Happy Tuesday!! I've missed all of you!! I want to sincerely thank those of you who stopped by while I was away on vacation. I appreciate you all so much!! I am trying my best to catch up but it will probably be a couple of days before I can get around to visit. I have a winner to announce for the Fuse Tool but first, I'd like to share a few pictures of my trip. If you want, you can skip the pics and scroll down to the bottom for the winner :)
So...originally we planned on heading to the east coast (my mermaid self was looking forward to the ocean waves), but after seeing the weather reports, we decided (at the last minute) to head west instead (my thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by Hurricane Joaquin). We literally planned the trip one day at a time...deciding on where we would go next each evening.
Our first stop was through Saguaro National Park in Arizona...we've been there before but it's separated into two parts. We drove through the one we hadn't visited before.
Our next stop was Death Valley National Park. Okay...I try not to be superstitious, really, I do. But when a raven lands on a Death Valley sign while you are there...a little spooky.
It was a harbinger...
Death Valley is an incredible place of rocky mountains and sandy floors (and incredible heat!!)
How amazing to be that far below sea level!!
Next, we visited Kings Canyon National Park, and...
Sequoia National Park. The trees are so freaking huge, I couldn't get all of one in a shot :)
Then we visited Yosemite, which is one of my all-time favorite National Parks for the incredible scenery. Here's El Capitan...
and a beautiful mountain lake with snow on the distant peaks.
I always try to capture wildlife when we are traveling and I got this guy in Yosemite.
We saw a few roadrunners, and I was able to capture this adorable one. We were headed to another national park and then we were going to the coast to travel Highway 101 from LA to San Diego when we got a call that my Dad's younger brother passed away. (I try not to be superstitious, but apparently that raven in Death Valley was trying to tell us something). He'd been fighting Multiple Myeloma for a few years but he was fine when we left. He developed a cold which turned into pneumonia and he refused to go to a hospital. He said he was ready to go and a few hours later, he passed. We rushed to get back home, even blowing out a tire on the RV in New Mexico.
I snapped this over the Saltan Sea in California...I took it as a sign that God is watching over us in good times and bad. So, the first part of the trip was wonderful but the last was stressful. I'm dealing with family issues right now so it will be a few days before I can get around to visit all of you. Please bear with me.
And now for the winner of the Fuse Tool...Thank you all who entered!! I'm sorry there can only be one winner!! I used Random.org to select and it chose......
And #6 is................... Annie Rose !! Congrats, Annie Rose!! Please email me at indymermaid(at)yahoo(dot)com and I will get the Fuse Tool in the mail to you!!
Thank you again all who entered and to those of you who supported me while I was gone!! I'll be by soon!! I've missed you and can't wait to reconnect!! Have a great day :)
So...originally we planned on heading to the east coast (my mermaid self was looking forward to the ocean waves), but after seeing the weather reports, we decided (at the last minute) to head west instead (my thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by Hurricane Joaquin). We literally planned the trip one day at a time...deciding on where we would go next each evening.
Our first stop was through Saguaro National Park in Arizona...we've been there before but it's separated into two parts. We drove through the one we hadn't visited before.
Our next stop was Death Valley National Park. Okay...I try not to be superstitious, really, I do. But when a raven lands on a Death Valley sign while you are there...a little spooky.
It was a harbinger...
Death Valley is an incredible place of rocky mountains and sandy floors (and incredible heat!!)
How amazing to be that far below sea level!!
Next, we visited Kings Canyon National Park, and...
Sequoia National Park. The trees are so freaking huge, I couldn't get all of one in a shot :)
Then we visited Yosemite, which is one of my all-time favorite National Parks for the incredible scenery. Here's El Capitan...
and a beautiful mountain lake with snow on the distant peaks.
I always try to capture wildlife when we are traveling and I got this guy in Yosemite.
We saw a few roadrunners, and I was able to capture this adorable one. We were headed to another national park and then we were going to the coast to travel Highway 101 from LA to San Diego when we got a call that my Dad's younger brother passed away. (I try not to be superstitious, but apparently that raven in Death Valley was trying to tell us something). He'd been fighting Multiple Myeloma for a few years but he was fine when we left. He developed a cold which turned into pneumonia and he refused to go to a hospital. He said he was ready to go and a few hours later, he passed. We rushed to get back home, even blowing out a tire on the RV in New Mexico.
I snapped this over the Saltan Sea in California...I took it as a sign that God is watching over us in good times and bad. So, the first part of the trip was wonderful but the last was stressful. I'm dealing with family issues right now so it will be a few days before I can get around to visit all of you. Please bear with me.
And now for the winner of the Fuse Tool...Thank you all who entered!! I'm sorry there can only be one winner!! I used Random.org to select and it chose......
And #6 is................... Annie Rose !! Congrats, Annie Rose!! Please email me at indymermaid(at)yahoo(dot)com and I will get the Fuse Tool in the mail to you!!
Thank you again all who entered and to those of you who supported me while I was gone!! I'll be by soon!! I've missed you and can't wait to reconnect!! Have a great day :)
73 comments:
Sorry to hear about your loss. We Chinese also do believe something bad will happen when out of nowhere a black crow appear and crowing. You take care Lisa. God is watching us every second indeed.
warm hugs,
Heaney
WOW Lisa! Beautiful Pictures... What a wonderful view coming all the way out west! You probably weren't that far from me!! LOL Glad you got some relaxation.... I'm also so very sorry to read about your Uncle's passing while on your trip.. I'll say a few prayers for you and your family as you try to get through this difficult time.... HUGS!! I'm glad you made it home safely....
Theresa
These pictures are beautiful!
Greetings, Sofie
http://sofies-succulent-beads.blogspot.be/
very nice photos
I like this bird!
it's super cute!
congratulations to winner!
Stunning photographs Lisa! Thanks for showing them to us! We too, have visited Death Valley and Badwater and you're right about the heat!! Glad to have you back my friend! Have a good week! Hazel xx
Beautiful photos Lisa looks wonderful glad you had a lovely time
Kevin xx
Looks like you visited some beautiful parts of the country. Great photos. Sorry your trip got cut short by your uncle's passing.
So good to have you back...you were missed big time! And take it easy for a few days and settle down before you blog visit...I always have a the vacation blues!! The picture of the sky is so mindblowingly beautiful !!
Cheers
Dr Sonia
Beautiful photos tfs!!!
Happy to have you back! Love all of your beautiful photos, love those trees! I was gone too, to Florida to see my new granddaughter. I am sharing a lot of photos too. I think the beach ones are tomorrow.
Pam
scrap-n-sewgranny.blogspot.com
Welcome back Lisa!!! Sorry to hear about your uncle's passing, my heart goes out to you.
Thank you for sharing the gorgeous pics from your vacation. I was worried about you, since you mentioned you were going to go on vacation to the sea coast and I saw all the devastation from the hurricane so I am glad you went the other direction! Seems like you had good time :)
Have a wonderful day my dear!
Hugs
Samra
Paper Talk with Samra
WOW Lisa! These pictures are gorgeous!!!!! These are for sure places I want to visit (I have never been out west) Thanks for sharing and welcome home!!!
I am so sorry to hear of your uncle's passing! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! Hugs my friend!
The scenery is so beautiful.....thank you for sharing your holiday photos! They bring back memories of my trip last year. So sorry to hear of your uncles passing...thinking of you. Have a wonderful week. hugs
OMG, Lisa!!! These pictures are awesome!!! TFS and welcome home !!!!!! Have a wonderful day,
Gerda
My sweetest friend, my heart is with you and your family... I am so sorry for your loss! You were a blessing to him and I'm thankful he was ready to run into the arms of Jesus. Continued prayers coming your way, Lisa. Truly God was with you every moment of your trip, guiding you and blessing you with His beauty. What extraordinary pictures.. how I long to see places like this in person. The Saltan Sea picture is breathtaking and certainly a reminder that His protection is upon you and His light surrounds you. The roadrunner is completely adorable! I want to hug him. :o) Thank you for sharing your trip with us! I'm thankful for the happy memories made and that you continued to grow closer to God while on your adventures.. especially when tribulation appeared. All my love to you, my dearest Lisa! Have a beautiful day, resting in His presence and peace. (And congratulations to the very lucky winner!!!)
Hugs and blessings,
Karen
What fabulous pictures- sorry about the Raven on the sign, and the passing of your husband's Uncle. I love the beautiful sky pic you shared showing you the beauty of God watching over you and all of us...always : ) And, I have never ever seen a roadrunner IRL- that is soooo cool! Welcome home and Congrats to your winner ; )
Your vacation photos are awesome!! Looks like a fun trip sometimes the ones that are the least planned are the best. so sorry about the loss in your family!
Gorgeous pictures, I hope you had a wonderful time on your trip! I am so sorry to hear of your loss! I'm just sneaking in some computer time while I'm also away this week!
Lucky Lucky Annie Rose! Congratulations ♥ Your pictures are just stunning, Lisa! My dad's family lived just 4o minutes from there and we visited as a kid - would be wonderful to go back one day! Thanks for sharing ! Blessings, my friend!
Welcome back my friend! I am again sorry to hear about your Uncle~sending prayers for you during this difficult time. Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful pictures. I haven't travel the west coast in years and wow, after seeing these pictures I would love to make a trip out there. Especially Yosemite! Wow, so beautiful!
Glad you made it home safe:)
Hugs,
Sherrie K
I'm so very sorry to hear about your uncle :( your vacation looked beautiful and amazing, though, even though "not planned". fantastic photos! welcome back!!
Thanks for sharing your amazing vacation photos. It has been years since I visited Death Valley, Yosemite, etc. So sorry your trip ended on a sad note. My condolences to you and you family.
Wow that looks like an awesome vacay trip that you had... love the pretty pics and the weather looks awesome.... Congrats on your winner too!
Wow Lisa! These pictures are fantastic! I to get to that part of the country some day! If you ever do visit the East Coast, please, please get in touch with me. I am on the Chesapeake Bay and only about 35 minutes from Washington, DC.
You have visited a lot of incredible stunning places in your vacation!!! I'm so impressed by them! There the nature is just fabulous!!!
Sorry for your dad's brother...
Welcome back in blogland and congrats to the lucky winner!
Wow, your pics are just beautiful!! How great to take a trip and play it by ear from day to day. You were close to me too?? I live in Southern California. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, so sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss, I will keep you and your family in my prayers. I enjoyed your beautiful pictures, I've never seen a road runner except in the cartoons, great picture. Hugs, Donna
Sounds like a great trip! Beautiful pictures too!
Lynn
First let me say welcome back my friend. What a bummer that your were not able to visit the ocean but it looks like you had a wonderful time and saw some beautiful place. The pictures are fabulous.It is almost like I was there through them. So sorry to hear of your loss. I'm very superstitious about Ravens. Take care and my prayers are with you and your family.
Have a creative day.
Hugs Nana
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Beautiful photos LISA! You really captured some amazing views of our wonderful country! Happy to hear you are home safely! Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Sending cyber hugs :)
Great pictures! I am glad you had a good vacation, but I am sorry you have family issues going on! I hope everything resolves quickly! Sending you prayers and hugs!!
I'm so saddened by your loss...I will keep your family in my prayers. Your pictures are so beautiful. I've never been to any of those places...maybe one day. Congrats to Ann. Hugs, Robin
Amazing trip pics...so sorry for your loss.
Great vacations pics. Welcome back I missed you and I am off tomorrow. We could have hooked up at Yosemite it is about 4 hour drive (ha ha) One of my favorite spots. Have a blessed day my friend
DIANA L.
DL.ART DESIGN TEAM MEMBER
DL.ART
http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com
http://dianamlarson.ctmh.com
My heart goes out to you for the loss of your uncle keep you all lifted in prayer for God's peace and Comfort.
Be blessed Diana
Welcome back dear Lisa! You have been missed!
I love your post and truly enjoyed your beautiful pictures!
Thanks for sharing ♥
Hi Lisa I am so sorry to hear about your uncle such a sad loss for anyone. Lisa you have brought so much joy with these truly awesome pictures of your vacation, they are amazing and has brought back memories of when I first visited USA back in 1980 we spent 4 weeks travelling I did not want to come back to the UK, thank you for sharing such precious memories of your holidays, take care
hugs
lorraine x
Thank you for you kind words on the loss of my Hero, my dad. Condolences to you too Lisa on the loss of your uncle....hugs.
Fabulous and interesting photos of your trip...xx
Gorgeous photos!!! Some of those views are breathtaking so I can only imagine how beautiful they were in person! I am glad you had a great vacation and enjoying visiting all the different National parks and such. Very sorry that you had to come home due to a passing in the family. Very sorry for your loss Lisa. I hope that God will give your family strength to get through this grieving process and to fill your hearts with joy and memories filled with love that you shared with your loved one. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hugs,
Jo
xox
First I want to say, I am very sorry for the lose of your Uncle..I am sure it had to be hard to come home to and my thoughts and prayers are with your family!
Also congrats to the lucky winner of the Fuse..it will be arriving in my mail box soon as I purchased it for my birthday yesterday..lol!
Next I wanted to say what gorgeous pictures you have from your vacation, and I think you all made a wise choice going west. I feel so bad for the folks living in the flooding in the south, I can't even imagine. Glad you had a wonderful time and made it home safely...now you need to get busy and get creative, as even with all the scheduled posts, they seem to pass by so quickly! Have a wonderful day my friend!!
Saw your post in my inbox so made it here. Sorry for your loss Lisa. May he RIP. Thanks for sharing the lovely pics. I haven't been blogging or the like for quite a while now & need to get there soon.
Lisa, I'm so sorry about your Uncle, Gorgeous vacation photos and congrats to the winner.
Hugs, Lori m
Oh Lisa, thank you for sharing your beautiful vacation with us and I'm so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family.
Take your time, all your bloggy friends will be here waiting for you :)
Shelly
WOW what fabulous photos you've shared! I felt like I was riding along with you on this journey! I am SO SORRY to hear of your family loss ... prayers going up for you all to heal. Congrats to the winner of your fabulous give away! HUGS from OHIO! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Lisa! I'm so sorry to hear about your uncle. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Beautiful photographs! Thanks for sharing those fabulous places, I specially love the huge tree.
Congratulations to winner!
Hugs, Mar
That's so sad to hear about your uncle passing. I wish you didn't have such bad news when you were traveling. Please know you are in my prayers as well as your family. Thanks for sharing your pictures with us. Oh my, what fantastic places. That roadrunner is a hoot! Congratulations to Annie. The fuse is a wonderful give away. Glad you're back with us.
Firstly, condolences to you & your family on the loss of your uncle. Always an upsetting way to have to end a trip and hard to make that homeward drive. I'm glad you managed to arrive safely to be with your family. Secondly - really enjoyed seeing those fabulous scenic pictures. You are a wonderful photographer. Some of the places you shared, we've been fortunate enough to visit, so brought back some good memories (Kings Canyon, Yosemite, etc). We've not been to Death Valley or the Arizona park, but oh, how lovely was the view in each place. So glad you got to enjoy some traveling time, good views and thanks for sharing with us. Big congratulations to your winner as well. What a super tool to have in your craft arsenal, and a very generous blog candy prize too! Not to worry about visiting, do what needs must, and we'll all be here, when you have time & get a chance to catch your breath. Big hugs.
First off so sorry for you and your family's loss.
I did have a chuckle at the crow on the sign,…until I read about your Uncle's passing :(
Your scenery photos are beautiful. Love the photo of the roadrunner..beep beep, teehee.
Oh dear. I'm so sorry for this sudden loss of a family member. Please take care my friend. Big hugs!
I love the photo with the huge tree...it must be wonderful to see it in person.
Lisa, thank you for dropping by my blog and leaving all the sweet comments, your photos are stunning as with all your designs. You've brought back memories of my last trip to Yosemite Park, loved it there, gorgeous country.
Hugs, Lori m
Hi Lisa,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss... My love, hugs and prayers go out to you & your family.
The photos are Amazing and I am happy to hear that you had a great time.
Congrats to the winner..
Have a blessed day my friend,
M
Crafting With Creative M
Hi Lisa! My condolences to you and your family for the loss of your uncle.... thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
So glad you got in a little "Lisa" time. The pics are fantastic and beautiful. I love the Roadrunner, how great is that?
Take care!
Dee B
My deepest sympathies to you and yours Lisa for your loss. Your photos are seriously good and thanks so much for sharing! I've travelled to South West USA 3 times and absolutely love that part of the world - I have a little roadrunner ornament in my living room for the NM state bird. Your photos make me want to travel further west as you did - would especially love to visit Death Valley - I'm a sucker for stark, barren landscapes for some reason! The last photo is really lovely for your dear Uncle. Stay well, Nicola x
Great vacation pictures!
Sorry to read about your loss! Prayers for you and your family.
Your photos were a delight to see. Especially since I have never been to any of those places...I can at least imagine myself there...smile...
Looks like you've had a ton of fun! There are some GORGEOUS photos in the bunch!
Sorry to hear about your loss, you and your family will be in my prayers. Love your beautiful photos. I have been to Death Valley numerous times and even rode my bike on Zabriskie Point. Have a great weekend my dear friend.
Hugs,
Cindy Lou
Happy Saturday my friend..I just wanted to pop in and tellyou how nice pics are..looks like it was an awesome trip. Hav a great weekend
Cathyplus5
How amazing to plan a trip on a whim. Those are the best adventures and by the looks of your pictures it was spectacular! Thanks for sharing!
thank you, Lisa, for taking me on your trip via your lovely photos - too funny about the raven. I find the desert quite lovely and exhilarating, even though I live in Florida LOL Nature is just too beautiful in every one of her places - beauty in every little detail if we only will stop and gaze upon it with open eyes. Beautiful sunrises in the desert, especially if one can view them from mountains! Missed you bunches, and am so glad you are back! hugs, de
Lisa I love your wondeful pics of what sounds like a super fun vacation !!! While I truly love your vacation photos I missed you my friend ! I am always so in love with your amazing creations !
Hugs,
Mayra
Loved seeing all of your pictures. The one with the Raven on the Death Valley sign was Awesome and the one with the sky shinning over the Sea was just Gorgeous. Thank you for sharing. You and your family will be in my prayers.
Hi Lisa I just popped back to thank you for visiting my blog and leaving me such lovely comments on my posts, your support is awesome.
hugs
lorraine x
Fabulous pictures, so glad you shared!!
Your pictures are awesome! Hope you had a great time and came back refreshed. :-)
April
What amazing photos, Lisa. I'm on the east coast and we had TONS of rain from Joaquin. I'm so thankful that it wasn't worse in our area. I've never toured out west so I appreciate your photos. Amazing scenery and that crow....yikes, creepy and so cool that you got that photo. Our daughter is an abstract artist and she loves painting trees. I would love to take her on a trip like this. Now..I'm so sorry about your uncle. What a sad reason to have to end your vacation. My thoughts to your family. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
Wonderful photos, it looks like a fun trip. So sorry for your loss. best wishes to you and your family.
thanks for sharing your gorgeous pics! Looks like a wonderful trip!
I'm so sorry for your loss! May God give you strength as you all are dealing with this!
Fabulous photo's - so reminds me of the Road trip we took last year. TFS
So sorry to hear of your family loss - thinking of you at this sad time. Hugs, Karon.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your uncle. What terrible news to get while you were on vacation. I'm praying that your family issues are resolving and that you are finding strength in the Lord to help you through.
Your vacation photos are amazing--you are quite the photographer! Love Sequoia National Park...I have fond memories of visiting this and many of the others you visited on a cross country camping trip with my Dad, sisters and a cousin from Belgium. I hope you had a wonderful trip! Terrible to have a tire blowout, but thankful you are safe.
Thank you for all your support on my blog...I know you are busy trying to catch up and everything, so it means even more to me! Hugs!
Thank you so much for sharing your vacation pics. I live in California and Yosemite and Kings Canyon are 2 of our favorites! I've never been to the other places you visited. Your pics are amazing. I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I will say a prayer for you and your family. Take card my friend <3 <3 <3
Thanks for sharing your pics. It looks like you had a great time.
I enjoyed looking at your photos! You had an amazing vacation! So jealous! I haven't gone anywhere in years! I love the roadrunner! I have never seen one before!
Congrats to the lucky duck who won your Fuse Tool! Thank you for your generous giveaway!
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