The last day of June 2019 is a wonderful way to spend in the outdoors, our theme for this week’s Sunday Stills photo challenge. June was National Great Outdoors Month, which seems appropriate as many folks begin their summer vacations.
To help inspire you, today I am sharing some of my favorite photos of this year’s visits to the great outdoors along with some motivational quotes.
You know that I am an outdoors person, therefore most of my leisure time is spent outdoors appreciating nature. Since hubby is an adventurous spirit, anything outdoors is our first choice for time together.
Last December found us in the Arizona desert enjoying a warm hike on one day and snowy New Year’s the next.
Cave Creek near Phoenix 
Snow on Red Rock of Sedona
“Wilderness is not a luxury but necessity of the human spirit.”
Edward Abbey
In January we completed our road trip in Las Vegas in awe of the red rocks of Valley of Fire State Park. Once home we towed the trailer back to its storage location in the Sacramento Delta (in Antioch) and enjoyed the serenity of the valley fog.
Almost Antelope Canyon 
“Floating” dock on Sacramento River
During my spring break from teaching in mid-March, we spent as much time as possible outdoors in Hilo, Hawaii.
A lone fisherman casts his net on Hilo Bay 
“Blue Bayou” Hibiscus hybrid
April is the start of windsurfing season. We moved the trailer again for the summer and enjoyed some water sports.
Delta SUP sesson 
Sherman Island Marina
“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and winds long to play with your hair.”
Kahlil Gibran
In May, I spent a lovely weekend in South Lake Tahoe at our ladies retreat taking moments to contemplate the still waters of Zephyr Cove.
There is no wi-fi in the forest, but you will find a better connection.
Before the retreat, I arrived early to take a bike ride around the Tahoe Keys Marina, a residential boating area amidst the pine trees. How amazing to walk outside your back door and hop on your watercraft! Yes, please!
Of course, John Muir inspires countless generations to enjoy the great outdoors!
“There is nothing so American as our national parks. The scenery and wildlife are native. The fundamental idea behind the parks is native. It is, in brief, that the country belongs to the people, that it is in this process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us. The parks stand as the outward symbol of this great human principle.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
I love this quote. The U.S. will celebrate Independence Day on July 4th this week. In the image below, the American flag stands tall and proud amidst the sacred lodgepole pines of Yosemite National Park.
Did you notice that this image is square? Beginning July 1, join Becky B for Blue July squares. Until then, Happy Independence Day!
Sunday Stills July themes can be found here!
Sunday Stills Reminders
- Please create a new post for the theme.
- Title your post a little differently than mine.
- Don’t forget to create a pingback to this post so that other participants can read your post. I also recommend adding your post’s URL into the comments.
- Entries for this theme can be shared all week. Use hashtag #SundayStills for sharing on social media.
As the first half of the year comes to an end, did you experience the great outdoors?
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