We ( my sweet hubby and I) went for a drive the other day. As you know, it’s one of our favorite things to do. The weather was perfect, the sky was clear, and the company was exceptional. I wish I could have taken you with us too. It truly was a “blue bird day”. We decided to drive a few minutes out of town ( only about 10 minutes) to a lovely park, Fern wood Park.
The wordless Wednesday post below was taken at a park by our home on the same day.
On the drive up the hill to the park you pass this home. It’s a castle! Isn’t it wonderful.
-story of the castle/ home- A man ( Gary) fell in love with a lovey lady ( Lynda), it was love at first sight. They traveled the world together and then married. A Short time later Lynda was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.During one of her remission periods Gary vowed to build her the home of her dreams. It has a pool, tennis courts and a lovely stable area. Just by looking at the outer gates you can see that Gary placed his wife’s beauty not only into the home but into all that surrounded it as well. Soon after he began to build it Lynda lost her battle with cancer. Sadly she did not live to see her dream home finished. However, Gary later dedicated the home to his lost love and held tours for a short while. ( Those who toured left a donation; later to be given in her memory for the fight against cancer) Built with love and admired from heaven.-
I will often ask to stop at random places when we go for drives. I love taking photos of bridges, click the link to see –windows and doors among other things. Are you drawn to anything in particular when you take photographs?
We arrived at the park and started down this beautiful trail hand in hand ( we always hold hands). I wish I had someone behind us to take our photo. Instead it is held securely in my memory.
We sat for a few minutes to enjoy this view
There was a lot of activity at the park, there were hundreds of lady bugs( ladybirds) flying around.None seemed to land for more than a second. Except for this one, it perched itself right on my face and then slowly crawled up ( yes it felt weird). Sparky ( my husband) snagged the camera and got this shot of my little hitchhiker. ( personal note way to close for comfort with the zoom)
Look at these gorgeous ferns. What would fern wood park be without them?
Red berries for the deer and the little black spider too. You can see it when you click the photo.
Autumn color bright and bold.
Time flew by and soon we were on our way home. A lovely day of happy memory making.
Do you have a park in your neighborhood that makes the hours fly by?
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Linking to these hops today- 
Wow, you caught some gorgeous shots! Thanks for linking up to the very first Head to Head Showdown on icantstopcrafting.blogspot.com! ~Jen
All of the pictures are beautiful, but I particularly like the trail.
I feel relaxed just reading this post! I love the ladybug pic, too! Time to hop on to the next friend! I hope your day has been blessed! Hugs, GraceinAZ
Lovely photos. The walk sounds heavenly.
What a beautiful place to visit. The pictures are great. I enjoyed the story.
Aw, what a sweet story – I love that ladybug, too!
Beautiful photos, what a lovely location! The ladybird is too funny 🙂
Thanks for linking up to the Shades of Autumn Photo Challenge!
Very cool pictures! I like the one of the ladybug =)
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Fantastic photos and the sad story behind that castle! So glad you’d an enjoyable outing. Have a great weekend ya!
A castle!?!? Wow!!! I’m your newest follower and would love you to follow me on your next visit!!!
Aimee @ ItsOverflowing
Gorgeous photos!
I just hopped over from the blog hop at the chickenista reviews
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I would love it if you could stop by and follow back and check out my blog (and giveaways) sometime!
Hope your having a great weekend!
Sarah Kay
@ http://magicallifeofmamas.blogspot.com/
What gorgeous pictures those are!! What a sad story about the castle.
Glad you enjoyed your beautiful autumn day 🙂
Gorgeous pictures – glad you had such a lovely, relaxing drive. That castle and the story behind it…I’ve read about that somewhere! So neat that you live near it.
Oh such a touching story about the castle you got there! Thanks for sharing. Gary found a way to fight cancer and I love his dedication. I love your photos too. Indeed you had a good day! 🙂
Hi Katherine,
Beautiful pictures – I believe it was a really nice drive. The autumn has so many nice colors hasn’t it? I like this time of year, as long as it doesn’t rain all the time. Thank you very much for sharing. Have a lovely Saturday and Happy Halloween! Hugs x
What a wonderful day and beautiful pictures.
Thanks for visiting me at A Season for All Things. I’m your newest follower and look forward to reading more of your posts… especially the book club/reviews.
~ Ellen
We don’t have a park nearby, and the ones we have in town are not nearly as beautiful as yours. I am drawn to windmills when I have my camera along on a drive outside of town. I love the story of the castle…sad and beautiful. Hugs, GraceinAZ
I have the same dilemma regarding the photos. Once in a while a total stranger will offer to take our photo, and that’s been very nice. Now I do the same when I see a similar situation with a couple or group- no one’s left out then. Pretty photos and thoughts, tfs.
Lovely photos. I like a little island by my house connected by a tiny bridge. There are coves there and sailboats to watch, swings to fly in and swans on the bay. Its a nice place to swim or just sit and think.
When I lived in Utah, I used to like to go to Tipples Fork in American Fork Canyon and wander around. Not quite a park but, a good place to be.
beautiful pictures!
i hope you have alovely weekend my friend 🙂
You have shared some wonderful pictures with us Katherine. What a beautiful castle! I love to capture nature scenes as they give me a sense of peace. The ones you have here were captured at the right moment. Take care and have a good weekend.
No park that we go to. I guess I need to find one. That castle is beautiful. Sounds like you had a perfect day. I would have loved to have seen the ladybugs.
These are beautiful images. What a lovely day!
Thank you for sharing them.
🙂
Lovely pictures! My hubby and I walk in our pastures and woods on our property. We always enjoy the quiet, and the time together.
Hi Katherine, I enjoyed this lovely post. I love outdoor scenery and taking pictures of it as you know by my blog. 🙂 We do have a beautiful provincial park near us but we haven’t been out there for a walk in months. I guess we were just too busy. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Blessings, Pamela
Those are just stunning images! Happy Friday my friend! ~Hugs
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Sad story about the castle.
Looks like a GREAT day!
Bring a little tripod with you and set it up with a timer as you walk down the path. Then you can have a great photo of the two of you walking. I got a super light tripod at Target for $16 and it has a carrying case with it. It is great for taking along in situations like these.
Impressive views. Happy Halloween, Kath 🙂
Great post Katie. Driving around on a beautiful day seeing sights we have not seen before is also a favorite pass time of Linda & I. Of course the older we get driving is far superior to walking. Email me and tell a little about what your new adventure is all about.
Hugs,
Odie
Hi, Katie
I love these pictures. Seem like a very peaceful and relaxing day. Glad to see it. Have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Vanessa
You described the perfect day, Katie. If you and your husband still walk hand in hand that says it all and I am very happy for you. My dad loved the great outdoors and his hobby was nature photography. He took pictures of blossoms, fall leaves, bubbling brooks, and even such things as tree bark and fungus which were simply studies of form and texture. He also loved to photograph covered bridges, barns and other man made structures found in rural locations. Have a wonderful weekend, dear friend!
Lovely photos and very touching story of the castle!
What gorgeous photos and I love the story of the house 🙂
Ohhhh super, I always with that I was captured in the shots more often but alas i guess Im always behind the camer capturing everyone elese lives.
I love a good long walk, exploring new places, enjoying scenery and history. I’m particularly drawn to old doors or painted doors, big rustic doors and tiny alice in wonderland doors…. I will share some on my blog one day me thinks.
Lovely blog post. Cute lil lady birds. 😉
Jennie. x