It's been awhile, in fact, about 5500 miles. After leaving KY, we traveled through TN, AR, OK, TX, NM and AZ, up into UT then back down to NM, and finally on to CO, WY and MT. Most of our time is spent on the move. We're restless, seldom feeling the urge to stay for long. Much like a butterfly gathering nectar from colorful blooms, we flit from one state to another, gathering from each. In the same way the butterfly is energized by the nectar rich blossoms, we are similarly recharged, sending us further on our way. OK and TX impressed us with their toughness and resolve. With little moisture, the cactus sent out blooms and Indian paintbrush brightened the roadside sand.
Arizona and Utah wowed us with canyons, rocks lifted and heaved thousands of years ago, coming to rest rearranged in colorful layers too magnificent for our eyes to take in at one viewing. The Grand Canyon held our attention for several days, holding us captive to a changing color palette at dawn and dusk. From the East Rim we glimpsed the Colorado River, a fluid turquoise gem running below polychrome walls. The Southwestern colors that I've always loved, rust, mustard yellow and turquoise, gained new relevance.
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| the turquoise Colorado River |
As we watched in silence, ravens played on air currents, tucking their wings, diving out of sight only to launch upward with black wings outspread,squawking their delight and leaving us envious of such weightless freedom.
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| Mary Colter's Watchtower on the East Rim of the Grand Canyon |
Modern day travelers adorn the Canyon at sunset.
If a color were to describe the canyon lands of Utah, it would have to be red. Not the crimson red of Christmas, but the rusty red of a robin's breast. I found it particularly interesting when green pines dotted a landscape of orange red soil. We visited Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks in southwestern Utah. My vocabulary and language skills don't allow me to put into words the beauty of these canyons. They must be seen through one's own eyes and the canyon winds and unshaded sun must be felt against the skin. Despite the presence of travelers like ourselves, silence was often present. Such great beauty quieted the everyday tourist chatter over parking concerns, where and what to eat next and end of the day lodging.
It's not uncommon to see Mormons at Zion. Pioneers of the Mormon faith settled here seeking land on which to farm and graze their animals, Based on their faith, they gave the towering canyon cathedral the highest name, Zion.When driving to the park, we passed several farms and saw Mormon women working in large vegetable gardens. I was intrigued by the young girl in this photo who wears a baseball cap to protect her from the hot Utah sun.
The high altitude of Bryce Canyon (9,000 feet and above) brought us back into snow. Our dog, Fisher, delighted in the return to winter. She's a Siberian husky and currently molting which means our camper is adorn with her hair. Any chance to scratch the constant itch of this molting process, is for her a welcomed relief.
When needing gas, I often direct Bucky to a town in large bold print on the map page. In this case, the town was Kanab, UT. It had been a long hot day and we both were ready to bring it to an end. Unfortunately, the campgrounds were full. However, a stop at the local grocery, provided us not only with a roasted chicken for dinner, but information on where to camp. The check-out clerk, a young man of about 18, directed us out of town and into the hills. We had reservations about heading into a teenage party location, but with darkness approaching, we decided we had little choice. As the road narrowed and it became increasingly evident that this area was for 4 wheel drive vehicles, we questioned our decision, but remained committed, proceeding fearlessly to our resting place in the desert.
Awaking from a night of deep sleep, a result of profound tiredness, cool night air and silence, I escaped into the early morning without Fisher waking. She lay spilling from her dog bed, head lolling onto the camper floor while the rest of her remained coiled within. Her need for intense sleep mimicked my own.
Do you remember the red I spoke of earlier, robin's breast red? Well, now picture that red on steriods, a psychedelic red colliding in nature with the robin's egg blue of the southwestern sky. I was bombarded with colors so extreme I struggled to capture a fraction of its magnitude. My quick walk turned into a loss of time. I didn't want anything or anyone to remove me from the Alice in Wonderland world I had stumbled into. I even caught sight of a desert Jack rabbit as it hopped from view and it wouldn't have surprised me to see it pull out a pocket watch saying, "I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date". Song birds warbled while scrub jays squawked, hopping from limb to limb among the pines.
Before I was ready to return, I saw Bucky and Fisher advancing toward me. I was reluctant to allow them entry into the world of beauty and silence I found myself in. It occurred without effort and before I knew it, they were by my side. Fisher stuck her nose into the tracks I had so carefully stepped around and Bucky calmly inquired as to what I'd seen. What had I seen? As if removing rose colored glasses, suddenly, the sand no longer seemed so red and the blue of the sky had slightly dimmed. The morning light which had cast a unique glow over my surroundings, faded as the sun ascended. This had been a very special morning.
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| Juniper berries |
