I enjoyed some time with my friends driving up to Idaho Springs. We had hoped to find a lot of Fall color, but the trees haven’t changed quite yet (at least not where we went). I did get some nice pictures though and thought I’d share some of what I took. While I took close to 200 images, I will only share a few along with my thoughts.

This is the water wheel that is in Idaho Springs. It’s picturesque, but not working. I think it would make a nice painting. Might have to spend some time doing that someday!

I really like the contrast of the tiny little Aspen with it’s bright yellow leaves against the taller Evergreen. It makes me think of friendship, family, relationships that build and edify each other. The Evergreen protects the Aspen. The Aspen brings beauty to the relationship. Together they grow in a precarious place on the side of a mountain. Reaching up to the sky while sending their roots down deep to drink from the river below.

I really like this tree. It is so amazing to me how it survives–even thrives–in this spot. What a strange place to grow. What a difficult place to grow. It made me think of how sometimes our lives are not ideal. We are asked to grow and thrive in the most unusual and even difficult circumstances. Yet we are not asked to do that which is not possible. We can grow and be beautiful where ever we are, under whatever circumstances we are in. And as we do so we can find joy! Joy in helping others see joy. I so appreciate that this tree is where it is and that I was able to see it and enjoy it’s beauty!

These two pictures go together. Sometimes we have obstacles in front of us and it becomes difficult to see with clarity the beauty of the situation, or the beauty of life. We become focused on the trial/the obstacle/the barrier. These two pictures were taken from the same place. For the second one, I got very close to the barrier and looked through to see the view below. Sometimes in life, we have to get right up close to our trials and face them. On the other side there is beauty to be found!

This little leaf held my attention for like 15 minutes! I was so intrigued by it. I sat by the river, watching leaves fall into the river and get swept away. Other leaves would fall on a rock and stay there for a bit. But when the water splashed on it too much, it too would be swept away into the moving water and be gone. But this little leaf was stuck to the rock. It didn’t budge. I don’t know if you can tell, but the water is actually flowing OVER the leaf, not around it. It was constantly under the water and yet it did not move. And in my mind I thought, “Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.” (that’s from Mosiah 5:15)

Trials come. And sometimes I feel like I am surrounded by the raging waters and even being covered over. But this little leaf helped me to remember that if we will cling to our Rock of Salvation then we will not be overcome by the “water”!

I am so grateful for nature and for lessons that can be learned by observing the world around us!

This is just an image that I like a lot! Contrast. Refreshing. Makes me want to jump in and splash around!!! Yet at the same time, it makes me feel uneasy. I truly have a love/hate relationship with water! It draws me in and at the same time repels me away.

Thanks for looking! Please share any insights you may have!