Tuesday, April 26, 2011

"V" is for Vacation...

A to Z Challenge...
ABC's of My Life~

For our family, vacation is a time to re-group, re-wind and de-stress. We’ve taken vacations to Put-in-Bay, Geneva on the Lake, Maumee Bay and Shawnee State Park. We’ve made our get-away to Washington DC, Pawley’s Island and the mountains of North Carolina. However, our preferred primo spot to travel for a retreat and to depart from our daily lives is Emerald Isle, North Carolina.



It is there-- summer, fall, perhaps spring or even winter that we truly draw upon our resources and each other to rest, relax and rejuvenate our souls.

From sunrise...

...to sunset...

 
we play...

we build...

we watch...

we ponder the questions as to how we'll leave our mark on the world...


We marvel at the workings of God and....

 stand in awe of nature's splendor....

We look past our frailities...


We congregate with others for new adventures and experiences...

yet stand alone to test our inner makings...

we walk side by side solidifying our family unit...

                                                          as the world comes crashing upon us from time to time...




we explore paths less traveled...

We take our thoughts to new heights and dream big...


Finally, as our holiday closes, we take with us

a sense of wonder and renewal within....


46 comments:

From the Kitchen said...

I can see why this place is so special for all of you. Lovely photos and words.

Best,
Bonnie

Remington said...

What a beautiful place for a vacation!

Bish Denham said...

Looks like you had the whole beach to yourselves! Lovely.

TexWisGirl said...

wonderful post. felt myself drifting and dreaming along...

Donnie said...

What a beautiful place to recharge. Lovely photos.

Bossy Betty said...

Thank you for this lovely photo essay! I can see why this is a special place for you!

Oklahoma Granny said...

It looks like the perfect place to rest and reflect.

Inger said...

What a lovely post. I feel rested, restored, and peaceful.--Inger

Berts Blog said...

Oh Boy, water water and more water. I could love being there. maybe someday I can talk Vickie into a trip there.

Thanks for introducing us to such a lovely spot in photos.

Bert

Out on the prairie said...

I just got a watercolor of a old boardwalk going to a beach and thought of you enjoying your beaches.

Linda Reeder said...

Makes me want to go to the beach right now, but I need that sun and warmth to go with it!

Unknown said...

Ohhhhhhhh, mannnnnnnnn, what a terrific post. Just PERFECT!

I am stuck in the middle of the nation and can't get to the ocean too often.
When I used to live in California I was at the beach almost 2 times a week (winter and summer). I miss it...............kt

John Teal said...

A great description of a perfect vacation !

RJRdaydreamer

Arkansas Patti said...

Beautifully illustrated post. I can see why that is a favorite spot. What is not to love?

Old Kitty said...

Awwww what a brilliant family vacation!! Beautiful and thought-provoking and very profound!! Lovely! Thank you for sharing these amazing pics! Take care
x

Pellie / Penny said...

Your pictures are wonderful and your post was marvelous.

Thank you so much for sharing your vacation with all of us. It certainly was so very special.

Hugs,
Penny

Julie Harward said...

Beautiful...that looks like a vacation that I would love to do! ;D

Sylvia K said...

What a gorgeous place, Tracy! The perfect vacation/renewal place! Beaches like this have been my "spirit renewal" place for many years and one of the reasons I'm so happy to live in the northwest where I do have access to them. Your photos are superb as are your beautiful words! Have a wonderful week!

Sylvia

Nancy said...

Taking a few steps away from our normal daily experiences to view Nature's gifts is a sure way to put things in perspective. Beautiful post, Tracy. :)

Wanda's Wings said...

Beautiful and relaxing. Almost felt I was there. Wonderful post!

June said...

Love, love, love this post Tracy! It looks like your family had the time of their lives on this beautiful vacation. I enjoyed seeing how much fun you had and how much beauty there was.
I hope your Easter was awesome!
sending hugs...

Rita said...

Beautiful pictures and beautiful thoughts. Vacation around the corner Tracy. I have a son and daughter in law who are teachers;I used to be a teacher. I have a lot of respect for everything your do.
Sending good vibes your way.
Rita

Great Grandma Lin said...

lovely blog, thanks for leaving a comment on mine...

Jules said...

I wish I was on that beach right now wondering, pondering, exploring and just Being!

Thanks for the daydream :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Ginny Hartzler said...

These are wonderful vacation pictures!! I especially love the ones with the sun, and the patterns in the sand. You captured so many aspects of it, I love the sand castles! So glad you had such a good time!

Connie said...

Wow, so gorgeous! Wonderful photos, Tracy. Thanks for sharing them. Almost felt like I was there too. :)

mamahasspoken said...

What a great time you have had on vacations! I enjoy them too but it's the coming back that I can do without....

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post. Thank you for having me. Tammy

LTM said...

gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous pix! ahhh... my favorite place on Earth. Thanks, girl~ :o) <3

MunirGhiasuddin said...

Beautiful pictures and inspiring captions. Thanks for sharing:)

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

Oh Tracy ~ such beautiful photos ~ I can almost feel the sand between my toes! Love it!
xo Catherine

(honestly... I'm such a horrid speller... had to delete my comment and try again!!!)

;)

Susan Fields said...

Beautiful post! And thank you for sharing your lovely photos!

Betty Manousos said...

what a magical place!
loved looking at those beautiful photos!

great captures!!

have a lovely day!

bj said...

Looks like a marvelous vacation spot.
If gas prices don't start going down, we won't be going on a vacation this year. BUMMER...

Sandra said...

I think you may have just given me an idea for our summer vacation!
Pics were beautiful!
Captions were brilliant!

J.L. Campbell said...

Lovely pictures, you can't help feeling refreshed after spending time in such a relaxing place.

kenju said...

I need a beach trip so badly!! Your photos are wonderful!

LV said...

A heaven on earth vacation spot. Looks like everyone was having a great time.

Lorena G. Sims said...

What a beautiful place for vacation. Love the pictures!

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I can see a fun beautiful vacation in the pics

Julie Musil said...

Wow, beautifully written with beautiful photos. Those memories will last a lifetime.

Corine Moore said...

Oh gosh... you are a beautiful writer! I enjoyed reading this SO MUCH! Thanks for sharing. And btw... I'm so glad you and your family had such a wonderful vacation. :) My family need to do that soon, too!

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