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.

  • Saguaro cactus
    Cave Creek near Phoenix
  • Snow on Red Rock of Sedona
    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.

  • Slot Canyon Hike
    Almost Antelope Canyon
  • FLoating Dock Reflections
    “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.

  • Lonely Fisherman
    A lone fisherman casts his net on Hilo Bay
  • Purple hibiscus flower
    “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
    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!

Boats in Tahoe Marina

Of course, John Muir inspires countless generations to enjoy the great outdoors!

Wander a whole Summer
Everyone needs beauty...and places to play in...

“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.

Great Outdoors American Flag
Flying the flag at the Tioga Pass entrance of Yosemite

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?

© 2019 Copyright-All rights reserved-secondwindleisure.com

Published by Terri Webster Schrandt

Mostly retired, I am a part-time reporter/photographer for a local monthly newspaper. I'm former university adjunct faculty, self-published author, and retired recreation and parks practitioner living in Eastern Washington State near the Idaho border. Second Wind Leisure Perspectives is my blog about living a leisure lifestyle that includes fitness, photography, and fun.

82 thoughts on “Sunday Stills: The Great #Outdoors”

  1. These are fantastic shots, Terri, of a (leisure) life well-lived. You are a pro at capturing the beauty of a place and your enthusiasm about the outdoors is inspiring. And, based on the amounts of likes and comments you are gathering, I’m not the only one to think so!

    My favorite of your collection of quotes is “There is no wi-fi in the forest, but you will find a better connection.” So true!!

    Have a fantastic summer and I hope your foot is almost back to normal, so you can get out and about again, enjoying what you enjoy most!

    Happy weekend!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. You are so sweet to say so! Missing being outside. By the way, I planted 4 plumerias from cuttings I bought in Hilo (shipped). They are loving our Sacramento sun and heat and several leaves have sprouted on all four! I appreciated your encouragement when you shared your experience with yours 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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  28. Wow Terri what glorious photos and matching quotes to go with them. I love hearing about how adventurous you and your husband are and seeing where you go! I am in awe of your outdoorsy spirit and think you should come visit us here in Australia!! I’m sharing a great walk we did in central Australia a few years ago and I loved looking back at the photos and scenery of our great Aussie outdoors. https://debs-world.com/2019/06/30/for-the-love-of-the-great-outdoors/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much! Australia is on the top of my list of places I want to visit for sure, Debbie! I got to spend a little time outdoors at my dad’s place in the Sierras on Sunday. Didn’t get outside much because of the uneven ground and having to use crutches, but it felt good to have a change of scenery! Thanks for sharing that great post of your walkabout 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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  32. Oh, Terri, this is one of your most extraordinary posts, in my opinion. Each of these photographs is tremendous. But my very favorite is the snowy Sedona photo. Magical. Thank you for sharing our wonderful United States through your well trained eye!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Leslie, what a sweet compliment! While Sedona is breathtaking on a sunny day, the white snow against the red rocks is truly amazing to see! So much more of our great contry to see yet! Thank you!

      Like

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    1. Isn’t that the best, Frank? We’re heading to Foresthill for the day to visit my dad, so low tech day for me (yes I’m on my phone as I comment but just for a few minutes). Sunflowers are growing like weeds too!

      Like

    1. Thanks, Graham! I signed up for this and knew that it would not be a walk in the park (pun intended). But we are driving up to the Sierra foothills today to visit my dad and the rest of my family who are visiting from San Diego. I can use the crutches OK in their small house and they have some great views from their deck. Hoping for fresh photo ops and looking forward to a change of scenery!

      Liked by 1 person

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  45. I love the outdoors, too, but especially the ocean! It’s so nice to get away from the city. We’ve been doing it more and more, our last few months in NYC. Have a wonderful July 4th, Terri!

    Liked by 1 person

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