With wide expanses of cold temps around the country right now, many of you are probably experiencing the winter “hum-drums” and hibernating inside as much as possible. So I thought for this month’s color story I would share this little piece of paradise in the hopes that it may brighten up these chilly winter days. And being February, the romantic sunset and resulting sweet colors seemed only fitting.

In December I traveled to the tropical paradise Costa Rica, where this photo was taken on the warm and relaxing Playa Dominical. My close friend, Tommi, is studying International Sustainable Tourism- a very specific degree that will regularly take her to incredible destinations across the world. So naturally, I decided to take advantage of her travels and visit her as she finished up her Masters at an agricultural university there. We zip-lined through rainforests and admired breathtaking views of the active Arenal Volcano. And, of course, we took to the beaches where, via a surfing lesson, I came to the conclusion that I wasn’t born to live in the water… but I was born to watch incredible sunsets like these!

Now I have to give credit where credit is due – Tommi was the one who actually snapped this particular photo. But we didn’t use any filters or edit this in Photoshop. This is a glimpse at true, natural beauty that only God can provide. I hope to return to Costa Rica someday, but for now it’s off to other adventures. Stay tuned for a very green palette after I return from visiting Tommi once again, this time while she completes field work in Ireland!

If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you travel to escape the winter “hum-drums?” Share your ideal escape destination in a comment below or on our Facebook timeline.