It started sprinkling as we left the campground on highway 20, heading towards the Cascade Mountains in northern Washington. The skies were heavy grey and clouds were hanging low among the mountains as we started our assent. It was beautiful and rain continued to be light enough for me to jump out at pull offs to practice my photography skills.

Every curve in the road resulted in gasps and breaths of joy. The mountains are made of multi-colored rock, the pines are tall and narrow – pointing their way to the sun – that wasn’t shining. The hanging clouds rose and twisted around the mountains.

About noon we saw blue peeking through breaks in the clouds and sun began to hit the mountains. What was so very beautiful was transforming into another form of beautiful.

We were descending into sunshine, but as we moved around and down the pass I wanted to go back in the other direction because I knew there was a different form of beauty driving from west to east. I frequently looked in the rear-view mirror hoping I would get one last glimpse.

What a surprise when I saw the Cascade peaks during our drives around Whidbey Island. And I am going forward in faith that there is more beauty of a different type ahead of us. It is up to me to find it.