It is cliche to say that a walk through the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon in Utah makes one feel as if they had landed on another planet. There are few other-worldly experiences here on earth more incredible than hiking through the orange sandstone structures that time, and the hand of God, has crafted. It is but a taste of heaven here on earth.
Cities obscure the glory of the world all around us and turn men inward to focus on themselves. Only in nature, can we look outward and get a glimpse of God’s handiwork, which is our playground and medicine for our souls.
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” ~ John Muir
“I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.” ~ George Washington Carver
It is one of the most beautiful and indescribable places I’ve ever been; that I’ve ever seen in real life. Photos never did it justice. The Wave, part of Coyote Buttes North, in Arizona, is a place that you cannot fully explain to people.
What follows is a photo essay of sorts; different images that help convey my experience that day in July.
At midday the storm clouds rolled past giving the landscape an ominous, other-worldly feel.
In the afternoon, sunshine and blue sky pushed the dark clouds away.
The symmetry and design appear as a painting from the Master’s brush.
Every bend and every curve defies explanation.
There is no trail to get there. Landscape markers are the only thing to guide you. It is discretely hidden in the oranges and reds of the Arizona desert.
Crossing through sand, and walking up and down various sandstone formations, I realized why this place had such a strong pull, and permits prized and coveted by those with knowledge of The Wave.
The illusion of lines and curves made every vantage point and angle interesting.
This hike should be atop every hikers bucket list.
Face the storms…
…they will always pass.
Delicate Arch
Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, Utah, is one of the most incredible naturally occurring phenomenon in the world. One cannot help but stare at it endlessly and wonder what it took for this rock formation to occur. Countless years of wind and rain have pounded against the orange sandstone to form this amazing natural structure; a reminder that adversity in hard times creates those things that can stand strong.
Lake George, Mammoth Lakes, California
Sometimes you have moments that are perfect. It was quiet. It was still. And the reflection was so perfect it didn’t seem real. These are the moments one should pursue. Not the fleeting, mundane, or vacuous moments that most pursue that give but temporary gratification.
Joffre Lake, British Columbia
Until you see the colour of the water for yourself it’s hard to believe such lakes exist. The water from the glacial run-off is this other-worldly turquoise that leaves you in awe in the context of its surroundings.
Half Dome and Yosemite Valley
I climbed/hiked up Half Dome in 2011 with my brother; still one of the highlights of my life. It is one of the most iconic natural wonders in America and awe-inspiring every time I’ve seen it since.
The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah
There are few hikes more interesting, more accessible, and more breathtakingly beautiful than The Narrows in Zion National Park, Utah. It is a long walk up and down a river that has carved through a canyon over the millennia. It is wide in some spots and narrow in others with walls on either side rising to the skies. It is pure testament to the power and beauty of nature. One cannot help but feel both exhilarated and overwhelmed by the grandeur of the canyon.
Angels Landing, Zion National Park, Utah
Angels Landing in Zion is my favourite place of anywhere I’ve ever been. I’ve done the hike 4 times to date and plan to do it many more times before I’m unable to navigate its steepness. It is a 4 mile hike up the spine of a rock structure that gives you an unrivalled view of Zion Canyon. It is narrow in spots and not for the feint of heart but the reward at the top more than makes up for those anxious moments.
This place is special to me for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the representation of the various forms of freedom we experience as humans. I suppose the closer we get to Zion (heaven) the freer we feel.
Horseshoe Bend, Page, Arizona
This photo was taken on my second trip to Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona in 2016. Clouds and lighting change the look of the area with its mineral-rich coloured rock and dark water. It is a breathtaking vista at any time of day as one looks out over this picturesque bend in the Colorado River.
It’s a 1,000 foot drop down to the river and many tourists venture perilously close to the edge. It’s an easy walk from the parking lot and an absolute must-see when in the area.