Clark County, Idaho sunrise
As the weather warms up I admit that I’m itching to hit the road to go camping, to get away from the city, the news and to immerse myself in natural surroundings. I start to dream of quiet mornings where all I can hear are the sounds of wakening birds, the songs of coyotes, the trumpeting of Sandhill Cranes or the breeze blowing through the trees, grasses or the sagebrush sea. To watch the sun rise over mountains, meadow, grasslands, desert or a lake. To feel the chill of mornings that have the promise of a warmer days ahead and amazing views of the country. To watch the sunset and the stars start to glow in the darkened sky.
Looking down at all the switchbacks on Burr Trail, Wayne County, Utah
I was an Army brat and spent most of my childhood traipsing all over this country and Europe too. It felt completely normal to pull up my roots to move every few years and start all over in a new place and to explore my new environs. I went to eighteen different schools before I finished high school and my last three years of high school were spent at one school. Traveling like a nomadic gypsy was and still is in my blood.
For me, camping now is a continuation of those explorations but it is now much deeper than that for me because of my passion for bird photography, nature and my wholehearted love of our public lands.
Fluffy clouds over Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
One never knows what is around the corner when you are traveling in our public lands. Even if you have been there before it can be wildly different.
Different view of Red Rock Creek, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Beaverhead County, Montana
You can have different weather, see different birds or find a new location that may have been missed before. A new canyon, creek, flower or a lifer bird. Or revisit a familiar view that makes you feel “at home”.
Life is good. I am blessed.
Mia
Gorgeous images! I’m thinking Bears Ears over the spring break (my wife teaches USU).
P.S. Change in plan; driving SW to Las Vegas with wife’s parents for some fun.
Soon…
Just checked the comments…noticed that my words got screwed once again…this evil iPad really does hate me!!!
Now is the best time to head to Utah’s canyon lands.
Oh, Mia!!! You gig my gravel itch going, too! One of the many names I’vd been called, is “Detour”–for good reason. The itch never goes away! The more I traveled, the more I wanted/neede to!!! These are wonderful shots…would to see these places for myself!!!
Oh, promises of things to come . Your photos start me thinking of the great outdoors and the birds to be seen, the smells of spruce,pine and willow especially with free entry to Canada’s National Parks this year.Hmmmm maybe that will be a bit noisy on the human side.Still, will make the trips and will get out today on a walk to see listen and smell.
Love Capitol Reef park! Although it was hot as blazes when we visited, the isolation and quiet was almost surreal once on the trail. Watching the colors change as the sun rose while the moon dipped early in the morning was absolutely beautiful. Hope you enjoy your trip.