Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Lubec, Maine

Lubec, Maine
Photos by Lindsay Steele

Lubec, Maine is one of the farthest western towns in America. It's the first place in the country where you can see the sunrise, which is around 4 in the morning. It's buildings are broken. Beached ships have been decaying for ages. But in its own way, it has a rugged beauty that can't be denied.
















Monday, July 13, 2015

7 Reasons Why You Need to go to the Pacific Northwest Today


1. The Mountains

The Pacific Northwest has some of the biggest mountains in America. One of my favorite trails I hiked was Hurricane Ridge, which was mainly a ridge trail. The snow tipped mountains stretch on and on and they really do seem like they were made for the gods.





2. The Rainforest

In the Hoh Rainforest there are green's that you could never dream possible. he vegetation is so thick it's like you're drowning in ferns! There's also, of course, the Redwood Forest, which is probably the most famous rainforest in America because it has the tallest trees in the world.






3. The Volcanos

Many of the mountains out west are actually volcanos, such as Mount St. Helens, Mount. Rainier, and the Three Sisters. Because of past eruptions, lava beds have been left behind, leaving miles of rocks. If you walk on them, be careful and don't slip! You will get cut. Because I'm so clumsy, I had a cut on my hand for a month.




4. The Coastline

A lot of people take a beautiful scenic route that stretches for miles. We took a route along the coastline in Oregon and stopped every so often to climb on rocks and look for whales and dolphins. At one point, we were so close to a whale, we could hear it's moans and see water spraying out of it's spout. My favorite part though, was how rocky the coast was. I sprinted along them, jumping from one to the next and snapping photos here and there.





5. The Tide Pools

All throughout the coast there's tide pools teaming with marine life that washed in. Starfish, sea anemones, and crabs stick to the beds like rocks. I remember poking the anemones, which felt almost like jelly, and they would shrink up around my finger. There were starfish with small suction cups that wriggled around in our hands like an alien life form.





6. Wizard Island Crater Lake

This magnificent lake has a volcano dropped right in the middle of it named Wizard Island. The lake and sky themselves are an incredible azure blue. When hiking around it, you will be stunned and continue rubbing your eyes to try and convince yourself you're awake. While, I unfortunately didn't get to stay overnight, there are incredible stars that sprinkle the sky above Crater Lake.




7. The Quirks 

I'm going to admit, there are some strange things in the West. I ate at Voodoo Donuts in Portland, which is a donut shop that sells the scrumptious treats in the shape of a person. Then, you are given a pretzel and you stab it until jelly oozes out. I went to Seattle during the Bite of Seattle Festival. I ate a rambutan fruit, which looks like this pokey nut on the outside, and like a slug on the inside. But, it was cool and almost melon like. Also in Seattle, there was a singing Chihuly garden made of all different colored glass.


Jump on a plane and go today!!

Have you been to the Pacific Northwest? What's your favorite part? Or your favorite part of the East Coast? Comment below and let me know!

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Day 62

Photo Taken Oregon Coast
By Lindsay Steele

The Oregon coast stretches long and beautiful. Not a day goes by that I don't miss running on rucks and through tunnels like these. It really is like a different country, a different world, a different life.

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Day 61


Photo taken Texas State Park
By Lindsay Steele

Have you ever taken a trip that would cause people to call you insane? Several weekends ago, my family and I drove over 2,000 miles from Michigan to Texas and Oklahoma, simply to hit two more states. Over a 56 hour period, we were in the car for 32 hours. By the end, all I wanted to do was run a marathon (and believe me, I'm not a runner). But, I have to say, the car nausea, and hours of staring out the window was totally worth it. States hit = 48. I'm coming soon Alaska and Hawaii! 



Friday, July 10, 2015

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Day 59

Photo taken Cannonsburg, MI
By Lindsay Steele

I've learned that if you go straight ahead in life and never stop or take turns to see what's hidden behind trees or down other roads, you never see anything new. You never get to experience life. When you take turns, you are opting to say 'I will live adventurously'.

Monday, June 22, 2015

Day 58

Photo Taken Olympic National Park
By Lindsay Steele

It was like being stuck in a sea of mountains and clouds - like being stuck between Heaven and Earth. It was almost as if the world was trying to decide which it was. There is nothing like it when you stand on a mountaintop with a wind so strong it could make you topple over. You stare out and you know there is nothing else like this in the world. It's pure perfection.

Day 57

Photo Taken in Washington
By Lindsay Steele

"Haystacks" that's what they're called. These mountainous rocks that would make any rock climber excited, were called "haystacks". They had beds of water streaming in between them that teemed with marine life. Starfish sucked to the rock like they were one with it. Sea anemones looked like blue, green, and purple grass flowing in the waves inside purple suction cups that snapped closed once you poked them.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Day 48

Photo taken by Lindsay Steele
Grand Rapids, MI
I thank the Lord the winter is melting away, but I swear He makes the world new with snow and ice crystals. It's like living in a snow globe or enchanted wonderland. 

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Day 47

Photo Taken Grand Rapids, MI
By Lindsay Steele

This photo was inspired by another photo I found online. I thought the lighting and contrast of the black and white were beautiful, and the ballerina almost looked like she was floating in a dark cloud. 

Monday, January 26, 2015

Day 46

Photo taken Grand Haven, MI
By Lindsay Steele

I feel like the beach is this glowing trophy of warmth and joy during the summer. It goes on for miles, and eventually disappears. With eyes closed, and a sweet smile of satisfaction on my face, I always hear children squealing with joy at how cold the water is. But, I'll admit, I believe the beach is much more beautiful in the winter. The sand and snow mix to create an ongoing spin of colors. The wind blows wildly and freezes my toes and fingers, but the pain disappears from my mind every time I smile at the next mountain of frozen waves. 

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Day 45

Photo taken California
By Lindsay Steele

I haven't the faintest idea what type of sea creature this could be. My cousin first pointed it out to me and tried to talk me into bringing it home with us. It was a rubbery and flimsy piece of the ocean. The colors were a vibrant blue purple and rims cascaded from its fin like steps. I could imagine it being served at a fancy restaurant where people would close their eyes and take in the scrumptious taste. But in the end, I left it in the sand. 

Day 44

Photo taken California
By Lindsay Steele

In Michigan, we have absolutely beautiful beaches. We have white sand and clean, clear water thats cool and refreshing. People can lay on beaches and not have to worry about their children getting hurt on sharp rocks. In the Pacific Northwest, beaches aren't exactly 'family friendly'. Sharp rocks jut out of the ocean with marine animals stuck in puddles from overspilling waves. A simple slip could mean getting stitches. And I think that's what makes their beaches much more incredible. They can sprint across rocks believing they could out run boats, or be a spy scurrying away from a villain. Their beaches aren't 'family friendly', but they're adventure friendly. 

Day 43

Photo taken Crater Lake, OR
By Lindsay Steele

Either people in the Pacific Northwest are much more fit or they're all lying to watch Easterners suffer. After we were told it only took an hour and a half to hike half the trail of Crater Lake, we were dripping sweat four hours later. I don't think many people could complain though. Crater Lake could be considered the blue diamond of America, maybe the world. It is encased in mountains and has a painting like setting. Not a single photo could look bad when taking a picture of it. It glitters in the sparkling sun and skies are almost, but not quite, as blue as the lake. I would simply love to spend the night on the trail, staring up at the spilt milk that's our galaxy. 

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Friday, January 9, 2015

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Monday, January 5, 2015

Sunday, January 4, 2015