Tuesday, July 16, 2013

a sunset

We have spent the last few days backpacking on the Washington Coast....have you been to Washington? It's an incredible place. Are you from there? Lucky you!
Now I'm no world traveler, but I am most certain that the western half of United States is the absolute best place on Earth. We have it all--mountains, forests, deserts, plains, beaches.....I just love it out here and feel so lucky to call The West my home.

I have so many photos and stories to tell about this trip, and I first wanted to share this sunset and a few simple thoughts about the day we took it slow...

We'd hiked five miles this day. Down the beach, up cliffs into the rain forest and found the perfect campsite to call home for the night. We set up tents and spent a lazy afternoon on the beach, laying in the sand and dozing in and and out of conversation with friends. 
No phones, no gadgets, no service, no to-dos.
All clear.
We played ultimate frisbee on the beach, followed by a quick dip in the freezing cold ocean.
As the sun began to drop from the sky we headed out to the tide pools to explore the rocks and sea life.
Like kids we collected shells and stones to fill what little empty space we had in our packs. 
As the sun sank lower it bathed us in golds and oranges and pinks, and we stopped and watched it's final moments as it fell deeper, deeper, deeper, and was slowly swallowed up by the sea.
We made our way back to camp, the sky still pink and the sliver of a moon rising to replace the sun. 
Around the fire we ate and laughed until the moon chased the sun down into the ocean and thy sky was dark again.
A day with no schedule, no plans, nothing to do except just BE.

note: the real life sunset was exactly 1 million times prettier than these photos
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I think this was the best sunset I have ever witnessed.....anytime, anywhere. 
It was in a beautiful place with best of friends and I was so happy I was able to stand there and be present in that moment, feet in the sand, eyes on the sinking sun.

15 comments:

eden greer said...

Sounds like a glorious trip!! I am happy you got to go! and that sunset looked amazing! I can hardly fathom what it looked like in person!

Hannah said...

wow! this is truly amazing!! wowwwww!!! would love to travel there one day! have a nice day <3

Anonymous said...

Sheena,
This is such a breathtaking post...pictures that capture such timeless beauty and words to further ornament the beautiful ambience of your experience...I love your writing voice..I love the way you are able to bring your readers right into these sacred moments with you and your family...thank you for inspiring me as a blogger/writer and for sharing these precious stories... Happy Summer! It seems you are truly making the most of it!

Mickelle said...

absolutley amazing pictures! im jealous of your life :)

alicia said...

as a washingtonian thanks for such kind words about this beautiful state. i absolutely loved your pictures. sounds like it was a wonderful trip!

Monica said...

This took me back hard. A perfect story to match the moment. And the photos A-mazing. Every one of them. We need to get another small escape on the calendar!

SKCranePhotography said...

I completely agree about the NW. I am from Idaho but when I moved to Seattle I never felt more at home. I think the drizzly rain and overcast sky makes sense to my Scandinavian pale skin. :)

Clandestine Road said...

That's awesome. Your pictures capture it so well. What a wonderful time. I love Washington, which is where I live. I am a world traveler and I think the NW is the best place in America, by far. There is a quiet hush in the trees, the clean pine smell that soothes that is just heaven.

Unknown said...

Do you mind sharing where you found your campsite at? We live in Hood River, Oregon (if you haven't been to the Columbia Gorge, it is a must) and my family and I love to check out new camping spots. Trying to find one near the beach for next month. Thanks!
Ashley
www.localhaven.net

sheena said...

Hey Ashley! We camped at 3 different spots on the beach in Olympic National Park--all sites that you had to backpack in to.....no road access.

Josh said...

Beautiful...we need to adventure together sometime :)

Gentri said...

absolutely incredible. I can just feel your joy radiating through your pictures. perfection. Thank you for sharing it with us!!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the information. Looks absolutely breath taking. I think my husband and I will check this out minus kids come August.

in dreams said...

sheena! these are some of the most beautiful photographs i've EVER seen! i can't get over how perfect they are! gah! <3

jenniferhoiyin said...

Life should always have moments like these, stunning.