MOTHER NATURE.

My man has a knack for finding adventure. I'll say 'Hey, lets go do something new today' and in ten minutes he's got a list of places for us to go explore. And they're always awesome. And just what we need at the time. That's exactly how we discovered this place a few years ago.

Original homestead of the Strait family.

Behold MN Valley State Park. State parks are one of our favorite things. They always offer new experiences, breath taking views, and the best part....they're free! This particular one is practically in our back yard (or ten miles down the road, but hey, same thing, right?)

This one quenched our thirst for our love of old houses. Even though we've been here before, each time we take in and remember something new.

Loved the huge floor to ceiling windows in the house.

With two kids in tow our hike was short, but we still soaked in some amazing sights.

Mother Nature, she's a wonderful thing, isn't she?

Now a little random fact about me, I love cemeteries. I don't know why exactly. Perhaps it is their still beauty. The connections to the past . Wondering the stories behind the people. With that said, it's a little ironic that there is one almost in my back yard (and really this time. Only one house between us). It totally freaked me out when we first bought our house. But now, six years later I don't even flinch at the thought, and we have actually gone there several times for baby name inspiration.

On our hike we discovered this little gem, and it intrigues me. I admire its beauty and wonder the story behind this woman. And I smile just a little bit at the wording.

It reads 'Wife of George Strait died December 21, 1860' and then I can't make out the rest. I wonder why she is buried out here all by herself and what in the world is the poor lady's name? Although beautiful, I hope my gravestone will say my name, not 'Wife of Nick Slavik'. Don't get me wrong, I'm proud and happy to be his wife. But I've got many other qualities too. Just sayin'.

Anyhow, once again my man delivered on some fun adventure. It fuels my soul and I hope my kids inherit his knack for adventure and our eyes for beauty in Mother Nature.

We capped the morning off with a little picnic lunch. And there you have it folks. A splendid day indeed.