When you hear about different places in the world, sometimes the word ‘breathtaking’ or ‘awesome’ is used to describe them.  And sometimes that word is applied too easily. . . but sometimes, well, sometimes a place or a sight does take your breath away. For the purposes of this blog, I am not referring of breathtaking men, like Gerard Butler or the ones featured when JQ Kristan and Jill Shalvis issue a Facebook challenge to each other! Sorry, but that’s a different blog….

 

   For many years, I wanted to travel and see the Grand Canyon – I’d seen pictures of it in magazines and books, learned about it in school and then finally had the chance to visit it while at a conference in Phoenix. I remember driving up to the South Rim of the canyon and reaching the place where the road turns to the left and the canyon spreads out before you. At that time, you simply could not drive on — the usual reaction of drivers was to stop, right there, to get their first look. I did that, pulling off to the side of the road, climbing out of the car and walking towards the edge, until I could look out at the wide expanse. . . and lose my breath at the sight of it!

And even though I took lots of photos, some of them spectacular ones, those photos will never come close to displaying the sheer awesomeness of the sight itself. Not even the one of the thunderstorm moving along the canyon BELOW US!

 

     Then I began visiting Scotland and found many, many awesome and breathtaking sights there. From mountains to rivers to castles to ruins to standing stones and caves, each place I’ve visited has been more incredible than the last. At some of them, I simply stood and smiled and tried to take it all in. And each time I thought I could not be impressed again, I was. Each turn, each corner, brought a new wonder.  Once again, I took a HUMONGOUS amount of photos but none of them do justice to the reality of the place.

 

 

So now, I’m heading for another destination about which those same words are used — breathtaking. . . awesome–HAWAII and I realized it when talking to someone who’d visited Hawaii several times that it would be a repeat of those other places. She said to me that, even though I’d seen pictures and movies and tv shows set there, none of that would prepare me for the real thing I would see. I’m packing two cameras and an iPhone with a waterproof/underwater case and will try to memorialize my trip there. And if nothing else, I’ll have a great record of visiting another awesome, breathtaking places in the world! (and I’ll share them with you all, too!)

What awesome, breathtaking place have you visited or sight have you seen? Have you visited a special place or even laid your eyes on something that made you stop and stare in wonderment? A baby’s first smile, perhaps?  Share one with me and I’ll pick a couple of posters to receive a souvenir from Hawaii (and – no Alex O’Laughlin who is really from Australia and just working in Hawaii) and a copy of one of my books, too!

 

Terri is packing and organizing for her long-awaited trip to Hawaii and has set a lofty goal of reading a romance novel on a different beach every day of her trip — she’ll report back her success or failure on her return to real life!  In the meantime, she’s still recuperating from her deadline-binge (last week) and still celebrating the release of her September Harlequin Historical – THE HIGHLANDER’S STOLEN TOUCH. For more info about tons of stuff about her. . .and her books and events, visit her website.