Awesome! Beautiful photos, Hank. Indeed, nothing is more healing nor humbling than time spent with Mother Nature. In her presence, our mental hard drive is wiped totally clean and time stands still. Your photos triggered an immediate flashback to my descent into the depths of Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico, over a decade ago. Talk about being "put in your place!" Whew! Face to face with the fact that the earth keeps most of her secrets to herself, and we don't know anything about ANYTHING....little hot shot humans!
And THIS! Just one more thing I love about you Hank Shaw! It is those times, rocks in the sink or washing machine, weeds on the counter, butterfly wings or a dried insect on the dining table that I at times feel embarrassed or silly - and my husband reminds me, it is those things that make you, you, and are most endearing about you! Keep up the healthy work of you Hank!
Southern Utah is not to be missed. So many of the western scenes in movies over the years have been from this area. My wife and I spent a week with friends who live in Park City and took our time going to state and federal parks. Breathtaking and beautiful!
Beautifully and accurately written.. thank you for this reminder this morning. I'm living in my own breathtaking playground- it's just making the time to get out and experience something new in it, each day.
Thank you for the reminder, Hank. Sometimes I wonder why I feel so empty (especially when I look at photos of my much younger self), sometimes I know why. You wrote to that very well!
Beautiful photos and a wonderful reminder for us to take a moment and allow the wonder back into our lives; southern Utah is indeed an awe inspiring place to do so. Happy for your healing and that you are sharing the journey with us!
Beautiful photos of a beautiful place. I've felt that at the Colton Point Lookout on PA's Grand Canyon. It's a place to sit and wonder. You can't hear anything manmade there; just birdsong and the rush of the wind. It's no wonder my aunt loved it there--it's where she wanted her ashes scattered. Dad, Mom and I did it one day in June after she died. It was a perfect day and we never felt so close to her. I still miss her and when I do, I go out to Colton Point and just look around with wonder.
So glad you got to enjoy the beauty and solitude that one of my favorite regions has to offer. Photos of Bryce and Zion line my house walls that were captured from my grandfather on the trips "out west". Living hours away and not making enough time to go often enough is the plight of adulthood. I think I will take your advice and "play with a beetle" this week.
How is it possible that one man has such huge talent? I mean not only can Hank cook like no other, his prose is thoughtful, authentic and mesmerizing. Bravo Hank Shaw!!!
Incredible photos -- very impressed that you managed to catch some of that immensity, which is so hard to do in an image. And your advice about taking time for wonder feels IMPORTANT. I think humans in general desperately need experiences of awe, which is maybe why religion, ancient monuments, and redwood forests alike never go out of fashion -- there is something really meaningful and strangely comforting about feeling yourself dwindle in comparison to vastness and enormity and the timelessness of huge old things. Maybe it's just that it puts our pains and sorrows into perspective, maybe it's that it somehow sets us free from the constraints and stresses of everyday life and lets that timeless inner kid out to frolic for a while. But it's sure good for the soul every. single. time.
Hank, you never cease to satisfy with your writings. Many years after being introduced to you by Art of Eating magazine, I am happily subscribed to your craft now. I appreciate your candor with us over recent shake up/downs. This brings us all in, closer to our humanity. Speaking to the dying of the light -Funny, but for me, You have always shared this joyful Love for Life with us, it is one of the main reasons I am drawn to your work. Your respect and wonder for it all. I thank you so dearly for your expression, and hope you thrive and continue to inspire us to do this as well.
I have spent a few summers in this area, and you have describe exactly how I feel about this place. I have taken my older son with me, and we continue to yearn for the return to this area. As he prepares himself for college, he told me that’s his dream to live in this wonderful area.
Feeling Small
Awesome! Beautiful photos, Hank. Indeed, nothing is more healing nor humbling than time spent with Mother Nature. In her presence, our mental hard drive is wiped totally clean and time stands still. Your photos triggered an immediate flashback to my descent into the depths of Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico, over a decade ago. Talk about being "put in your place!" Whew! Face to face with the fact that the earth keeps most of her secrets to herself, and we don't know anything about ANYTHING....little hot shot humans!
And THIS! Just one more thing I love about you Hank Shaw! It is those times, rocks in the sink or washing machine, weeds on the counter, butterfly wings or a dried insect on the dining table that I at times feel embarrassed or silly - and my husband reminds me, it is those things that make you, you, and are most endearing about you! Keep up the healthy work of you Hank!
Southern Utah is not to be missed. So many of the western scenes in movies over the years have been from this area. My wife and I spent a week with friends who live in Park City and took our time going to state and federal parks. Breathtaking and beautiful!
Beautifully and accurately written.. thank you for this reminder this morning. I'm living in my own breathtaking playground- it's just making the time to get out and experience something new in it, each day.
Thank you for the reminder, Hank. Sometimes I wonder why I feel so empty (especially when I look at photos of my much younger self), sometimes I know why. You wrote to that very well!
Really enjoyed this one Hank. Thanks for the reminder to find those places that allow us to feel small. Also, incredible photos
Beautiful photos and a wonderful reminder for us to take a moment and allow the wonder back into our lives; southern Utah is indeed an awe inspiring place to do so. Happy for your healing and that you are sharing the journey with us!
You just put southern Utah on our "To Do" list!
Thank you
Beautiful photos of a beautiful place. I've felt that at the Colton Point Lookout on PA's Grand Canyon. It's a place to sit and wonder. You can't hear anything manmade there; just birdsong and the rush of the wind. It's no wonder my aunt loved it there--it's where she wanted her ashes scattered. Dad, Mom and I did it one day in June after she died. It was a perfect day and we never felt so close to her. I still miss her and when I do, I go out to Colton Point and just look around with wonder.
So glad you got to enjoy the beauty and solitude that one of my favorite regions has to offer. Photos of Bryce and Zion line my house walls that were captured from my grandfather on the trips "out west". Living hours away and not making enough time to go often enough is the plight of adulthood. I think I will take your advice and "play with a beetle" this week.
How is it possible that one man has such huge talent? I mean not only can Hank cook like no other, his prose is thoughtful, authentic and mesmerizing. Bravo Hank Shaw!!!
Incredible photos -- very impressed that you managed to catch some of that immensity, which is so hard to do in an image. And your advice about taking time for wonder feels IMPORTANT. I think humans in general desperately need experiences of awe, which is maybe why religion, ancient monuments, and redwood forests alike never go out of fashion -- there is something really meaningful and strangely comforting about feeling yourself dwindle in comparison to vastness and enormity and the timelessness of huge old things. Maybe it's just that it puts our pains and sorrows into perspective, maybe it's that it somehow sets us free from the constraints and stresses of everyday life and lets that timeless inner kid out to frolic for a while. But it's sure good for the soul every. single. time.
I loved the western deserts before I ever set food in them.
Then I did set foot in them.
Bang!
Everything you just wrote, and then some.
If you think your sense of childish wonder is gone missing, visit the red rocks and sandstone canyons.
Hank, you never cease to satisfy with your writings. Many years after being introduced to you by Art of Eating magazine, I am happily subscribed to your craft now. I appreciate your candor with us over recent shake up/downs. This brings us all in, closer to our humanity. Speaking to the dying of the light -Funny, but for me, You have always shared this joyful Love for Life with us, it is one of the main reasons I am drawn to your work. Your respect and wonder for it all. I thank you so dearly for your expression, and hope you thrive and continue to inspire us to do this as well.
Beautifully written and beautiful encouragement and reminders for us all.
I have spent a few summers in this area, and you have describe exactly how I feel about this place. I have taken my older son with me, and we continue to yearn for the return to this area. As he prepares himself for college, he told me that’s his dream to live in this wonderful area.