#exploringsunshine

On our hike last weekend, this stump was literally right in the middle of trail. When I looked up after going around it, I saw this tree growing over the trail. I'm not sure why but I found it so interesting. There's so much to life that remains a magic and mystery to me, and it's all passing so quickly. Fiercely commit to every moment, the beautiful and even painful. What sets us apart is how we handle the painful. Anyone can be happy during the blissful, sunny days. The greater question is.... What are you willing to sacrifice for? #exploringsunshine (at Eagle Mountain Lake)

moms. #exploringsunshine • • • Mother's Day is coming. Reminds me of home and wishing I lived closer to family. I always love finding something fun to get my mom, mother-in-law, and grandmother. Not sure where I'd be in life without these women being my support! Do you have a usual go-to gift for you mom? If you haven't gotten anything, hurry, you still have time! (at New Orleans, Louisiana)

ramblings & stuff. #exploringsunshine • • • I'm fascinated most days by Instagram. A gathering of photos from all across the globe. I definitely am not a person to live through a screen, but I also find it incredibly wonderful that most days I get to go hiking in a dozen national parks, catch up with views of my home state, read, learn, and see a mosque from the other side of the world, admire street art from New Zealand. I get to do all of this from Texas. It's inspiring. I stumble across so many accounts, photos and people on Instagram that motivate me to dream big... the world is so much bigger and brighter seeing it through all of your eyes. Thank you to anyone who stumbles across my account to say hi, hit the ❤️ button, or decide to follow me, my photos, and random readings. Let's keep gathering with our photos and revealing pieces of this planet we might not otherwise get to see. (at Banff National Park)

E D I T #exploringsunshine • • • Edit your life ruthlessly and fiercely. It's your masterpiece after all. (at Pikes Peak)

W I L D #exploringsunshine • • • Stumbled upon a sea of wildflowers on my hike, and it reminded me of a favorite quote. "Her messy hair, a visible attribute of her stubborn spirit. As she shakes it free, she smiles knowing wild is her favorite color." Stay wild✌️ (at Fort Worth, Texas)

H A N G S #exploringsunshine • • • You are looking at a pretty happy girl here! I got a hammock about 5 months ago and life has been insanely busy since then. I have felt so disconnected from hiking and getting outdoors. But TODAY I finally got to spend time in the outdoors and enjoy my @elevatehammockcompany hammock....I love it! Many more hammock hangs in my future. Such an amazing day. Can you feel my happiness through your screen?!?! 😂👏😀🤣👍☺️😀🙌 (at Eagle Mountain Lake)

C H I L L #exploringsunshine • • • Usually when I hear the word explore, I think of hiking mountains, biking a park, or touring a new city, something that I am actively doing. Last night, we explored a new restaurant on the lake and enjoyed a sunset with live music. The evening was relaxing, yet still a new discovery and fantastic to take in. (at Eagle Mountain Lake)

W h o #exploringsunshine • • • If you had to answer who you are, what would you say? Would you name off your career? Perhaps your relationships... wife, friend? It's an answer that for myself has changed over time. When I was younger, it was focused on who I was becoming and all that was I striving for. But now, it's less about all of that. It's less about nailing a title or perfecting a picket fence dream. I want to be someone who truly lived every moment. (at Top Of Tunnel Mountain)