My 3rd Act
LightNews LightNews
banner
my3rdact.bsky.social
My 3rd Act
@my3rdact.bsky.social
1.2K followers 660 following 1.3K posts
National Park Geek 40/63, Route 66 Completer, WA Parks 105/124, VanCamper, RoadTripper, Pottery & Junk Collector, Navy Mom, Gma, DogMom, PNW Master Gardener 8b, Ally/Advocate, Meditator, Empath. Making the most of life during these challenging times.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
my3rdact.bsky.social
My 3rd Act @my3rdact.bsky.social · Jun 9
This my safe place to decompress, share what I love, & connect with others who love the same things. If you try to rain on my parade, criticize me for spreading joy right now, not getting political, or if you reply with any negativity - I will hide your posts and block you. 💕☀️🙏🏼 #mentalhealthmatters
Sunshine, rainbows, flowers, a map, camping. Using Bluesky as a vessel for the things I love that are keeping me mentally safe during these challenging times.
my3rdact.bsky.social
#Stunday Combining my love of sunrises with my quest to see all of the remaining Muffler Men. This guy stands in a bed of flowers in front of Greeley Garage and Auto Repair in Colorado. On my way to Rocky Mountain NP.
#findjoy #roadtrip
#traveloften #MufflerMen #roadsideamericana #sunrise #Colorado
A towering statue of a man in a blue shirt stands among tall grass and sunflowers at sunrise, creating a serene and nostalgic atmosphere.
October 19, 2025 at 2:46 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
#SixonSaturday My fall garden snapshot: Mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium) 3 Aster colors (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) Grape Leaf Anemone (Eriocapitella vitifolia) Sunchokes (Helianthus tuberosus) & Dahlias (Dahlia pinnata)
#bloomscrolling #findjoy
#gardening #PNW #Octoberblooms #photography #garden
A grid photo that shows each of 6 flower types boxes. Pinks, purples, peach, and yellow.
October 18, 2025 at 6:59 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
Route 66 Kansas: The Rainbow Bridge. The only Marsh Arch concrete bridge left on Route 66. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
#route66 #Kansas #getyourkicks #roadtrip #findjoy #rainbowbridge #roadsideamericana
(more info in Alt Text).
A white, arched concrete bridge spans across lush greenery under a partly cloudy sky, conveying a serene and peaceful rural landscape. The unique and graceful Rainbow Arch design was the brainchild of James Barney Marsh, a bridge designer from Iowa, who patented the concrete and steel truss design in 1912. Marsh spent the next two decades erecting approximately 70 of his Rainbow Arch bridges throughout the Midwest. Built in 1923, this 130-foot bridge carried Route 66 motorists over Brush Creek until it was bypassed by the interstate in the 1960s. The bridge consists of a pair of arches disposed between two abutments, with concrete banister railings aligned parallel with the bridge deck. The original patents called for slideable wear plates, molded into the concrete where the bridge deck came into contact with the beams and abutments. This is important, as one of the main benefits of this design was to allow for the expansion and contraction of the reinforced concrete bridge under varying conditions of temperature and moisture. The Brush Creek Bridge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. In 1992, upon seeing two other Marsh Arch bridges on the short stretch of Route 66 through Kansas dismantled, the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association worked successfully to save the Brush Creek Bridge.
October 2, 2025 at 3:28 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
Staying at the Moraine Park Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park gave me anytime access to the Bear Lake Road Corridor w/o needing a separate timed entry reservation. The views were breathtaking!! #nationalparks #parkchat #RMNP #roadtrip #findjoy #NatParkGeek (more info in Alt Text).
A serene lake with clear blue water reflecting lush green trees and distant snow-capped mountains under a bright blue sky; evokes tranquility. Bear Lake is a scenic trailhead and destination in Rocky Mountain National Park. Sitting at 9,450 feet. It’s an alpine lake beneath Hallett Peakand the Continental Divide . Bear Lake Road is approximately 10 miles (16 km) long and starts close to the Beaver Meadows Entrance station of the Rocky Mountain National Park. The lake was formed during the ice age by a big chunk of ice. Several moraines can be found downhill of Bear Lake.
October 1, 2025 at 7:13 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
On a recent trip to Colorado, I met Rita the Rock Planter - a Dambo Troll nestled in the mountains near Cripple Creek on the Little Grouse Mountain Trail. (please see Alt Text for more info). #roadtrip #findjoy #DamboTrolls #Colorado #seekadventure #troll
A large handmade troll kneeling and pushing rocks with green trees and shrubs behind her and the mountains around Cripple Creek in the background. Her name is Rita the Rock Planter. Created by artist Thomas Dambo, Rita is a towering troll figure crafted entirely from recycled wood. But she's not just any troll – Rita kneels on the ground, carefully tending to the earth. Inspired by the historic mining landscape, Rita kneels attentively, patching up the ground where miners from the 1800s may have carelessly left holes behind. This playful giant serves as a symbol of environmental care, reminding us to treasure the beauty around us. #thomasdambo #cripplecreek #Victor #Colorado
October 1, 2025 at 1:03 AM
my3rdact.bsky.social
#Stunday Quick weekend trip to Sapulpa,
Oklahoma. This big orange ball was nearly perfect! #findjoy #traveloften
#sunset #Tulsa #Route66 #OK
Sunset scene with a glowing orange sun setting over a busy road lined with cars. The sky is filled with warm hues, creating a serene, picturesque view.
September 28, 2025 at 1:53 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
A stunning scenic drive. Yellowstone Lake from Lake Village to the East Entrance near Cody: It’s the highest elevation lake in the U.S. at 7,733 ft above sea level. It feels huge! 20 miles long x 14 miles wide with 100 miles of shoreline. #nationalparks #ParkChat #YellowstoneNP #roadtrip #findjoy
A serene lake with calm blue water is surrounded by dense, dark green pine trees under a cloudy sky, evoking a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.
September 24, 2025 at 1:43 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
Route 66 Kansas: Big A - the handsome Texaco Muffler Man stands 22 feet tall at Gearhead Curios in Galena. Meticulously restored by the American Giants Museum. Less than 200 Muffler Men remain in the U.S. and I want to see them all!
#route66 #Kansas #roadtrip #findjoy #roadsideamericana
Giant statue of a smiling man in a green uniform and cap holding a wrench. His right hand is raised in a wave, set against a backdrop of trees and buildings.
September 23, 2025 at 4:20 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
Bloomscroll from Rocky Mountain NP: Nodding Thistle (Carduus nutans) Talk about resilience! A single plant produces 1000s of seeds that can travel +350 ft, & remain viable in the soil for 10+ yrs! #findjoy #roadtrip #bloomscrolling #gardening #flowers #RMNP #nationalparks #ParkChat #photography
Close-up of a vibrant purple thistle flower against a backdrop of a sunny, grassy meadow with a clear blue sky and scattered clouds, evoking a serene mood.
September 22, 2025 at 4:09 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
#SixonSaturday My last summer garden snapshot: new blooms Showy Stonecrop (Hylotelephium spectabile) & Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) plus still in bloom Dahlias, False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), & Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus).
#bloomscrolling #findjoy
#gardening #PNW #garden
A grid photo that shows each of 6 flowers in a box.
September 20, 2025 at 11:21 AM
my3rdact.bsky.social
Another EPIC road trip in the books! I’m excited to create some posts about it
4,498 miles driven
16 Days
7 States
5 Natl Parks
3 Natl Monuments
3 Colorado Muffler Men
2 Dambo Trolls
2 other Bucket List (Garden of the Gods & Estes Park). #findjoy #roadtrip #nationalparks #parkchat #bucketlist
Colorful map of the 7 Western States visited on my road trip: Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Oregon.
September 17, 2025 at 1:19 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
Route 66 Kansas: The Galena Mural is made up of 416 individual porcelain tiles on a concrete block wall. Did you know? The entirety of Route 66 through Kansas is only a 12.8 mile stretch through the SE corner of the state! #route66
#Kansas #Galena #roadtrip #findjoy #roadsideamericana
A colorful tile mural of vintage scenes on Route 66 in Galena, Kansas, featuring classic cars, historic buildings, and bold lettering. A clock stands nearby.
September 16, 2025 at 1:23 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
Fall flowers in the Pacific Northwest. What’s blooming in my garden this week: Showy Stonecrop Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile) This one brings such end of summer joy! An essential late season nectar source for the bees & butterflies. Great Xeriscape choice too. #findjoy #PNW #bloomscrolling
Close-up of vibrant pink sedum flowers clustered densely on green stems, with sunlight highlighting their textured petals against a blurred garden backdrop.
September 15, 2025 at 3:06 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
Sunrise view from my campsite at Moraine Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park. What you can’t hear is several elks bugling in the background. What a wonderful wake up call! I believe this is Longs Peak. #RMNP #findjoy #NPGeek #NationalParks #parkchat #Stunday #sunrise #roadtrip #RockyMt
Scenic mountain landscape at sunrise with a grassy foreground, scattered rocks, and lush pine trees. A calm, warm light bathes the scene.
September 14, 2025 at 3:33 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
Looking forward to this documentary on the history and preservation of one of the most beautiful drives I’ve ever taken! Going to the Sun Road, Glacier NP. #nationalparks #parkchat
Journey to the Sun – A Glacier National Park Documentary
YouTube video by Journey to the Sun Film
youtube.com
September 9, 2025 at 2:34 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
#Stunday A sweet, little-known park tucked away in Gig Harbor WA with stunning sunset views of the Tacoma Narrows bridge and Narrows Strait in Puget Sound. And if you’re lucky, a ride on the swing at the water’s edge!. #findjoy #PNW #pugetsound #roadtrip #findyourpark #protectpublicland
Peaceful sunset view of the Tacoma Narrows suspension bridge spanning across the calm water of the Narrows Strait with soft pink and orange hues in the sky.
August 24, 2025 at 11:06 AM
my3rdact.bsky.social
#SixonSaturday My weekly garden snapshot: Butterfly Gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri), Dahlias, False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) and Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus).
#bloomscrolling #findjoy
#gardening #PNW #Augustblooms #findjoy #photography #garden
Six photos in a box frame of bright garden flowers: close-up of white blooms, a large peach dahlia, yellow sunflowers, and purple asters, purple hibiscus against greenery, and deep red and magenta blossoms.
August 23, 2025 at 2:11 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
Forest trail view from Chuckanut Drive, the 24-mile scenic byway hugs the sheer sandstone cliffs of the Chuckanut Mountains. The only place where the Cascade Mountains meet the sea. Overlooking Samish Bay w/gorgeous views of the Olympic Mtns & San Juan Islands. #roadtrip #findjoy
#ForestFriday
The image shows a forest landscape with peekaboo views of a large body of Samish Bay and San Juan Islands, which are characteristic features seen from vantage points along the Chuckanut Mountains and nearby Chuckanut Drive. 
August 22, 2025 at 2:34 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
The “World's Largest Buffalo" refers to a large, 26-foot-tall, 60 ton concrete buffalo statue located in Jamestown, North Dakota, at the Frontier Village and near the North American Bison Discovery Center. (Notice the kids on the right for size reference). #roadtrip #findjoy #roadsideamericana
Large bison / buffalo standing on a concrete pad with a sign noting it is the World’s Largest Buffalo. Also two kids playing nearby that barely reach the buffalo’s lower leg.
August 21, 2025 at 5:09 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
Cholla Cactus Garden Joshua Tree NP. A flat loop trail through 10 acres of teddybear cholla in the Pinto Basin. A symbol of endurance, resilience, purification & protection from negative energy. #NatParkGeek #NationalParks #findjoy #roadtrip #ParkChat #JoshuaTreeNP #saveourparks #protectpublicland
A cholla cactus with clusters of yellow flowers and dense spines stands under the sun in the Cholla Cactus Garden at Joshua Tree National Park’s Pinto Basin, with rocky hills in the distance.
August 20, 2025 at 12:55 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
Route 66 Missouri: Neon in St. Robert at George M. Reed Roadside Park. 11 signs rescued from fields & storage buildings, refurbished, and on display. A fun day or night stroll. From Missouri's section of the Mother Road - St. Louis to Carthage.
#route66 #Missouri #roadtrip #findjoy#neon #Americana
Colorful vintage neon signs line a walkway at the Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert, Missouri. In the foreground, a large teal and black sign reads “Welcome to St. Robert Route 66 Neon Park,” with a red arrow pointing toward the park. Other restored signs in view include “Modern Cabins,” “Motel St. Louis,” “Skyline Garage Auto Service,” and smaller directional markers. The signs stand against a bright blue sky with a few trees and open grassy areas. These signs originated along Missouri's section of the Mother Road, from St. Louis to Carthage. Signs include: Route 66, The Al-Pac Motel, Alura Motel, D & G Liquor, Modern Cabins, Motel St. Louis, Scully’s Restaurant & Motel, Skyline Garage, Stanley Cour Tel, and Tri-State Bonding.
August 19, 2025 at 5:38 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
Summer flowers in the Pacific Northwest. What’s blooming in my garden this week: Peach Gladiolus. Late bloomer -about a month behind the other Glads. What a lovely surprise! #findjoy #flowers #bloomscrolling #gardening
Close-up of a pale peach gladiolus flower with soft petals and a burst of bright coral streaks near the center.
August 18, 2025 at 1:26 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
#Stunday Sunset over Puget Sound with a view of the Olympic Mountains on the horizon. Grateful to live in such a beautiful place. #sunset #findjoy #PNW #westcoastbestcoast #themountainsarecalling #olympicnp #parkchat
This image captures a sunset over the water in Port Orchard, Washington. The sun appears as a distinct orange orb, and its reflection creates a shimmering path across the water's surface. In the background, a hazy sky due to the presence of smoke, from the Bear Gulch forest fire. The silhouette of the Olympic Mountains is visible on the horizon.
August 17, 2025 at 1:21 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
#SixonSaturday My weekly garden snapshot: Four Dahlia varieties (Dahlia pinnata), a late Gladiolus (Gladiolus gandavensis) & the Rose (Rosa chinensis) that’s been giving since May! #flowers #findjoy
#bloomscrolling
#gardening #PNW #Augustblooms #photography #garden #artyear #bloomscroll
A grid photo that shows each of 6 flowers in a box. Medium pink Dahlia with yellow in the petals in the dark peak center to candy pink large plate size Dalia, one dark pink Dalia with yellow Center, one dark pink, Dalia with a green center. Plus one peach Gladiola, and a shot of a large rose bush with lots of green and flowers in varying shades of pink.
August 16, 2025 at 1:53 PM
my3rdact.bsky.social
The Bear Gulch Fire doubled in size this wk. Now 8300+ acres burning around #OlympicNP Staircase Entrance. Air quality in surrounding counties is terrible (hence the sky). It’s raining now but USFS says not enough to contain it. Sending 💕🙏🏼💕 to the firefighters. #NationalParks #parkchat #forestfriday
Fiery sunset sky blending orange, gold, and pink tones, silhouetting tall evergreen trees and power lines in the foreground. Caused by smoke from the current fire in the Olympic National Forest and Park in Mason County near Lake Cushman and Hoodsport. #beargulch #saveourparks #olympicnationalpark #protectpublicland #forestfire
August 15, 2025 at 7:38 AM