Mount Charleston (NV)

I know that I mentioned during our coffee date last weekend, that I felt a need to get out of the city. Not that unusual..LOL. A day trip during the weekend really does the trick for me. I’d say that I can handle city living pretty good, if I get that thrill most weekends. To be addicted to nature can’t be all that bad. Right?

It snowed in the mountains surrounding Las Vegas, on Saturday night. We headed up to Mount Charleston, (one of our closest places to enjoy the snow at,) on Sunday. This time it was even more fun than usual, because we didn’t go by ourselves. We went with a great family from Vegas, that both my daughter and I love very much. It was a blast.

The kids were so happy to play in the snow.

Both two legged, and four legged kids!

I’m so grateful that we have the mountains nearby. It really doesn’t matter what mountain it is, the mountains feels like home to me.

I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, This is what it is to be happy. – Sylvia Plath

That is exactly how I feel when I get out of the city. Alive. There’s endless studies showing that people who lives close to nature (park/forest,/beach/mountain,) and frequently spend time there, is less likely to get depressed, or suffer anxiety problems. Not that I ever had a severe reaction like that, but still. I can totally understand that relation.

My German Shepherd shares my opinion. I never see her as happy, as she is when she’s in the mountains.

You already know who my favorite poet it..I feel the power of this well known quote in my soul.

The mountains are calling and I must go. – John Muir 

Sledding, and snowshoeing are popular winter activities at Mount Charleston. We had a great time playing, and doing some lighter hiking with the kids. I think it was exactly what we all needed to be able to start a new week at our best. (A pretty important week that is. My daughter started a new school, closer to my new home yesterday. Her first day went well. She made some new friends, and said that the school was OK.)

Where earth meets the sky. 

It was cold and beautiful.

The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness. – John Muir   

I love the challenge of taking photos of a snowy landscapes. Everything looks so clean, and soft.

I was so surprised to see a Prickly Pear Cactus peek up through the snow. I didn’t know that they thrived on this elevation. The contrast is rather stunning, don’t you think?

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 storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn. – John Muir 

I hope you enjoyed this little winter adventure, and some inspiration for your Thursday morning. I can’t believe that it’s almost weekend again!

Not all adventures makes it here to the blog, but I usually post something on Instagram, feel free to follow my explorations in mindfulness there.

Love,

Ms Zen