Texas Travel

Wanderlust

an education in adventure

written by Casey Johnson | photos by Nicole Oman of Relics of Rainbows Photo W ith a dream and a mission, local mom & the kids a different kind of education. “We traded in the monotony of quarantine with its abundance of screen time for life On their return trip, they will travel through Utah before headed back to our great state of Texas. Armed with her photographer of Relics lessons on the road. trusty camera, Nicole of Rainbows Photo, Every place we stop has captured some Nicole Oman decided fosters discovery and amazing imagery that to put her Coronavirus an appreciation for the we are excited to share worries aside for a bit beauty of our Earth with our HFM readers. of wanderlust with the and our Country. More We hope you enjoy family. “We decided significantly, they’re the visual journey and since Covid probably learning Earth and Life that it inspires you to won’t be over for a Science by seeing and embark on your own while that we’d act now breathing it.” family adventure. on our dream of buying As many great an airstream and seeing adventures start, Follow Nicole on more of the U.S.,” Nicole and her family Instagram said the Houstonian began by driving off @relics.of.rainbows and mom. While school into the sunset headed @nic_oman starts are delayed all west through Texas Check her out online at across the Houston then traveling to New www.rorphoto.com area, it’s a good time Mexico, Arizona and to get out and give ending in San Diego.

TAKING THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED FOR A DRIVE BY PRADA MARFA, INSTALLATION BY ARTISTS ELMGREEN AND DRAGSET, LOCATED 1.4 MILES NORTHWEST OF VALENTINE, TEXAS

EXPLORING WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK, NEW MEXICO WHILE A MONSOON APPROACHES

CAMPING MARFA, TEXAS (MARFA YACHT CLUB)

EXPLORING TIDE POOLS AT MONTAÑA DE ORO STATE PARK, LOS OSOS, CALIFORNIA

ROCK CLIMBING, SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK, ARIZONA

“It’s the not the Destination, It’s the journey ”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK, ALAMOGORDO, NEW MEXICO

SUNNY SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

written by Elizabeth Irvine califorina dreaming

Iwrote this below, California Dreaming, in January 2020. Who could have guessed that 6 months later we are all living in a new way-- quarantine, riots and fear of the unknown. For me, reflecting back on this beautiful trip brings me a new sense of hope and inspiration. Life in its very simplicity is good. And,

I believe goodness and light are contagious too. As I see it there are two vibrations; 1.

Light 2. The absence of light.

Every day, and every moment we all get the opportunity to be truly alive. Whether it is being inspired by a new place, something we read, our own stillness, the morning sunshine, or our daily food that nourishes us. Hold onto the light, continue to reach for it and trust. [On a recent trip to California, to celebrate the girls’ birthday, unexpected experiences appear. Allie is finishing up a two-year program studying depth psychology. Sarah and I join her at the end of one of her sessions to take a few days of R&R, and start 2020 in a fresh and inspiring way.

Over a glass of champagne, the three of us make a rough plan of what our three days in California will hold. We all agree — time together, in nature, along with good food and wine are the top of our list.

SEAL SANCTUARY VILLAGE The hiking guide book piques our interest — a hike along the coast line with a viewing spot of the seal sanctuary. The next morning we walk along the path to the coast greeted by a promenade of giant eucalyptus trees, who seem to welcome us in. The trail turns soft and sandy as we head towards the coast line. Winding along the foot path of succulents we reach the cliff line, the path turns and we look down to the beach. What we see next honestly, takes my breath away. A colony (or what seems like a small village) of mama and baby seals basking in the sun and playing in the water. A world in its own, and us the silent observers.

MORNING AT THE TEMPLE The next day, Allie takes us to one of her favorite spots. Tucked into the hills behind her campus is a temple where she

would often hike up to during a session break. She talks a lot about this place, and so Sarah and I are excited to finally be there too. As we get out of the car and walk up the path I begin to feel a sense of peace and calm wash over me. I ask the girls if they feel it too. Allie says, “Yes, I feel happy and content.” Sarah says, “I feel peaceful and quiet.”

We sit on the entrance stairway basking in the sun of this modest temple, taking in the flowers and brilliantly alive plants bursting with color, they feel almost electric. As we sit quietly, it feels as if we are acclimatizing to the atmosphere — the sacred space — and being welcomed in.

After settling into this ‘feeling’ we enter into the simple and elegantly designed temple — the structure engulfs quiet stillness held through years of meditation, which seems to wrap around us like a warm blanket. A place like this makes slipping into meditation an easy and welcome feeling. This Vedanta temple holds representation of many religions — Buddhism and Catholicism. We feel at home. We walk back out into the sunshine and take in the expansive Pacific Ocean view, and linger around the grounds a little longer. It is hard to put feelings into words, but the best I can sum it up is; a satiated, deep peaceful contentment feeling of nolack, to want for nothing. The weekend held many special moments, but this one is one I want to recall.

AFTERNOON AT THE BEACH The power of nature can be un-nerving. Especially, the force of the sea. In the afternoon we picnic, lounge, and walk the beach. After about an hour I notice feeling overwhelmed by the magnetic pull of a force much greater than me. As we eat, relax, walk barefoot and search for stones — the afternoon turns to dusk and we lose track of time (and everyone else on the beach DINNER AT THE INN A special birthday dinner celebration finishes the day. As we drink wine and enjoy a beautifully presented dinner, we take it all in — the flowers, the candles, the presentation of a well-thought out table setting. Sitting outside under a full moon and twinkle lights, gratitude is a strong running under current among us.

SHARED EXPERIENCE I share this personal California experience, as yours too. Every day, and every moment we all get the opportunity to be truly alive. Whether it is being inspired by a new place, something we read, our own stillness, the morning sunshine, or our daily food that nourishes us. Life is good. Everything is alright. It is a matter of trust. All is well, and just as it should be.]

Elizabeth Irvine: Nurse, educator and award-winning author. She is the founder and owner of Truewellbeing Inc— you can purchase her books, jewelry and sign up for soulful workshops and retreats around the world.

The “new normal” holds a way of doing things differently— virtual time spent together is an economical and empowering new paradigm. The virtual workshop groups that form each week are nothing short of magic.

www.elizabethirvine.com/ truewellbeing-virtualworkshops