Thursday, March 13, 2008

Oblivious to my own back yard

Why is it that we often can't see the beauty of our own back yard until someone else comes along and explores it with a fresh set of eyes? When I looked at these photos this afternoon

(all of them taken 30-60 min from my front door) I went very quiet (a rarity for me), mostly because they show me what I've been missing over the last year while I've been hunched at my desk, writing, or else juggling my family's needs.










My author guest, Patricia Wood, leaves tomorrow and given the sheer volume of photos she took (I'm talking hundreds here) I think I can safely say she enjoyed her visit stumping through Kananaskis country and the Rockies almost as much as I did.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just found out I get to visit the mountains this summer!

Trees, and bumps on the horizon! I had no idea how much I'd miss them.

You're coming back!! I'll see you on April 24!

Melissa Amateis said...

It is so easy to ignore the landscape we see every day - morning commutes, taking children to and from school, etc. - but I'm going to be more vigilant from now on and really "look" at the place where I live. :-)

Victoria said...

What gorgeous photos!
I would love to tromp around through them mountains.

Katie Alender said...

When I first moved to California from Florida, I was amazed to wake up every day surrounded by mountains. Now I live on one (more of a hill, really) and I hardly even notice them.

I am still in awe of our urban wildlife, though. I'll never take the bobcats, coyotes, hawks and owls for granted.

Anonymous said...

Nice pics!
Consider it time well spent on the 'creative' side of things.

Ramona said...

I spent one week in Banff in the early 80s and loved it. You lucky girl to live so close to such inspirational landscape.

Adam said...

Good to see you taking
a mini-break!

Anonymous said...

I live outside of Chicago and just noticed you will be coming here for a reading. I can't wait to meet you and have you sign my books. Watch for me!!!!

Talia

Sustenance Scout said...

Holly, I know exactly what you mean! I spoke with another local writer today who said she just up and drove into the mountains the other day because the weather was so beautiful. I've got three kiddos so that's my excuse but really, why not take a couple hours off and do that now and then, with or (gasp!) even when the kids are in school? Love the photos! K.

Patry Francis said...

One of my dreams is to make it to the Canadian Rockies before I die. It looks like the perfect home for a writer!

Larramie said...

Holly, promise to look out your windows more often this year. That beauty cannot be taken fo granted.

ORION said...

Holly is the BEST hostess. She made coffee for me each morning and fed me really well.
I highly recommend her establishment...

Travis Erwin said...

The pictures are beautiful, but I think it is really cool that the two of you are hanging out together.

Anonymous said...

Great photos.
I could sit on that bench
for hours simply thinking
deep thoughts!

Nadine said...

Oooh! Two authors visting up a storm? I woulda loved to have listened in on your creative musings!!!!

Sandra Cormier said...

Those pictures are absolutely beautiful, Holly. I had the good fortune to visit the Okanagan Valley three years ago, and it was my first real mountain experience. Here in Ontario, the biggest bump I see is the Oak Ridges Moraine, a faint blue trace on the horizon. It is barely a few hundred feet high.

We have some pretty gorges, and lovely rolling farmland here, but it takes a photographer's eye to appreciate it.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I seriously cannot wait to see this beautiful part of my country for the second time in my life!