"The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep." --Robert Frost
This spring we have been canoeing in and hiking around the Iowa River and Pine Lake. Photos here are assorted shots from the lake on March 28th and the river on April 16th & May 9th. You'll notice some variety in the stages of spring.
"There is a spot to me more dear than native vale or mountain, a spot for which affection's tear springs grateful from its fountain. 'Tis not where kindred souls abound, though that is almost heaven; but where I first my Savior found, and felt my sins forgiven!" --William Hunter
The bridge on the lower right is no longer in use. We might never have known it was there,had we not travelled down the river. |
“Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”--Psalm 90:1-2
"There is no school equal to a decent home and no teacher equal to a virtuous parent." --Ghandi
"I don't think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains." --Anne Frank
"Think about all the beauty still left around you and be happy." --Anne Frank
"I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions,
and not upon our circumstances." --Martha Washington
and not upon our circumstances." --Martha Washington
"For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious
than if it were made of gold or silver." --Martin Luther
The stretch of land beside the river on the upper left used to be a dump or junkyard. There are still old cars and other large items. On the right is the Hardin City Bridge. It was moved from the river and sits beside a gravel road. Hardin City is a ghost town that even the ghosts have forsaken. The bridge and the Hardin City woods remain; that's about it.
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." --Helen Keller
Hello Bethany,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures and collages.
The first and the fourth photo collage I find really great.
I wish you a nice new week.
Best regards, Irma
Have a great week also! Thanks!
DeleteBethany, these pictures are absolutely beautiful! It looks like you all are having a lovely time. My favorite one is probably of the woodpecker. :)
ReplyDeleteDani from A Vapor in the Wind
Thanks Dani! The red-bellied woodpeckers and flickers seem to be most common woodpeckers I see around here. I saw a red-headed one the other day, but it flew away before I had a chance to photograph it; I'll have to be quicker on the draw next time!
DeleteHi Bethany! Lots of lovely things to see and admire! You captured the geese taking off so well!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the quotes and Scriptures you included.
Have a blessed week!
Christine
You too, Christine! And thanks! The continuous shot setting made it so much easier to get 1 or 2 decent photos!
DeleteHello Bethany, Looks like fun times and wonderful images from your outings. I love the geese and the woodpecker and the cute puppy dog.
ReplyDeleteThanks Eileen!
Deleteooooo that frost quote is awesome!!! looks like my kinda' trip/place!! really amazing images, i really like the one of you!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie!
Deletecute photo of you! love the happy pup and sweet geese.
ReplyDeleteThe geese were fun to watch. On our first trip we saw them at the lake--they were much more cooperative than the ducks when it came to having their photos taken. Our second trip we saw various geese nesting along the Iowa River, and finally, on the third date, we saw a goose with her goslings.
DeleteNice spring at your palce and woodpacker is the same as in Poland..
ReplyDeleteSpring certainly is a beautiful time. It's nice to see new life.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! Was it hard for you to take photos of the geese and the woodpeckers? It's not easy for me to take bird photography; when I'm out in a public place and I see a bird, I try to sneak up close to it without startling it, but to everyone else I just well, look awkward. It's nice to go exploring and canoeing, too, with the season's weather faring nicely! ^.^
ReplyDeletexoxo Morning
I was out by and on the river and in the park that surrounds the lake, and there weren't (m)any people around, other than my family. But, I know what you mean! I took a lot of photos...so a few out of the many I took turned out.
DeleteI always enjoy your posts! We live near Pine Lake too! Pine Lake in Manchester, NJ! We live on the fringes of the great Jersey Pine Barrens. The Ridgeway Branch, that flows out of Pine Lake runs right through our back yard!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! God bless!
How neat! Our Pine Lake runs into the Iowa River; it's fed by springs in the lake and a little creek that runs through a neighbor's land. Blessings to you!
DeleteA beautiful collection of photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle!
DeleteLovely pictures Bethany and I really did enjoy all the quotes too, especially that one by Martha Washington.
ReplyDeleteThat's one of my all-time favorites. I keep it on my FB profile's quote list. :)
DeleteThat Martha Washington quote I have not seen before. Love it; so true! Enjoyed your images of the hike, and especially the sweet photo of you looking at your camera. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Gail!
DeleteBeautiful shots as always, Bethany! I enjoyed seeing the picture of your parents and faithful canine. I also like the variety of the scenery, and how it's an adventure with different parts to it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paige!
DeleteGreat photos and I love all the outdoor things your family does. How fun to see a picture of your parents, too! They are a great looking couple! And I LOVE that picture of you with your camera!!!! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad to know them. ;) Actually they had just celebrated their 22nd anniversary around the time I took that photo. Thanks Diana!
DeleteStunning captures!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cryslyn!
DeleteYou must have had blast, Bethany. I like the photos from the trip.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of canoe did you use? Was it made of wood of man-made fibers?
Have a Beautiful Day!!
Peace :)
I don't know exactly what kind of canoe it is, but I would guess it's fiberglass.
DeleteHave a great day as well!
Nice group of pictures, ghost towns are so photogenic, what an interesting place this must be to explore!
ReplyDeleteIt is a fun area for hiking. But the ghost town is more or less invisible ;). There is, of course, plenty of surviving nature around to admire though.
DeleteLovely post and my favouite is the Woodpecker
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI love your photos and the quotes! I have a cousin who live in Iowa and says it's the prettiest place. Your photos second that!
ReplyDeleteIf you ever head out this way to visit your cousin, I'd love to meet you!
DeleteA great post Bethany. Love the Woodpecker and the goslings are very cute.
ReplyDeleteThey were fun to watch.
DeleteGreat post, Bethany, with beautiful photos and wonderful quotes. And I really like that image of you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Martha! I have to thank my sister for that one.
DeleteThis moved me...in so many ways! God bless you, Bethany! I felt an underlying message in your quotes today, and these lovely images...that we have to find beauty and happiness in spite of all that lies ahead. Your canoe trips yielded some real beauty and peacefulness! I am happy to see a photo of your parents...they did well with you! :-) And, I appreciate the deep well of your faith...greater than many twice your age!
ReplyDeleteGlad bless you too! Thank you for your kind words.
DeleteLovely photos all of them! Looks like you've had a great time outdoors this spring.
ReplyDeleteAfter a long winter, spring is very welcome! :)
DeleteSuch wonderful photos. Looks like a very nice place to spend time.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is a pleasant place.
DeleteBeth, all these photos are extremely beautiful. I am glad you enjoying this spring. Seems like you had great of fun. God bless you all, Liuba x
ReplyDeleteGod bless you too, Liuba!
DeleteWhat lovely photos, Bethany! I felt like I was right there with you enjoying God's beautiful creation. Love the photo of you with your camera :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. Enjoy your day!
Thank you for hosting!
DeleteBeautiful Bethany! I love the photos and the quotes to go along with it. I haven't been canoeing in ages and used to go a lot more often when I was younger. I need to plan a canoe trip this summer. Thanks for such lovely inspiration. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThere is something peaceful about floating down the river. All the best in your summer plans!
DeleteGreat set of pictures - and I love that last shot of the woodpecker!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Thanks Stewart!
DeleteLoved the post! The photos are awesome and the quotes are very true, I love the photo of you and your camera I must say, you look very happy. The scenery of the place is so beautiful glad you all had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura! It would have been hard not to be happy hiking while surrounded by God's wonderful creation and the people I love.
DeleteLooks like a great hike. You saw some really neat things. I liked the geese on the water and the woodpecker and seeing the old bridge. Your parents and the dog was a really nice shot.
ReplyDeleteHi Bethany, If you will go over to Google Maps and put in "Pine Lake, Iowa" you will see how they describe it ... "Lush area for camping and fishing." I found this interesting because my default mental picture of Iowa is of vast fields of corn and other field crops. Now, if you will zoom out, you will see that spot where your pictures were taken is right in the part of North America with so many lakes that must be attractive to birds migrating in the spring and fall. How do you think birding would be around there in September and early October? And, as always, you do a great job of putting the photos together with quotations and/or scripture. Nice work Bethany!
ReplyDeleteWell, for the most part your default mental picture is correct. A very large part of Iowa is covered with corn and soybeans, but not all. It is pretty neat to watch the birds when they flock/swarm in the fall. Thank you John!
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