For most of us, the Wild West is a thing of the past. It must be, because even the first movies made about the West are “retro” now. Those of us who grew up in coastal cities might think it strange to happen upon a real-life cowboy, complete with spurs, hat and free spirit. We know that the American West was a defining feature of our country at some point, but we hesitate to distinguish between myth and reality. We hardly think one can ever go back.
This past week, I went back– sort of. The charming town of Moab, Utah is nothing like what Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid must have encountered, but the spirit of the West can hardly be contained by buildings. Instead, it’s in the earth. It’s in the mesas and buttes, the muddy Colorado River and dusty wind. The Wild West may refer to an era past, but its pieces remain.
Frederick Jackson Turner hailed the West as “the formation of a composite nationality for the American people” (source). Indeed, the intermingling of our European heritage and these bizarre new vistas produced something inexorably American. As a country, our past is buried here: a story that grows ever more intriguing and foreign to our technologically adept society.
I never thought of myself as someone who would be comfortable on a ranch. I grew up with few animals in the household and was accustomed to cleanliness. Dirt is not clean. And while I fancied myself a daredevil somewhere between the age of 10 and 12, I’ve always been cautious. Careful. A perfectionist.
But, after spending a week in Southern Utah, I can attest to the fact that the American West can still change people. Natural sandstone monuments tower over roads and buildings. The rivers carve their way through canyons deep and wide, eroding away millions of years in formation.
One can only come to a place like this, and ask to be grafted in. There is no changing or domesticating this land. Only traversing through.
And what have I learned from my journey to the desert? I’ve learned that feeling small is a good thing. Though we scrambled up a few boulders in the Fiery Furnace district of Arches National Park, and enjoyed breathtaking vistas on the cliffs of Canyonlands, there wasn’t a moment during which I felt prideful.
On the contrary: I was humbled.
And somehow I know that I will come back– that I need to come back. Sure, part of that is due to the fact that we didn’t get around to seeing Bryce and Zion, but also because I would like to feel this way again. I would like to feel small. I would like to harken back to that moment when my own “western civilization” was slammed with western un-civilization. The rugged mountains and steep cliffs remind us that there is something quite untamed about our world, and it thrives without us.
So, whether it was on foot, horseback, balloon or boat, I explored and marveled at this vast, perpetually unknown space. It was not simply wild because no one of European descent had seen it before; it still is wild because it refuses to be subdued. It has no master but God.
This is why I urge you to go to Utah too. For us Americans who are constantly aching to go abroad, let us not forget that our own land has some mysteries too.
Have you ever been to a place that made you feel small? I’d love to know!
Thank you so much Christy!! That means a lot to me.
Thanks girl!! It was just an amazing place!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Ellen! I really can’t wait to go to Bryce and Zion, I just need to find a date! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by.
Incredible. Wonderfully deep thoughts and magnificent pictures. Love your words about being “grafted in” and everything you tied back to the history of the Wild West. Beautiful words and photos!!!
This is just stunning! You’ve put into words many of my own feelings about the beauty of the gorgeous American Southwest. Just beautiful! 🙂
I really like your writing style, especially how you weave in personal reflections and thought provokers. We traveled around the National Parks in the west at the end of last year. The scenery is so different from where I grew up, so odd in many ways and so beautiful. Would love to go back one day. You’ll love Bryce and Zion!
Thank you so much Alexandra!! I would LOVE to go to Niagara Falls– I’ve heard so many good things! Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous pictures! Utah looks breathtaking :D. A place where I’ve felt small was when I visited Niagara Falls in Canada. Looking at the falls made me realize that us humans aren’t the biggest force on this planet, even though at times it feels like we are. Nature is. I really love this post because you reminded us that feeling small isn’t always a bad thing and can in fact be good.
Your style of writing is so fresh and inviting! I can’t wait to read more from you :).
-Alex
https://believeinyou24.wordpress.com/
Yes, I can’t imagine happening upon a place like this before there was internet– how do you even explain it?? And we didn’t end up going on the Delicate Arch hike, but we did do the Fiery Furnace, also amazing!!
This to a t! At so many points while in Moab and Arches, I could just imagine the pioneers who were so incredibly brave by coming to such foreign and harsh like lands. I’m a history nerd so one of the neatest moments for me was seeing the Wolf Ranch which was at the start of the Delicate Arch trail. And yes, I felt so small and inconsequential (in a good way if that makes sense) being at Arches. And your photograph of the shadow from the hot air balloon is simply stunning!
Ah thank you so much Jeannie! This space just inspired me in so many unexpected ways. I really really want to go to Sedona too– do you have a post with photos? I’d love to read it! I hope you’re having a good week, sweet friend!
Thank you so much Anna!!! I will definitely go back to Bryce– it is on the list, *before* the Grand Canyon!! I know it will probably make me cry!!
Hello Daisy. This post is simply breathtaking. It looks like an article taken from the Travel Magazine. The way you described the thoughts and emotions experienced you while visiting the park was truly heart felt and very captivating. And yes, eveyrtime I am surrounded by God’s wonders I feel small. Not because I feel less important but because I become one with everything. Last year I visited Sedona and I loved it and the feelings I experienced were very similar to the ones you felt. Thanks for sharin this beautiful post. You are amazing my friend:-). xoxo, Jeannette
http://www.msjeannieandhercloset.com
I LOVE this post Daisy! You described it SO beautifully! And I can’t get enough of your pictures of rugged Utah either! You’re so right that the US has so many amazing places deserving to be explored. Next time you go back, I hope you make it to Bryce Canyon! It’s my favorite place in Utah (granted, I haven’t really been to a lot of places in Utah). I loved it sooo much more than the Grand Canyon. The landscape there is amazing and I can’t believe that that’s something mother nature made. That place was just magical to me!
Thanks girl! It was just absolutely stunning– and I know there are more treasures in the US out there!
It was inrecedible Heidi!
Oh my goodness I know the feeling!! I’ll probably be bawling, haha!
Thanks so much Rachel! It was amazing in person.
Yes! I love what you stated at the very end of this post! We have so many beautiful and unseen wonders throughout our country! Such a great post! 🙂 Utah looks beautiful!
xo Erin
http://www.winkandatwirl.com
What an amazing place! I can’t wait to hear about your experience!
Heid
http://www.wishesandreality.com
If you felt this way about these locations Zion is going to be SUCH an experience for you. It literally brought me to tears it was so beautiful.
What great photos! Must look even better in person.
http://www.racheldinh.com
Thanks Brittany!! 😉 Oh gosh, I really really want to go back to Yosemite some time. And Zion– yes!! Hopefully not too far in our futures!!
Ah thanks lady!! It was SO much fun. I really want to visit your beloved land of Alaska too! 🙂
Thanks girl! Oh yes, I was perpetually dirty. Dust, horse slobber and stuff. 🙂
Ah thank you Kiki!! I’ve heard amazing things about Alaska and have never been… I would LOVE to go. And I felt the same way about my phone. At first I brought it because I thought I’d want to take photos with it (in addition to our cameras) but I never even took it out! It’s so freeing!
Thanks girl! 🙂
Thank you! It’s really gorgeous and just puts me in awe!
Ah thanks girl! It’s absolutely amazing, you would love it 🙂
Thank you! Yes, there’s a whole section of the US that kind of looks like this 🙂
Thanks Joanna! 🙂
GORGEOUS photos, Daisy! Isn’t it amazing how much the grandness of nature can change you? Our trip to Yosemite last year did so much more than ignite a love for hiking — it helped me let go of pieces of my perfectionism by stepping so far out of my comfort zone. Also, Zion is on my must-see list. I’m hoping to get there in the next year or two. Meet you there? 🙂
So, SO beautiful! Thanks for sharing these photos with us Daisy!
You’re definitely giving me the travel bug!
Living here, in Alaska- definitely makes me feel small at times, being surrounded by such beautiful scenery.
What beautiful photos! I love the desert, but I laughed when you said “dirt is not clean” haha I could not agree more.
xo
Michaela
http://michaelajeanblog.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MichaelaJeanArt
I cant get enough of these photos. Not to mention how passionate you are about the natural beauty of the West. I think most people focus on going to the beach or places that have mounds of tourist attractions. I think we forgot some of the most beautiful places to visit are simply canyons, and rocks beneath our feet. Alaska made me feel very small. Especially on a train through the mountains, and hiking through the lush forests. I didn’t think about technology, in fact my phone never left my room. I wanted to take in every experience first hand. You would love Alaska in the Summer Daisy!
http://www.accordingtokiki123.blogspot.com
That first photo is AMAZING!!! 🙂
Your photos are amazing and I was totally pulled in by your post. You made me want to pack my bags for a visit to Southern Utah! I also love the concept of your visit humbling you and making you feel small–what a reflection of how we should respond to God’s awesomeness and the awesome things He creates.
Wow –– Beautiful!! I’ve been craving to go out West for awhile now. I think it’s so true what you said about taking some time to explore our own country and the mysteries of the land around us. You never know what wonderful gems you can find when out exploring God’s handiwork! I will never tire of your adventures, my sweet friend!
I am glad you have had an incredible trip! 🙂 I have never been to anywhere similar in the US, but my sister did visit a dessert somewhere on her trip across the US. I forget exactly where it was, but she had stunning photos similar to yours 🙂
Away From The Blue
This looks and sounds like an incredible experience, Daisy. Thank you for sharing!!
lovejoanna.com