Favorite Place
What place that you've already visited at least once would you place at the top of your list? What place is your favorite place? Where would you go to lose yourself or find yourself? Where would you go to relax or refocus? Where would you go to be inspired and grounded at the same time? Is there such a place where one can do all these things at once? It seems impossible to choose a single place as your favorite. As I show a snippet of mine below, I think of the other places near the top of "the list". Glacier National Park is as pretty a place as I've been to. The Grand Canyon has always been a special place to us because of our many backpacking trips there and the fact that is where our wedding took place. The Badlands of South Dakota and the Redwoods of northern California are pretty tough to beat. The Boundary Waters of Minnesota and Canada hold a special place in my heart. Our recent journey to the Napali Coast was unbelievable in beauty and serenity. The deciduous woods and undulating soybean fields of southern Indiana are always going to standout in my mind as special. But if I had to choose one place, I'd choose an area that encompasses a myriad of special places---southern Utah. Southern Utah would be my choice. My choice includes such places as the national parks of Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches. It includes wild places like Dark Canyon and Cataract Canyon. It contains the alpine areas of the La Sals, Abajos, and Henry mountains, as well as scorching hot lowlands such as the areas around the rivers like the Colorado, the Green, and the San Juan. Southern Utah is where I could hole up as a hermit or wander as a vagabond and be happier than at any place I've ever been to. What about you? What is your favorite place?
This is part of Chesler Park in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.
"One of the most sacred geographical spots on earth," once stated river runner Joe Molica. He was talking about the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers, which is the beginning of Cataract Canyon.
A southern Utah sunrise near Elephant Canyon looking out toward the La Sal Mountains. The world would be a better place if everyone could experience the colorful serenity of southern Utah.
This is part of Chesler Park in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.
"One of the most sacred geographical spots on earth," once stated river runner Joe Molica. He was talking about the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers, which is the beginning of Cataract Canyon.
A southern Utah sunrise near Elephant Canyon looking out toward the La Sal Mountains. The world would be a better place if everyone could experience the colorful serenity of southern Utah.
4 Comments:
While I hope to one day see Utah in all its splendor,my favorite place has to be White Sands. Over the years I've enjoyed many great outdoor experiences in and around it. When I needed to be alone with my thoughts it provided solitude and serenity without great travel. And it sickens me that I cannot visit as I once could. But, that just might be the truest test of one's favorite place, an internal ache when you're absent from it.
By Anonymous, at 6:51 PM
As for me Jess, I would have to say the slickrock formations behind Many Farms High School. At least this is the place my mind hearkens back to the most often; very often. Walking on the rocks, learning to climb, getting lost, you getting lost, hearing chants, real and/or imagined, Rocky chasing cows for hours on end only to run to the truck when I honked the horn. Watching Rocky sniff out lizards under the brush. Watching the clouds float over Round Rock, et al. This was my haven for quite some time. I dearly love this place. These days, my place has become Ted and Pat Jones Confluence State Park. Yes a state park. It contains the exact point where the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers converge. To me, that is an amazing thing. I walk away from any other visitors and tramp along, usually along the Missouri, looking for rock bars allowing me access far into the mighty river. TO find solitude and serenity in the proximity of so many, that, to me is a good mark of a special place. Best wishes Jesse aned Tracy! Doug
By Anonymous, at 5:08 PM
Jesse, your post makes me thirsty. Even the photo with the confluence of rivers looks somehow parched.
Myself, I'd say that my favorite piece of country is either just west of Denver in the Colorado Rockies or Between Walnut Grove and Koleen. There are weirder places up that little creek than most people ever imagine.
All in all, I'm definatly a tree guy. I like wondering around in forests, walking, skiing, riding, paddling however. I love a forest.
I think the southwest is beautiful, but its just so brutal and open.
I've been lurking a bit here ever since Trav cued me in. Its good to see the way you're living.
Rich
By Anonymous, at 8:14 PM
Jesse, I'm totally with you on this one. Southern Utah gives me goosebumps. I was just reading about Dark Canyon today and wishing Jan and I had seen it.
John
By John, at 9:49 AM
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