I would love to be your guide in this ride called life, if you let me.
Just yesterday we got a new tire cover with JRR Tolkien’s quote: Not all who wander are lost, printed on the back. True that. We love getting off the beaten path not knowing what will surprise us, or challenge us. Initially, it was for him and his sense of if I can I will.
For me, it has become a journal of our adventures, through my lens. As time goes on, I have grasped the lost part as a lesson. You see, there seems to be a message that comes from our travels, our wanders, our lost, and it is often the photos that define them.
6 Things We Have Learned From Getting Lost:
Inspiration: When something grabs onto you, holds you, and carries you to passion, that is inspiration. Sometimes you just have to let that road be your guide. And…
It sure feels good to be lost in the right direction.

Courage: This was hard, and rumors about many hiking only half way up Cathedral Rock stopped me, but I did not quit. I never quit, and the views at the top…worth every step.
Trust me, you can Surprise Yourself too.
Embrace uncertainty. Some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won’t have a title until much later. -Goff

Patience: I will always remember this day. We were hiking Cascade Canyon Trail in the Tetons when we saw the mama moose.
We waited. And waited. And waited…
Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience. –Emerson

Humility: Cathedral Valley reminds us of how vast and beautiful this world is. You DO see the Jeep for perspective, yes?
Humility is the proper estimate of oneself. – Spurgeon

Spirituality We climbed up the side of the mountain to reach to top of Cathedral Valley, Utah. Breathtaking is an understatement.
What is it that captures our attention? What feeds that deep indescribable need of our souls to experience the richness of the world He made? And then…leaning over us, He whispers. Let’s go do this together. – Goff

Ourselves: No…not all who wander are lost. Because…
Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere. And sometimes in the middle of nowhere you find yourself. – Westfall

Wind Kisses, Donna
Inspired by: RDP/Guide
Exquisite commentary and photos. I am so glad to have read this. Thank you for posting!
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Thank you. It’s always perspective.
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Ever so good Donna. Yes all who seem lost are not lost just misplaced for a moment. We often go down roads just to see where they end up and often find wonderful spots. Thanks for joining in 🙂 🙂
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Thank you. I didn’t want to post today… just engage, but I couldn’t let this go. Thank you for the inspiration.
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👍🤗
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Wonderful thoughts and photography. The Spirituality pic was my favorite! Well done, Donna.
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Thank you Frank. I love that too. I remember just standing there. Sometimes there are no words. Two hours later we were at the base of that “cathedral”.
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I learnt the most important aspect in our life today.
Thank you so much for this.
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Thank you for getting it.
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What a great post Donna and all your thoughts are spot on in my opinion. Courage is probably the hardest pone for me at times but it’s always worth it when you get there. Your photos are fabulous!
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Thank you… ya courage. Something we all face like it or not. I think when we put ourselves in positions, like in hiking, It prepares us for when we have true life challenges.
Thank you for “getting it”.
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I’ve seen those tire covers before (and bumper stickers with that saying) and it’s so true. Being lost is often the way to finding something new, something you didn’t expect, something you never anticipated. In a much smaller way, when I can’t find something, I’ve come to think that often God’s leading me to find something else during the search for the initial object. Not always, but often enough. 🙂 I always enjoy reading your thoughts and seeing your photos. You often hit just what I feel when I’m in Wyoming or such a place, even though right now our travel will probably focus on short trips to California. 🙂 But then there’s Joshua Tree… Anyway well done, you!
janet
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Thank you so much Janet. I’ve had way too many things that have happened that had to be nudge too. I’m always glad you take time to read. I appreciate your thoughts as well.
Short trips to CA are a gift right now. Plus anytime to breathe some ocean air is a plus. Thank you again.
PS. A drive to Dobbins Point on south mountain is worth it. It’s a quick turn around with great views of the city. There is an old mining camp before you enter the park, And It’s not far from mystery castle if open.
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Someone else told me about Dobbins Point. Hopefully we can get there soon…or somewhere. 🙂
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It’s worth the ride! Very pretty views of the city!
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Such a beautiful and inspirational post Donna. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you for taking a few minutes to read.
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You’re welcome
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So many important reminders here for us all – even those of us who genuinely can’t climb such a mountain. My takeaway word from your text is ‘patience’ – needed not just to get a shot like that one of the moose and calf, but also patience with each other while exploring and adventuring (often I have to wait while my husband takes a photo of something that hasn’t grabbed me so much, and a few steps later he must do the same for me!)
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Thank you Sarah. Exactly right. I find these instances we run across DO teach us life lessons. We had another moose encounter where HE had to find patience. It was a blog post. We were sitting at the edge of a lake (remote). It was so quiet. My husband said : was that you? Horrified to think I might have passed *** in this beautiful place. ( and I thought it was him). At that same instance we both looked 20 yards away and a large bull moose was walking towards us grunting. Didn’t take us long to get out of his way. And when we did, he sauntered by, stopped to “give us a nod”. And went on his way. On that day we learned not every gift is tied up with a pretty bow. Always a pleasure to have you stop by.
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Haha, that must have been a memorable encounter for several reasons!
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Just brilliant. Your Jeep (does it have a name?) got the most perfect new clothes.
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Hahaha. We are trying to think of a name, and a personalized plate for it. No luck yet. Our radio call is hella yella. A friend called us that one day and it stuck.
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This was a cool post
The quotes and the lessons from getting lost —
And liked this ending:
And sometimes in the middle of nowhere you find yourself.
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Thank you, it’s all very true, isn’t it?
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🙂
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Beautiful post… I think Spirituality hit home for me. When I’m in a spectacular place of beauty…it amazes me and the view overcomes me. And I thank God for the creation of it.
We love to Wander… the views in the back country are sooooo amazing here in our gorgeous and amAZing Arizona!
Thanks for such a lovely post… Happy April!
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Thank you Nancy. Happy April, Yes, these backroads are awe-inspiring. So much to see. Thanks again.
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