August had everything.

August began with us visiting the eternal flame waterfalls trail in our neighboring New York State.

A waterfall with a flame! I have seen people walk the trail in winter too! It should be beautiful with snow.

Then, it was family time with my brother’s family. We thought we would be roaming around on trails but ended up eating a lot and watching Netflix. Thanks to August rains. My niece got easy this time!

Food with family is always fun! Spicy 🌶️ chilly bhaji! (My sister-in-law also cooked but I forgot to take pictures)!

I had no National Parks or Park sites on my list for August but when were in Moundsville, WV my app alerted me it was part of Louis and Clark Expedition Trail.

Grand Vue Park, WV! All state parks in WV have this cute swing!

I stayed home with my special young man as my husband and my second kid walked across the rainbow bridge to attend our Guru’s healing concert at Niagara Falls. I did not do this activity but I felt so happy for them.

Picture courtesy my second kid as he walked back on the rainbow 🌈 bridge! Colorful Niagara Falls!

My second kid went back to school and life returned back to hitting our local trails and getting back to our routine.

Pav Bhaji
Besan flour coated bread
The Masala Toast! Our cooking continues! Yes, every Thursday I post them on my son’s fb page.
Local streams were beautiful this month! Why complain about the rain?

It was hot, it was rainy, it was perfect, it was busy and it was not so busy. I should say that August had a lot of components in it.

Bees 🐝 enjoying marigold nectar! Last taste of summer!

I blog almost every day. Yet, when I write a monthly wrap up, it feels so satisfying. Have to appreciate what we have!

Praying for the lost souls in the Himalayan flash floods. Also, my prayers for the flash flood situation in Grand Canyon area. Mother Nature taught us with fires last month, and this month seems to be with water.

Happy September All!

Thanks to Natalie for hosting the monthly wrap up!

August 2026 Highlights – Natalie the Explorer

10 responses to “August had everything.”

  1. What a beautifully lived month, Ganga ji! 💛 I can feel the fullness of it—the rain that forced cozy family time (and spicy chilly bhaji—yum!), the surprise Louis & Clark connection in WV, the rainbow bridge moment at Niagara even from afar, and those routine trails that somehow never feel routine when you’re paying attention.

    Your line “It was hot, it was rainy, it was perfect, it was busy and it was not so busy” is basically the mantra of August. And the masala toast Thursdays? What a sweet ritual—your son is lucky to have that documented with love.

    The bee on marigold photo sounds like summer’s last kiss. And your prayers for the flood zones—Himalayas and Grand Canyon—show how your heart stretches across the world even while you’re savoring local streams.

    Happy September to you too! May it bring more swings, less rain-forced Netflix (or maybe just the right amount), and trails that surprise you. 🙏🌿

    (And yes, monthly wraps hit different—they’re like hugging the month goodbye.)

    1. Yes a big good hug to August and welcoming September with two wide hamds 🙂!

  2. Such a lovely August wrap-up! 🤍So many little moments, family time, food and adventures. Wishing you a beautiful September too! 🌸🦋✨

    1. Thanks 🥰!

  3. Looks like an eventful fall, Ganga! Your family was only 2 hours from me at the Falls! 😊 Enjoy September. I can’t believe back to school is around the corner!

    1. Yes they were! We opened schools almost 3 weeks before Labor Day! Kids are going to school in summer clothes without jackets and it looks odd when I see them waiting in bus stops!

      1. I’m glad our summer breaks here take place in July to August, so kids can soak up the summer weather!

        I dread the cooler fall and winter weather and shorter days!

  4. It seems like a wonderful August and Mother Nature is kind but sometimes bad things happen like in Nepal and the Grand Canyon. I pray for those people who were injured or killed too. August we also lost Dolly💔. And August ended with no water. Thank you Uma and Lakshmi for bring me water bottles.

    1. Yes Kim, it was a tough last day of August! Hopefully we would atleast be notified if they shut our water ! 💕

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