Reflecting on Landscapes: A Road Trip Through Southeast Colorado

It takes two days to get here by car, but what a beautiful road trip!

We drove through Southeast Colorado yesterday taking the back roads to our destination in Gunnison.

Nothing other than striking scenery, but I took some time to reflect upon how a landscape mirrors different aspects of our humanity.

When we left Amarillo, Texas yesterday morning, I wondered how the landscape of a dry desert, long vistas, and skyscapes shape the people that live there now, and in the past.

When you look out upon the landscape where sky meets land, you realize that the land you occupy encompasses a tiny slice of your overall perception.

I understand why the ancients took so much stock in the sky, because looking around where there are no trees, most of what you see IS sky.

It was the same when I used to travel the inside passage in British Columbia and Alaska. The ancients that lived at the water's edge weren't so much interested in the land where they slept and ate--their life was on the water. That's why the ovoid shapes of their art resemble the water they derived their sustenance from.

When I come out here, time slows way down for me. I find myself caught in between the past and the future in the holy present.

Much like when I am engrossed in my creative work.

Big landscapes and tall skies change the way you perceive your own life, or at least it does for me.

I was awakened in a most delightful way this morning by this dude.

And I was also awakened by coyotes around 2 am celebrating their feast. Of what, I don't know. But they were happy.