This is a collections of photographs taken in the states of Iowa and Illinois. It may be hard for some to believe, but we found it a bit difficult to find really eye popping outdoor areas in these states, though we did love those places we did get to visit. Whenever you get into nature, life seems to be better.

Picture 1

The Lonesome Lounger: There is nothing quite like taking a moment to reflect in the natural environment, especially when on the banks of a serene lake. We found this lake on our way up to Chicago.

Picture 2

Watching the City Tide: So this is not necessarily a true NaturalNature seeing as we were in the middle of the capital city of Iowa, but the river is still a natural occurrence, and the feet of the one posing are in it, so it bends the rules, but still tries to stay true.

Picture 3

Is It a Bird? Is It a Plane? It’s a Naked Man on a Tree!: Our resident daredevil manages to get wrapped around the trunk of a tree tight enough to take a moment to point out something that no one else seemed to see. It’s always great to get in touch with the youthful side and climb into the branches of a tree.

Picture 4

Seeing Through the Splash of City Lights: Sometimes cities have little accesses to the natural world, though the energy there is still not as intense as when further from the infringement of human impact, they can still help us find and discover that source of energy and Love within ourselves.

 Picture 5

The Contemplative Climber: Trees and water are both amazing things. Trees link the earth and sky, while water is that element which composes most of our own being. Climbing one while being next to lots of the other lends time for contemplation as to where our energy really comes from.