Drawing strength from the outdoors

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the stroms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn"

- John Muir, Our National Parks 

This year our vacations have been simple. We have spent all of our time hiking, camping, exploring and being outdoors. Spending time together has been our number one priority and we have kept all the other details simple. When we have returned from vacation and been asked what we did our answers consisted of: spending time outdoors, hiking, driving, photographing nature and wildlife.

A week in the wild might sound boring to many (especially the nature averse), but it has proved rejuvenating to us time and time again. I feel more at peace, more connected and a greater satisfaction with my life the more time I spend outdoors. 

As I unpack my pressed leaves and sift through hundreds of images on my computer, here is a sneak peek of our week in the wild. This time we were in Alberta, Canada.  

Where are your favorite places to escape to?