Frank Turner is one of my favorite musicians. He has been touring the world creating inspiring music for over a decade, and on Friday, May 4th he will be releasing his new album, Be More Kind, into the world! I will be revisiting the interview I did with him on Halloween 2016 to celebrate and anticipate this release. I’ll be posting clips every couple of days highlighting some of my favorite parts of the interview. If you are already a fan then enjoy the clips while we eagerly await the new music, and if you’re not a fan yet this is the perfect time to check out his music and get tickets for the World Tour!
This clip focuses on how Frank Turner first realized touring life was something that was in his blood and what he learned being on the road:
You can see the full interview at this link, and I will be posting more clips until the release of the new album, Be More Kind, on May 4th! Pre-order it here.
Being on the road for an extended period of time is fantastic and freeing, and it isn’t always cheap. But it can be! There are some things you can’t avoid like gas (until I get that Tesla…) so it’s great to find ways to save money elsewhere. If you’re not too high-maintenance you can save a ton of money by sleeping nearly free every night of the week. Keep in mind this is based mostly on U.S. travel.
FreeCampsites.net
I check this site almost every day while I’m on the road. It has a great map layout that allows you to see each campsite with a colored pin. One is for free, one is for permits, and one is for cheap (meaning under $12.) I’ve used this site constantly since I found it years ago, and I’ve stayed in some amazingly beautiful places thanks to it. It’s a user-based site so if you find something put it on there! And leave comments if a site is great or bad or exactly as advertised! It really does help. I always read the comments before I go somewhere. Some BLM roads are for 4×4 vehicles only so you don’t want to get stuck there, and sometimes land ownership or rules change. Some places only allow car sleeping or RVs, but many are open to tents as well. Check it out. You won’t be disappointed. www.freecampsites.net
Sleep in Your Car
Sleeping in your car conjures images of someone with the seat reclined, uncomfortably tangling their legs around the steering wheel while putting a permanent kink in their neck. It doesn’t have to be that way! If possible, take a car you can sleep in the back of. A small SUV or hatchback with back seats you can lower will do. I sleep in the back of my CR-V with a sleeping pad and pillows lying down flat at 6’4″ tall. I’ve done the same in the back of a Ford Focus hatchback in Australia that I rented! If you have an RV or camper van that’s even better! If you’re stuck in a passenger vehicle and you’re alone I highly recommend sleeping in the passenger seat to avoid that pesky wheel.
As simple as it seems, sleeping in your car can save a ton and make finding a place to park overnight very easy. Whether it’s a rest stop or a Wal-Mart you can almost always find a place to sleep in the car for a few winks. Many Wal-Marts have encouraged RVs and travelers in cars to sleep in their 24-hour store parking lots for safety (and of course assuming you’ll probably come in and buy something.) Having a bathroom easily accessible is great as well. It’s always nice having a sink to brush your teeth and freshen up in the morning. You can use this site to find out which Wal-Marts allow overnight parking or refer to the site above or Google Maps to find rest areas.
Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing.org is a wonderful community of people who offer their spare beds, couches, or floors to travels around the world. It’s an amazing way to meet people wherever you go. I’ve stayed with people all over the US, Canada, and Australia, and I still keep in touch with a bunch of them. Some have become great friends that I still visit when I travel.
Some people have expressed their reticence to stay with strangers, which I can understand, but I have found nothing but good people out there. The site utilizes a review system that allows surfers and hosts to review each other, so if anyone is out of line it will be noted. The site allows for open communication before you make definite plans with anyone, so you can chat and even meet up in a public place ahead of time to see if you’re a good fit. Women can request that only women stay with them which can help with feeling safe for some. The community is thriving and hosts often love showing you around their city and going out to hike, explore, or get a drink with their guests. I’d say give it a try if you’re at all curious! Try hosting first as a way to learn about the lifestyle and give back!
Cheap Hotels
Sometimes you just need a hotel. Having a real bed and, almost more importantly, a shower is just necessary once in a while. Google Maps has integrated a great search function for hotels that will let you know the prices for all the hotels in an area and you can filter for prices and hotel ratings. I’ve stayed in hotels for as little as $29. You might not think a $29 hotel would be nice, but they’re honestly usually just fine. I read some of the comments, but they all have negative reviews even if you look at the pricy places, so just take that with a grain of salt. I sometimes ask the clerk to let me see the room I’ll be getting before I commit. Just last week I stayed at a Motel 6 in El Paso that was $45, and it was one of the best hotels I’ve stayed it. It was clean, comfortable, good wi-fi, good location, and great staff. If you’re traveling with someone splitting a cheap hotel is less expensive than a KOA campground sometimes.
Get Creative!
There are obviously other ways to sleep cheap, but I won’t go into detail on them all. Stay with friends if you know people where you’re traveling! It’s great to spend time with people you don’t get to see as much. As with couchsurfing, try to be a good host, take them out for dinner or drinks, and don’t overstay your welcome. Stay at small campgrounds if you see them. AirBnB is a thing that I have never used, but I know it’s a great resource. String up your hammock and have a nice nap somewhere if you don’t get a perfect night’s sleep. Napping is a great luxury of being on the road! Just use your imagination and take any opportunities you get!
Sand Dunes National Park is a surprising place. First of all, many people don’t even know it exists. It’s a very small park and was given national park status in the early 2000s. Most people don’t think of Colorado when they think of sand dunes, but tucked just south of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are towering waves of sand that shift with the wind and left me in awe. I had been to the park once before several years ago, so I had an idea what to expect. Even so, this park deserves more than one visit. You get a great view of the dunes on the drive in, but to truly experience them you have to get out there and feel the sand.
Just beyond the visitor center is the turnoff to a parking lot that leads directly to the dunes. As you pass Medano Creek the great expanse of sand lies before you. It is flat for some time as you approach the imposing formations ahead, and the wind has probably already shown you it means business. If I can offer one piece of advice before you visit this park: be prepared for the wind. Wear long sleeves and pants, bring a hat, sunglasses or safety glasses, and a buff or bandana to put over your face. You will thank me. I learned the hard way with a grain of sand in my eye for several days worrying it would never come out. Plus you’ll look cool like I did.
You will soon realize that there are no proper trails here as the shifting sands cover up footprints almost as quickly as they are made. It is tempting to follow the herd to the closer dune peak, but I say it’s better to wander off on your own. Follow the lines in the sand that call to you. There is so much to explore. Just take a look behind you at the hills to find a nice landmark to follow back. I found the highest point I could and set my sights on that. Consequently I was led away from any other people which was just fine with me!
Climbing sand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s not easy, but you will figure out the best methods quickly. First, you should follow the crests of the dunes as these areas are somewhat flatter and hold your weight better. Look for the flatter areas in general to keep from sinking in too much. Place your feet flat on the ground as your walk instead of digging your heels or toes in. More surface area means less sinking. When you have to climb steeper sections, don’t be afraid to use your hands and walk like an animal! It helps! Sometimes stepping quickly really makes a difference too. As you step on steep areas you sink in and start to slide back. Moving quickly can slightly mitigate that issue. Lastly, don’t be afraid to take a break! Don’t wear yourself out too quickly. Stop and enjoy the incredible scenery!
Once cresting one of the bigger hills the wind was whipping like nothing I’d ever experienced. It felt like I could lean in and not fall down. Here I was happy I brought a windbreaker because it got chilly fast. The views from the top of the ridge were unbelievable. The sunlight danced on the blowing sand as it blew forcefully off the tip of the ridge, floating over the shadow on the opposite side. I followed the crest of this massive dune to the highest point and let the wind hold me while I marveled at the Sangre de Cristo mountains rising out of the rolling landscape. I watched another man taking in the majesty as well as he lay and rolled shirtless in the sand, enjoying every moment to the fullest.
Coming down the dunes is much easier as you can let gravity do the work for you. If you fall down it will be soft! Just follow that landmark back to the parking lot and dump the sand out of your shoes! There are other trails to explore leading into the mountains where you can get totally different views of the dunes. I’m already excited about visiting again to experience sunrise and sunset as well as seeing how the landscape has changed. National parks always preserve unique places, but I think this one will surprise you more than most!
I don’t typically do book reviews, but the book I just read is relevant to travel, so why not? My reading habits ebb and flow, but when I get excited about a book it makes me want to read all the time. I just tend to have trouble finding my next book after reading something I love. It seems like something there should be an untranslatable Japanese word for. When I travel I really enjoy taking time off by stringing up the hammock and relaxing to read in a beautiful place.
Before I get into my book review I want to talk about where I got the book itself. The Salt Lake City Library has become one of my favorite places in the city. It’s a beautiful 4-story glass-facade building with with curving walls, a large fountain in the courtyard, and a spiraling stairway jutting out from the main stacks over the atrium. Every detail seems to be well-considered. From the arching benches whose shadows looks like open books in the morning sunlight to the clever bike racks that spell out READ and BIKE. Each visit makes me smile just looking around.
Aside from the architecture the library is fully stocked with tons of great book and resources to boot. The Creative Lab has a 3D Printer, sewing machines, and a soundproof recording booth! I actually recorded my first podcast there (stay tuned for more details on that.) They provide classes and access to all of these wonderful amenities for anyone with or without a library card. They even have an art gallery downstairs featuring local artists, a movie theater with free educational and topical films, and when it’s warm they host sunrise yoga on the roof!
The list certainly goes on, but I will end my gushing there except to comment on the wonderful and helpful staff. I’ve had nothing but good experiences with them, and that leads me to this book. When asking for suggestions on “dark humor” books I picked the right person to ask. While I was directed to several books I had read or at least knew about, the one I knew nothing of was Carsick by John Waters. My bibliophile guide was so excited about her recommendation I felt like I had to give it a shot.
Like many of the fictional and non-fictional characters in his book, I am unfamiliar with the work of John Waters. I have heard of several of the movies he’s made, but otherwise I come in with no prior knowledge of his style. The basis of the book is John Waters, film director and writer, will hitchhike across the US from Baltimore to San Francisco, but first he will write two short stories imagining the best- and worst-case scenarios for this trip.
It took me some time to get into this book, starting with the “Good Ride” novella. I enjoyed his storytelling and sense of humor immediately. His idea of an ideal trip was catching the first car that passed him each time he stuck his thumb out, meeting fans of his work that promise to finance future films for him, and at least a few sexual encounters with men he meets along the way. His bad version of the trip is quite the opposite, finding no help from his fan base but instead finding people who think he is making fun of them with his films. There are terrible drivers, serial killers, and yet he rarely waits for a ride.
Once getting through the fictional rides we finally arrive at the real thing. Much as you’d expect, reality is rarely as good or as bad as the things one might conjure in their mind. To quote the book, “Reality is never as exciting as fiction.” Waters’ real ride is slightly less entertaining than meeting movie stars or killers on the interstate, but it’s not without its surprises. He deals with good and bad fortune along the way, but overall his real trip trends to the very good side. His worst complaints are long waits in the rain or sun (long being several hours) and bad motel breakfasts. This section is where he lost me.
While he never stated explicitly that he wouldn’t exploit his fame for help on this trip I felt it was somewhat implied that to write a book about hitchhiking he might at least try not to flaunt it. What I found in the “Real Ride” section was that he was often pulling out his “fame kit,” which includes his photo and film credits to prove he’s not a vagrant all the time. He used this at least twice to get out of trouble with the police, and more than a few of his rides pass him before turning around because “Is that John Waters?!” This whole thing feels a bit false to me. I guess it’s really my fault for having this expectation going in. It wasn’t billed as a portrait of true hitchhiking but an experiment for John Waters to try hitchhiking across the country. His fictional sections relied heavily on his celebrity for one reason or another so no reason to expect this section not to, I suppose. Even his assistant, Susan, mused in the last lines of the book, “If it was my unknown ass I’d still be hitching in West Virginia.”
My critiques aside, I did really enjoy the book. It was a fun and interesting read from beginning to end. It made me think back to my few experiences with hitchhiking. I’ve been on both sides of it. While section hiking the Appalachian Trail I had to catch a few rides to trailheads and into towns. Everyone I met was extremely friendly and helpful to stinky hikers getting in their car. The area in Virginia around the AT is famous with hikers for trail towns and locals picking them up. The mutual benefits are without question. On the other side of the coin I have picked up several hitchhikers while traveling, mostly in the northwest around the Pacific Crest Trail. Again, I only had good experiences and met some great people.
This has been my overall finding with so many things people consider potentially dangerous or sketchy; couch surfing, traveling alone, talking with strangers. This book made me long for the road and the excitement of not knowing where the next day might take you or who you might meet. I’m not so sure I want to hitchhike across the country, but I do want to pick some people up again. I especially enjoy talking to hikers in the middle of long treks. I’ll be taking several trips over the next few months, and I plan to pick up some hitchers if I see them! I’ll choose wisely, of course.
So go find some adventure, or at least go to the library!
Utah’s National Parks were the first thing I experienced in this state, and they remain one of my favorite things about living here. Last weekend we made the short drive from Salt Lake City to Zion National Park to take advantage of the unusually warm winter we are having. It was so warm that we camped on our first night there. In February. It was chilly but nothing we couldn’t handle.
The next morning I was up for sunrise in shorts next to the Virgin River along the Pa’Rus trail shooting reflections and waiting for the sun to peek out from behind the clouds. The clouds weren’t cooperating so I got what I could before heading out. Driving up the park road was a new experience for me since I’ve only been in this park during the warmer months when the road is only open for shuttle traffic. We got to the Weeping Rock trailhead for Observation Point early enough to snag one of the dozen parking spots.
The trail was quiet and empty as we quickly ascended the switchbacks out of the valley. The four-mile hike is challenging but offers amazing vistas as you walk along the exposed edges dropping off sharply into the canyon. Just when you think you’ve made progress you pass a sign saying there’s two miles to go. There is some reprieve after hiking another mile of steep trail when you reach a plateau with gently rolling, rocky sections until you arrive at the official overlook.
Observation Point offers a view that rivals that of Angels Landing. You are looking straight down on that more famous overlook and on through the canyon. There are almost always people up here as well, but it never gets as crowded or as congested as the single-file climb that dominates the last half-mile of Angels Landing. There are plenty of places to sit and rest and even get some shade if you desire. We met some great people from Zion Resort on their daily exercise hike. After their workout one of the instructors, Eddie, played soothing music on glass bowls he carried to the top. They were all very friendly, excited, and open to letting us join in.
Before descending all the way there is another trail that takes you over a small ridge and through some narrow rock walls to Hidden Canyon. Yes, there’s a sign for it, so it’s hidden only to those who choose to ignore it. This short hike is well worth it as you climb up rock steps and along a steep edge with chains to help calm your nerves and steady your footfalls. After you get into the canyon proper the trail is what you make it. There are several sections where you need to scramble over rockfalls and large boulders to continue on. The light reflects beautifully off the walls and enhances the rich colors of the rock. There is even an exposed arch formation shortly before the end of the “official” trail. The hike ends unceremoniously with a sign next to a boulder. You can continue on, but there really isn’t much more to see from what I could tell.
After the 10+ miles of hiking on those trails it’s hard to muster up much energy for more hiking. We also found that we were no longer alone in the parking lot as we saw cars lining the main road. The parking situation at The Grotto was even worse, so we decided to see ourselves out of the park for the day. We drove through Springdale and stopped at the Grafton Ghost Town just for something to do. It was an interesting little piece of history with some well-preserved building, a schoolhouse, and a cemetery. There isn’t much to do aside from walk around and look in some windows, but it was fun. The wind was picking up considerably and getting cold so we decided to call it an early day and got a hotel in Hurricane just down the road for the night.
After a great night of rest with the wind whipping outside all night we made our way back to Zion and set up my tripod along the river just in time to catch the morning sun hitting the tops of the rocks. It helped that I scouted it out yesterday and knew exactly how I wanted to frame my shot. I’m pretty happy with what I got. Sunrise can be tricky, but you have to keep coming back until you get what you want. As I learn repeatedly, you also need to work with what you get. It’s so much more rewarding to get something you didn’t expect than to go in with specific expectations and leave disappointed.
Once I got my shots we headed right for The Grotto and hit the trail for Angels Landing. By the time we had ascended just a bit above the river we could see groups of people lining the trail below. Getting an early start here is a must, especially on a weekend. This trail is much shorter than Observation Point, but the views along the way are equally captivating. Along with canyon overlooks it offers views of winding slots filled with water, huge overhanging red rock, and a wonderfully winding section of 21 switchbacks called Walters Wiggles. Once you get past that you get a little break at Scout Lookout before starting the best section.
The last half-mile of this trail is what everyone comes for. Climbing up the “hog’s back” and over the saddle is either exhilarating or terrifying depending on your desire for sheer drop-offs and small footholds. There are chains guiding you for most of the more dangerous places, and I highly recommend using them. Less than a week earlier a teenage girl fell to her death from this section. Always be aware of your skill level, and never take unnecessary risks in places like this. The chains were uncharacteristically empty for almost our whole hike up–rewards of starting early. The hike is tough and rewarding as you crest the last section and emerge atop the formation named by some of the first to see it because “only an angel could land there.” Looking up the canyon is breathtaking to say the least, watching the Virgin river continue to carve into the landscape and looking down on tiny cars coming up the road you started at. You can carefully explore the top before descending, but be prepared to wait and move aside for people making their way up those chains.
Before leaving, we did the short hike to the mouth of the famous Narrows, watching more people than we expected step into the water with waterproof waders and big sticks they rented from an outfitter. We also checked out the Canyon Overlook trail outside the west tunnel entrance since I had never done it before. It was a nice little hike, but after seeing some of the crown jewels up close it was hard to enjoy it quite as much. There’s no shortage of things to do in this area, and as soon as it gets a little warmer we have plans to come back and keep exploring.
In November of 2008 my friend Nathan and I drove across the country from New Jersey to Los Angeles. We made very few stops along the way, but one of those stops was at Arches National Park. Arches was my first introduction to what I think of as National Parks in the U.S. Sure, I had been to a few places on the east coast like Shenandoah and Valley Forge, but they didn’t resonate with me the same way. At that point my travel plans were usually focused on cities and historical sites–being from Philly will do that to you. But once I saw Arches my mind was blown wide open to the natural wonders that existed in my proverbial back yard.
Navajo Arch
Since that fateful trip I have been back to Arches at least a dozen times. While I’ve explored the rest of the country and discovered so many amazing National Parks, mountains, and natural areas this one will always hold a special place for me. It’s a relatively small park (120 square miles compared to nearby Canyonlands’ 849 square miles,) but it packs a lot into that space. Most of the trails can be hiked in a day or at least in a weekend. There’s no need to rush, and the best part about some of the trails is the solitude you get on even a busy weekend. Now that I’m spending my first full year in Utah I’ve found that the best time to go is winter.
Sunrise from The Windows
This past weekend Becca and I decided we wanted to go to Moab to get away from the city and enjoy the beautiful weather. It’s late January and the temperatures were forecasted to be in the 50s. We drove down Friday and got a motel so we could be up bright and early for the sunrise Saturday–dark and early actually. We drove into the park and quickly “hiked” the short trail to the Windows, two large arches carved in the same sandstone fin. We climbed out through the north Window to a perch where we could see the formation just beyond that holds Turret Arch.
Turret Arch through North Window Arch
As we stood in the chillier-than-expected morning hue, the sun began to rise beautifully behind the distant La Sal Mountains and over towering, snow-covered hoodoos. The first sunlight on red rock is an amazing thing to witness. The dull sandstone explodes with deep red and orange color as the light slowly washes over it. Turret Arch and its surrounding spires are perfectly framed through North Window Arch as the sun rises and begins painting the Windows with morning light as well. We were joined by another photographer here, but other than a handful of people we were remarkably alone on a Saturday at one of the most popular sections of the park for sunrise. It was incredible. And we only had to ask nicely one time for those people to step out of our frame.
Double Arch
After warming up a bit we walked across the parking area to Double Arch, a magnificent formation of intertwining arches which captures the imagination. Standing beneath the overhanging rock is humbling and awe-inspiring. The landscape in this small area is enough to satisfy anyone’s desire for natural wonder, but it is merely a taste of what this park has to offer.
Landscape Arch
Devil’s Garden marks the end of the 18-mile park road and one of the busiest sections of the park. While there is ample parking, this area often fills up completely in warmer months. When we arrived there were 5 other cars there. I could hardly believe it. The trail through Devil’s Garden is about 7 miles if you go take all of the side trails and the primitive loop. This area has the highest concentration of arches, and if you only have time for one trail this is the one.
Hiking rock fins
After just a short walk you can take a side trail to Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch, which both give you a little taste of what’s to come. Less than a mile in you arrive at the appropriately-named Landscape Arch, stretching precariously across the sky. After climbing over tall rock fins that drop off steeply on either side you can take a side trail to Partition Arch, a smaller arch with a great view of the desert behind it, and Navajo Arch, a ground arch with deep reds and blacks saturating its underside. Continuing on you climb over a tall fin that allows you a sweeping view of the park below. Red rock fins rise out of the desert like battle submarines in a crimson sea. This is my favorite view on the trail.
Double O Arch approach
After climbing down off this fin you will arrive at Double O Arch. I have been enamored with this arch since this first time I saw it. The trick is to walk right up to the lower portion and climb through to view it from the back side. I am never happier than when sitting here looking through this massive monument to the cascading rock formations behind it. Not only is this a great view, but it seems like few people find their way back there so it is often serene. It’s a great midpoint for a snack and a little rest. You can carry on from here to Dark Angel, a dramatic sandstone monolith rising out of the desert, on an out-and-back trail before continuing the loop.
Double O Arch from behind
The primitive trail begins beyond Double O Arch. This sandy wash will take you beneath, over, and beyond the fins you saw from the trail high above. There is only one side trail to Private Arch, and we were truly the only ones there for the hour we spent in that area. It’s not a standout arch like some of the others, but the solitude makes up for the lack of spectacle. You can also climb out to gorgeous views of the landscape and watch hikers high above on the fin approaching Double O. The rest of the primitive trail will take you over some of the most challenging hiking in the park, but it’s nothing most people can’t handle–a few steep drops and skirting the edge of pooled water. After some exposed desert walking with views of the La Sals you will return to the main trail back to the parking area.
Overlooking rock fins
There are multiple viewpoints and short walking trails to other arches along the park road to explore along the way, but everyone is turning down the road to Delicate Arch. It’s probably the most famous arch in the world but definitely in the state of Utah. It’s on our license plates. It is well known that sunset is the best time to see Delicate Arch in all its glory. The late-day light brings out the rich red-orange in an amazing way. The 1.5 mile hike allows most people to access it easily, though beyond the steep climb there were a few sections of precarious snow and ice this time.
Delicate Arch at sunset
The typically crowded viewing area was quite bare even for a winter day. We arrived early and expected to see the usual line of people queuing for photos underneath the famous arch, but we found none of that. Several people took their photos and then moved along. It was the calmest I have ever seen it, to the joy of all of the photographers present. As the sun dropped I found a different vantage point than I usually get and shot the arch from the side with the sun behind it, creating a lovely beam of light. The clouds lit up at sunset for a gorgeous backdrop to the scene and our hike back down.
Park Avenue stars
On the way out of the park you will pass the Park Avenue overlook. Even if you’ve seen it in the day, the night sky through this section is especially magical. It’s easy to spend a full day in this park, and it’s hard to leave. I think what stands out about this park over others for me is the ability to interact with the rocks. You can stand beneath them, on top of them, and touch them. It feels like they are communicating with you in a manner that I haven’t experienced any other place. Whether you spend an hour, a day, or a week here you will leave feeling different every time. And you will be planning your next visit as soon as you can.
After traveling and being away from Utah for some time it has been very nice to be back home. The idea of home for me has always been transient and hard to define, but for right now Salt Lake City is it. I have gotten to really appreciate the view of the Capitol Building and the mountains from our living room window, and being able to walk or bike most anywhere I want to go is something that will be hard to move away from. So, for now I’m trying to take it all in and enjoy it while I’m here, which is really what this whole project was about from the start.
When I got back to SLC last week it was in the 50s in January, so I took that opportunity to run and feel the altitude burn my lungs. I went out and made some friends on the disc golf course and took my time walking around the city from place to place. I did all of that specifically because I knew a snow storm was coming, and I wanted just a little more fall weather before it hit. And when it started snowing, it didn’t stop for 2 days.
I was lucky enough to get a job working at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City as the snow began to fall. While the drive was slow, it was beautiful and different than I had seen it before. I walked with crowds of people going to see independent films through giant snowflakes, and everyone was smiling, enjoying the ephemeral beauty of it all. When I got back into Salt Lake thin tree branches supported more snow than I thought possible, and the streetlights held flakes in their triangular yellow beams as they fell softly to the ground. I couldn’t wait to see the city the next day.
The snowfall continued, but there was no way I was staying in. Becca and I headed out early, walking up along City Creek to incredible white scenes. We had been up these paths dozens of times before, but it all felt new! Snow has the ability to completely reinvent a scene and highlight the beauty you may have missed or forgotten. The winding creek cut through the starkness of the landscape and tiny bridges reached across as we made our way up the mouth of the canyon. The falling snow limited distant visibility, but that only forced us to focus on the wonderful sights in front of us.
After some time we wrapped around to the Capitol area. It’s one of my favorite places in the city to just sit and admire the scene. The large domed building dominates the hilltop and the white lawn falls off to either side with mountains and the city skyline just below. There is no bad vantage point, which is precisely why this location was chosen for the State Capitol. Under snow, it just seems fantastical. Each of the days after the storm began I found it slightly different, yet always holding my attention. Whether it was grey skies or bright blue I can’t seem to get enough of it.
I feel genuinely privileged to be living here so close to something I can stand in awe of every day. I look forward very much to watching the seasons change around here and experiencing it first-hand in all the ways I can. There’s always something new to uncover wherever you may be, so don’t wait to go find it; explore!
