Hiking in Devils Kettle falls

We were in Minnesota last fall, and I can say it was one of the truly relaxing at the same time invigorating vacations. We hiked, did scenic drives, enjoyed the local cuisine and were introduced to a different kind of life style.

During our trip we stayed in the twin cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Duluth and than in the beautiful quaint village of Grand Marais.

Grand Marais is few hours away from the Canadian border on the banks of Lake Superior. We had planned to spend only a day there but were charmed enough to squeeze another day.

Picturesque village of Grand Marais has acquired the reputation of being some sort of an artist’s haven. We were pleasantly surprised to by the warm hospitality of the place. Luckily we were there right at the end of the busy tourist season – which is also our preferred time to discover a place at leisure.

One the very first day we hiked to the Devils Kettle water falls. Even though all through the entire trip we saw more than a few waterfalls, still the Devils Kettle managed to awe us.

2nd Birthday

A friend’s daughter celebrated her second birthday. Her delight and the pleasure at her birthday party and all the things attached was very infectious and fun to watch.

Watching her also reminded me of the paradox in life- we want to grow up very fast when we are young and then want to go back to our childhoods the rest of our lives!

Another of life’s innocent pleasures- sucking on ice cubes with friends!

Neela Aasman...

Crisp beautiful morning on Lake Superior- Minnesota. Hard to tell where the earth ends and heaven begins……

I will share some more about my fall trip to Minnesota in my next few posts...

Annual Cherry Blossom Festival

I was in Washington DC last week for a conference. After the conference we stayed over for few days to enjoy the Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. I have to say the blossoms in full bloom are a sight to behold. Even though this was our second visit coinciding with the fortnight long festival, the sight of the trees laden with flowers was still as breathtaking. The vision and the splendor erased the memory of airline misplacing my luggage for a full 24 hours!!!!!

The blooms splendid in all their glory also make you conscious of the fleeting quality of life. For these flowers only bloom once at the onset of the spring and that too for a few days. Last year it was almost surreal to see the petals fill the Potomac’s Tidal Basin (trees are planted all around the basin forming a circle) when a strong gust of wind blew them off the trees.

Texas- a pleasant surprise!!!

A couple …… waiting…….

Lazy Sunday afternoon dip….

Time to bond with friends

An unusual at the same time very apt wreath on the gates of a cattle ranch.

Dome of the Texas state capital building. It is said that its taller than the US capitol!!!

Feeder in my yard!

I love watching humming birds flutter on the feeder early in the mornings. I never realized how territorial they can get. It is very interesting to see them chase each other away.

Sunset- Grand Canyon

I love the play of light and shadows on the canyons. One of the better places to catch the ever beautiful Arizona skyline and famous sunsets!

Tulips in Arlington National Cemetery

“Now, if death is inevitable, if all of our accomplishments, indeed our entire solar system, shall one day lie in ruins………then what enduring meaning can there be in like? ”

Irvin D. Yalom

All in days work

A shy smile...

She dwelt among the untrodden ways

Beside the springs of Dove,

A Maid whom there were none to praise

And very few to love:

William Wordsworth

Unexpected Dancer

Striking - literally!

Chudi wala

Proud and generous - he has been selling bangles at the same spot for past very many years!!

Freshly bathed

Like most young ones he did not appreciate that he was forced to take a bath.

Seamstress

What a smile!!

The Garden.....

Mom’s garden. She really works very hard on it. Every time I see this picture, I get very nostalgic.

How do I look?

Sari sales man in Jawala hade market -New Delhi, India. Nice guy, very persuasive. .

Newly wed

I met this newlywed young bride, outside Ram Chaat Bhandar when I was visiting India in March.