the wonderful connection we share with the world around us. Photography allows us to preserve those moments that would otherwise be lost. So much of our life experience gets lost due to tunnel vision caused by stress and the feeling of being overwhelmed by the responsibilities that come from adult life. I have experienced many times in my own life when stress has clouded my vision and kept me from truly enjoying the life that I was blessed to have. I am so grateful that I had my camera with me that day because this photograph serves as a wonderful reminder of the joy that comes from slowing down and fully experiencing the beautiful connection we share with all living things. The gentle spirit reflected in the baboon’s expression shows we have much to learn from the natural world and that we have a responsibility to be good stewards of the earth.
I wish you a wonderful week and pray that you find moments of quiet joy within your own life.
Blessings to you for the week ahead,
Sheryl Brooks
In my last post I shared my experiences visiting the Grand Canyon and Sedona for the first time and how both places touched my heart. The beautiful and diverse landscape that makes up Arizona provides residents and visitors alike with endless opportunities to reconnect with nature. Yesterday we visited the Hassayampa River Preserve in Wickenburg, Arizona. It is a wooded oasis in the desert filled with cottonwood, willow, and mesquite trees. Walking along the sandy trail and listening to the sounds of birds calling to one another in the tall trees offered a perfect respite from the hectic week that had just ended. As we explored this beautiful habitat, I offered a silent prayer of appreciation to God, his angels, and to our beautiful planet for making this experience possible for me and my family.
I have included two photos from our hike to the Hassayampa Nature Preserve-it’s a beautiful place that is definitely worth the visit. My spirit feels renewed and ready to face the challenges of the coming work week. No matter who you are or where you call home, I pray that you are able to seek out opportunities to find joy and balance in the week ahead.
Many blessings,
Sheryl Brooks