Survival

It's hot.

I don't know if it's actually the heat or just the constant and direct sunlight that's making me as lethargic as I am. The eight hour geology lesson may have also had something to do with it.

I'm drinking lots of water (you kinda have to in the desert) and eating lots of granola bars (thank you, Chris Benson).

So far, the desert is more appealing to me in early morning and late afternoon/evening. But no matter what time of day I'm out, I'm constantly being reminded of how so many plants and animals are able to survive in this harsh environment.

For example, the Utah Juniper tree can live for hundreds of years in the desert. Hundreds of years! It will make use of the water it receives by shooting its roots deep into the cracks of rocks and crevices, collecting water that sometimes gets trapped long after rainfall. When that isn't enough, the tree will decide to "cut off" one of its limbs by restricting water flow to that limb. That branch's water valve is closed off, but the tree as a whole continues living.

It's like if you decided to cut off your arm so that you could survive. The Aron Ralston tree.

Survival.

Looking out from Grand View Point in Canyonlands National Park.

Exploring Devil's Garden

Went hiking yesterday through an area of the park called Devil's Garden, passing several different arches including Landscape and Double O Arch. Hiking at sunset is definitely the way to go right now. Cool and absolutely beautiful. Both my hikes the past two nights have resulted in me walking a couple miles back in the dark, with only the moon and my occasional headlamp to guide me. I love it.

Shortly after sunset.

Arrival at Arches

As I'm posting this, Delicate Arch stands before me. The wonders of technology (specifically the iPhone) are enabling me to update on location, since I realized today that I have no internet in my new house. Therefore, most of my updates will be coming from my phone, I feel.

I'm currently waiting for the sun to set, and from where I sit I can see several other arches off in the distance. There's also some tourist posing beneath the arch pretending to meditate. It's come to my attention that nobody is even photographing him (and yet, everybody is whether they like it or not).

I'll try to post another photo at sunset (with or without tourist Ghandi).

Almost to Arches

Tomorrow I will be arriving in Moab where I will begin getting situated at Arches National Park. Excitement and slight nervousness are running through my body - but mostly excitement. My brother and I left Georgia on Sunday morning and it's been a fun-filled and breathtaking couple of days traveling across our country.

We camped in Missouri on our first night and spent the next two nights in Colorado, where we were able to take in some sights exploring and hiking a bit.

Missouri was humid, and the nighttime noises of cicadas and other insects were almost deafening. I found it quite fascinating and was fortunate enough to fall right to sleep after I heard enough. I don't think Ben was as accepting of the ruckus.

Once we entered Colorado it began to get cooler, especially when the sun set. We intended to stargaze a little after the bright moon traveled its way across the sky, but once in our sleeping bags it was unthinkable to force ourselves out into the cold night wind (that is, for two Georgia boys under dressed in shorts and sandals). After giving in to a warm and comfortable sleep, I was fortunate enough to wake up during the middle of the night and briefly glanced up at the sky through the mesh roof of our tent; and there, during that brief moment, a bright meteor flashed across the dark sky.

I audibly said, "Whoa," then closed my eyes and fell back to sleep.

Hiking in Colorado at Eldorado Canyon State Park.

Oh, Oregon!

While on our trip to Oregon, I documented some of our daily excursions using my iPhone and an app called, 8mm. After editing and throwing in some music by Mumford & Sons ("The Cave"), you might see why I have fallen in love with this part of our country over the years.

And this video is just a taste. There is so much I did not capture with the lens of my camera, and there's even more I have yet to explore at all.

There is always more to explore.

Rejuvenation in The Beaver State

I am convinced that we breathe easier in Oregon.

Walking through lush forests and along mighty rivers, standing on the shore of the Pacific Ocean and even crossing over open farm land - I felt rejuvenated with each step. It's difficult to leave such an environment once you're given a taste of it. I think everyone should experience this part of our country at some point in their life - sooner rather than later.

One of my highlights from the trip was when my family and I hiked the Fort To Sea Trail. We had beautiful weather (though I honestly think any Oregonian weather is perfect - rain or shine), and I think part of the reason it was so memorable is because of the variety of terrain we encountered. The trail runs about 6.5 miles from Fort Clatsop to Sunset Beach, passing through forests, pastures, rivers and sand dunes. It was pretty neat to imagine ourselves as Lewis and Clark seeing the Pacific for the first time after such a long and difficult journey. Can you imagine the emotions they must have been experiencing?

The entire trip was an adventure, and even though it's nearly 100° here in humid Atlanta, my soul feels more alive and refreshed than before.