The Hush Lake Tahoe For once, she understood the true light of "Hush".

UnbrokenLake Tahoe As above, so below. As within, so without. She resolved to think better thoughts.

UnbrokenLake Tahoe One morning she was offered an unbroken view of Eternity. She took it. Things were never quite the same after that.

The Stillness of Cool Lake Tahoe, Nevada In the quiet of the stillness of cool she not only felt welcome relief from the heat, but also a little hipper than usual. She smiled. "Cool."

Cairn Reflecting It's like that moment where you take release on the inside and suddenly everything shifts.

Procession

Say Yes What she saw next made her want to say "Yes" to All of It.

Sierra RocksLake Tahoe, Nevada The big rock shining above the little ones below. It was a rocky night... but oh-so-gorgeous!

Storm FlowerEagle Falls, Lake Tahoe Nature is such a drama queen sometimes.

Crazy LoveEagle Falls, Lake Tahoe California It was just the kind of flowery, tumbly, sometimes rocky, always fluid, midsummer sunset crazy kind of love that she would always remember.

FamilyBonsai Rock, Lake Tahoe Even granite boulders have families, right? I'm going to imagine it just that way.

Bonzai!Lake Tahoe, Nevada When worlds merge, everything is possible.

The Colors of Convict The subdued tones belie the colorful past, of a high mountain lake named after convicts. ©Karen Hutton - Creative Commons (CC BY-NC 3.0)

Cup Runneth OverTruckee, California My mother used to say that her "cup runneth over" with blessings. Maybe you just have to live enough to really appreciate this sentiment. But I must say, mine does too. Grateful.

Daily GrindTruckee, California I don't know why I named this "Daily Grind"... except that the colors and textures in this scene reminds me of the way coffee smells. How weird is THAT?

Open ArmsLake Tahoe, Nevada When given an unexpected gift, it is always wise to be grateful and give thanks. ;)

Tahoe Rocks Itself Blue Lake Tahoe, you wear Planet Earth Blue so well!

Storm's A-Brewin'Lake Tahoe, Nevada Drama, sky, storm, sweet.

Stormy MoodLake Tahoe, Nevada She was in a mood. She just was. No getting around it, no talking her out of it. She was beautiful, even then.

On a Wing and a PrayerTruckee, California She said a silent prayer that THIS dream came true. When she looked up at the sky, she realized her wish had just taken flight. She did a little jig.

Glenorchy Road The sign at the start of it says: "The Most Beautiful Road in the World". I think I believe it!

The Clouds Liked Blue Wakatipu Too "Really? Seriously??" I kept thinking at every bend of the road in New Zealand. Stunning beauty everywhere. Like here at Lake Wakatipu, just outside of Queenstown. And the colors!! I kept being reminded of Hawaii, Tahiti and many of the similarly adorned-in-blue places I've seen; there is a likeness amongst them in so many ways.

Shades of BlueLake Wakatipu, New Zealand

The Lake Wakatipu BluesLake Wakatipu, New Zealand Yes, it's really THAT blue! Of course, it depends somewhat upon the light. At 50 miles long, this is the largest lake in New Zealand. Feels like it goes on forever! It's also fah-REEZING cold, being fed by glaciers and all; which also accounts for this amazing color. After the rains earlier

The Big ViewDeer Park Heights, Queenstown New Zealand Just before sunset was often overlooked, in her estimation. She often thought of it like a beautiful overture. Not too overbearing, not trying too hard. More like an invitation. One she gratefully accepted.

Where Dreams Take Root Yep, right here is where it all happens. Hehheh.

Last Dance Truckee, California As the sun bade its final farewell with glorious golden burst, the Mr. & Mrs. thought it the perfect moment for one last dance.

Majestically TahoeLake Tahoe, Nevada side

I Keep Looking For You Across the water, beyond the sun I look for you

Lady Bowen Had a Great FallMilford Sound, New Zealand

Double TakeTruckee, California Her mother summed it up and repeated it often: "Double your expectations of a positive outcome and have twice the fun." She thought it was good advice and sought to follow it to the best of her abilities.

Courage Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand In that moment, she realized that courage was knowing the odds, but sailing on anyway. Radiantly. With panache.

Clearly GlenorchyGlenorchy, New Zealand When I think of Glenorchy, this is what I imagine. The red barn. That green tree on the left. The glacier blue lake. Sometimes simple is simply the best.

On the Road to Mt. CookNew Zealand She knew it the minute she laid eyes upon it: this was the place where "Awe" is made. And then some.

Milford Sound Woke Moody That MorningMilford Sound, New Zealand Rainy, rainy the night before, Milford Sound woke moody and blue in the morning. It happened sometimes, and it frankly wished the tourists would quite imagining that every day was sunshine and fairies. It sent a sand fly to bite one with a camera. Yeah. That kind of moody.

Glacier BlueLake Wakatipu, New Zealand The particular shade of blue that looked good on most everyone. Especially Lake Wakatipu this fine and stormy day.

On Jack's Pointoverlooking Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu

The Heavenly LightLake Wakatipu, New Zealand

The Pointer

Lake Mouse Donner Lake, Truckee CA Is it this: "'Tis a wee mouse, hungry and cold, stopping for a rest on the frigid lake. Someone please give him some cheese!" or this: "Welcome to the newest tech for controlling the natural elements. All lakes will now come with their own mouse so you too can control the effects. Now, have just the right amount of ice, chop, silky smooth and color for your lakeside landscape photographs!" I just can't decide.

Banking On a Glimpse Of YouLake Tahoe, CA When will I see you? When will you float into view? You were right to leave me leashed up here. For surely I would swim to find you. Woof. Stare. Shift. Pant.

Misty For You Donner Lake, CA You're like a memory. A feel-good, life-was-never-better moment... That lasted a day, a week, a lifetime. Only here. And now. You're like an imaginary past, blended to perfection with dreamed-about future. Making Now with you the most miraculous place to be.

The Caribbean of the Sierras Lake Tahoe, NV On a warm day, if you squint your eyes, you'd swear you're somewhere in the Caribbean. Until you notice the pine trees and granite. Or visit in a snow storm. That's Lake Tahoe for ya!

Tahoe CrinklesLake Tahoe, NV Crinkley, green-blue, almost other-wordly gorgeousness. Lake Tahoe is just kinda All That. A mile down in the deep parts... and brrr-cold most of the time! Still, it's a mountain paradise that's second-to-none.

Red Lake. Really?Sierra National Forest One day, I passed through a part of the Sierras where mountain man, trapper, frontiersman and explorer Kit Carson once roamed. Old Kit Carson took part in so many large, historical Wild West events in California, Oregon and the Great Basin area that he had a veritable library of dime novels and tall tales written about him. He even made general without being able to read or write! He could sign his name though. Totally leads the Who's Who pack of Awesome Dudes of the Old West. Imagine a virtual hangout with HIM! What does all this have to do with Red Lake? Well, Kit Carson probably went there. I don't know that for a fact, but based upon the signs I saw along the road and what I know about this part of the mountains... I'd pretty much bet on it. I also think Kit Carson was a smart man. So I'd bet he didn't name this lake. Being that, ummm... it's green and all. Just a few of the thoughts I pondered as I snapped this postcardy overview.