This is an image I played with for the Destination challenge last year. Just started jacking with layers and a bit of distortion (thanks to Joey Lawrence reminding me of that filter).
Since I don't know what this image looked like without the blur, I don't know what changed. I think it could be great without the blur too. I love the composition of this, the balance and play of light and dark. Think the initial image was very well taken and the editing could go many different ways including what you chose.
"Dreamy" is an understatement! I tend to shy away from the heavy manipulations, as they often seem to "try to hard" ~ you know? But this one really reaches a point for me. It is dreamy and ethereal and works really well for me. It's just gorgeous. And makes me want to float across I-10 in Texas!