the land of time

We count amongst the millions of visitors to the National Parks here.  We’ve seen countless canyons, walked many trails, took hundreds of photographs of a panorama that seems unchanged, fixed in time.

But it is not unchanged.  In its own sweet time, which in geologic terms means hundreds of millions of years, canyon country that is layer upon layer of sand and mud and lava and relics of ancient habitants have been sculpted and carved by persistent subtle forces like water and wind.

Lake Powell is the surreal oasis in the desert, with its boats and jet skis.

Watching the sunset is obviously one of our favorite activities.

In the town of Page, near Lake Powell, we visit Antelope Canyon.  We drive through desert sand for 15 minutes.  In the open jeep, the hot sun bears down on us and sand seem to infiltrate even our very pores.  But the artistry of the forces of wind and water that sculpts Antelope Canyon is unmatched by any human work of art.  Our photos don't do them justice.

The Colorado River hard at work carving canyons.

Horseshoe Bend near Page.

Its the stuff of cowboys and Westerns, John Wayne and Clint Eastwood.  Here is the location,  the iconic Monument Valley; its landscape familiar but even more dramatic in real life.

Not on horses but a bumpy ride all the same.

An arch at Monument Valley, aptly named Ear of the Wind.

We regard the land with awe.  We feel small and insignificant in the big scheme of things.  We feel young, so very young... in geologic terms that is.