August 20th, 2009
Some people don't like the desert- they find it lacking in life and overly monotonous. But the desert is good for at least one thing, and that's to be quiet with yourself. Upon arrival in Joshua Tree the thing I found most startling was the quiet. The Joshua Trees don't blow in the wind so there's no sound of that, there no grass to rustle, no cars of course, nothing to make a sound other than your own feet tramping through the sand.
I wanted to take some photos that would show that quietness and the stillness of the desert.
The heat is overwhelming but surprisingly the shade provided some comfort. I lay back on a large rock and cooled myself like a lizard. I promptly fell asleep only to awaken to a chipmunk rooting around in my bbq pit and incessant flies buzzing around me for water. It was annoying but too much effort was required to shoo them away. I found that if I quieted my mind, they went away on their own.
I took many photos of the solitary Joshua Trees scattered about, against the blue sky. They are characteristically asymmetrical, misshapen, and somehow beautiful. Riding my bike around, I had time to come to two conclusions. The first is that everybody needs a day job (even me) and that I should make that day job be in education. The outdoors, sports, cycling, adventure, writing and art will just have to be side pursuits.
At least I am able to go away, come back, think and re-think and try always harder to be happy, enjoy life. Whatever happens, there isn't anything other than this.
No comments:
Post a Comment