August 12, 2006
I’m parked/camped in Kaibab National Forest, about 40 miles from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I don’t think I’m going to go there. I hiked down 33 years ago and I’m still cherishing those memories. Also I’ve seen so much astounding beauty already. My favorite spot might be the smallest, Cedar Breaks, a beautiful place to just be without to much to see and do. Grand Staircase-Escalante is so big it has to be visited more than once. It would be wonderful to see Southern Utah in other seasons too.
Right now I’m sitting alone in the forest. Curly is at my feet. It is chilly for the first time in weeks and I’m inside. I can see nothing but forest on all sides. The quiet has been rejuvenating. People often assume my job is quiet. Rarely. I’m the only librarian in a school of 2500 students and over 100 faculty. The worries and needs of 2500 teenagers will be more in perspective when I remember Watchman’s Tower, Bryce Canyon, the entire Colorado Plateau at my feet. Did you know you can have a plateau (Aquarius) on another plateau (Colorado)?
I haven’t really been lonely, bored occasionally.
When people ask me how my summer was, my answer will be “wonderful”. From Edward Abbey’s suggestion, in the true sense of the word, full of wonder.