Divine Detours

On our two day girl getaway from the cabin we had decided to go see the Hanging Lake at Glenwood Springs. We had done some research and were looking forward to seeing the area. As we approached the exit for Hanging Lake after the glorious drive on the beautiful highway through the canyon, we were greeted with a sign that said the road to Hanging Lake was being repaired and would not be done until August!

Alas, we have learned to go with loose plans because we know there is always a divine detour by default that will be awesome if somehow our planned route gets derailed. Leaning in and listening has gotten us on some amazing roads in the past. We would not be disappointed! We continued on in a drive of faith to see what God had for us. We would trust in God to direct our path.

Turning around, we headed back out of the canyon and found ourselves in the cute mountain town of Basalt. We meandered through the town and found ourselves on a road going east through beautiful red cliff outcrops. We spied a Garage Sale sign in the midst of this beautiful drive and decided to stop. The woman having the garage sale was delightful and encouraged me to go up the steep red hills behind her house to see if I could identify and photograph the flowers. The mixture of cowboy mallow and penstemon orange and purple against the rusty red-orange soil was breathtaking.

The homeowner told us the area was named 'Seven Castles' because of the seven huge red outcrops along the Fryingpan River. It was truly a beautiful drive that we probably would not have discovered or driven on purpose. By default we found ourselves on a divine detour that was to lead us further down the road to some more charming and stunning vistas.
...to be continued...

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The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Ps. 138:8

Come to the Water

We saw these beautiful Hays Creek Falls along HWY 133 north of Marble. A father and his two children were at the base. The noise was deafening. The two daughters told us to go back because it was scary and the footing was slippery. Yet, the vista drew me across the road to the base of the falls. The waters poured out and swirled around tree limbs and rocks as they made their way down the red canyon walls.

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Have you heard the voice? Have you gotten the invitation? Jesus, himself, invites you to the water of life. He tells us in John 7 to come to him and drink. Has He sent out the invitations to those who are prettiest, done the most work, done the least harm, have better jobs, or just those hopeless drunks on a street corners and the critically ill? Does He want those most talented, or those that have the least disease? Does he want men, the best-dressed, and the smartest first?

I am to understand that He has sent the invitation freely to all His children, without respect of persons. It is not our goodness, or sex, or anything of ourselves that gets us to come to the water. It is responding to the love that calls us to our fountain of every blessing. We need but drink to have that thirst removed from our souls. The water runs with grace and mercy; it gives us peace that passes all understanding.

So, come to the water! You have the invitation to come as you are. Come walk in the stream of everlasting life.

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But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Jn. 4:14

Just Dandelions #2

I know each time I head for a getaway in Colorado I am going out in joy, and knowing that I will be led back in peace. I have great expectancy of the hills and mountains bursting forth into song. The quaking of aspen leaves, whether they be tender lime of spring or bright yellow and orange of fall, touches a deep resonance of harmony within me. I find in myself a wellspring of life that comes forth in giggles, smiles, and even an alternate personality named 'Cornelia' on this last trip.

The little bunch of dandelions was taken on the walk along the fence leading down to Buffalo Park Rd. The red clay road and the geese in the field were taken along the Fryingpan River drive east of Basalt. The fields of dandelions in front of mountains were taken around Almont, between Crested Butte and Gunnison.

I have come back with a new appreciation for the beauty of the dandelion. Add a mountain range, a red clay road, some beautiful geese, and a forefront of just dandelions becomes a feast for the eyes. Add painted white clouds on a brilliant blue sky and you have a masterpiece! I hold these vistas in my heart, visit them in my dreams, and thank God for the opportunity to be surrounded by such abundant beauty.

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For you shall go out in joy,
and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you
shall burst into song.
Isaiah 55:12

Just Dandelions

One of the places I have longed to see in Colorado is the Maroon Bells area outside of Aspen. It is controlled by only being able to see it through a scheduled bus ride. There is a fee to enter the area. However, my friend and I neared Maroon River Road and noticed there was nothing preventing us to turn in. As we traveled up the road we noticed a sign that said private cars were allowed to continue because the bus service did not start until June 19th. Then, as we neared the toll booth, the ranger waved us on, saying "It is free today because of being National Trail Day!" We were on our own, at our own pace, with no charge to explore the Maroon Bells!

We saw beautiful pristine water in Maroon Lake, hummingbirds and butterflies galore, beautiful peaks and rushing waterfalls of the Maroon Bells, and a funny marmot. As we breathed in the tremendous scenery, we overheard a gentleman state to someone in his party that "It is a shame the only things blooming are just dandelions". We were amazed, in the midst of such beauty, that such lack could be spoken. BTW, I had photographed several flowers in the Maroon Bells, and they weren't all dandelions or yellow flowers. It reminds me of how often we concentrate on what we DON'T have in the midst of great abundance.

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Spring is God thinking in gold, laughing in blue, and speaking in green
Frank P. Johnson

I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Jn. 10:10

Going Home

I have that feeling of "going home" both ways on the semi-annual trips to Evergreen. I am leaving Texas and my loved ones to go to the cool mountains and less traveled roads. Both places hold the title of 'home' to me. Until I go to my room up above in the place prepared for me, I will be grateful that I can call these two earthly places 'home'.

On the drive home from DIA I become watchful for wildlife and the first signs of mountain peaks. The most anticipated view is driving the curves around the lake that take us up to the cabin off of Buffalo Creek Rd. I know I am about to see Mt. Evans in all of its glory from the top of the hill. I will see THE FENCE that I walk at least twice a day while I am there. I will certainly see fox, deer, elk, cyclists, and hikers. I will see wildflowers and aspen in their seasonal glory. I will see and hear tons of birds: hummers, woodpeckers, crows, bluebirds, jays, beebs, barn swallows.

The thing about seeing the fence as we approach the drive is that it shouts 'home'. It brings anticipation of rest, lovely shared food, giggles, and sweet crazy adventures. I treasure this beautiful second home where I have much simple treasure and happiness. It revives and nourishes my spirit. I am very blessed to be 'at home' when I am away from 'home'. It is amazing as well to return to Dallas to be met by the man of my dreams. My treasures as I arrive at each home are sweet, indeed!

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Our sweetest experiences of affection are meant to point us to that realm which is the real and endless home of the heart.
Henry Ward Beecher.