The Desert Southwest

The Desert SouthWest!

Do you believe in re-incarnation? I was never a real believer, until I went on the road trip to California (You can read about that trip HERE). On our way out, and on our way home, we passed through a few desert states. I had only seen the desert on Television and in the movies, and always thought it was cool. That was until I actually traveled through. I felt a weird and wonderful connection with it. I don’t know how to explain it, because I can’t come up with a reason for myself for the way I feel about it. The reason I brought up re-incarnation is, I don’t know how I could feel an infinity and a intimacy towards a place I’ve only been a couple times. There is some kind of un-explainable bond I have with the southwest.

Don’t get me wrong and think I don’t love Ohio. Ohio is my home, and in some shape or form, will always be. But there is just a part of me that feels like it comes from dusty desert sand. Is it the heat? Is it the warmth? Is it the flora and fauna? Is it that the horizon seems to melt into the sky? Is it that there are more colors in the sand and in the sky than there are in a box of Crayolas? Can somebody tell me, please?

It’s not just the desert itself either. It’s the whole atmosphere. It’s the whole style. It’s no wonder so many people decorate their homes with a southwest feel.

Ah, Arizona, the Grand Canyon State.

(Taken June ’03 on a trip out to Cali. Crossing into the great state of AZ.)

I love AZ. And it’s not just because that is the home state of the Peacemakers. If you notice, I went to Arizona long before the Peacemakers were together, and I’ve had this desert attraction even before the Cali Road trip. We stopped in Winslow, AZ. on our way home from Hollywood, it was a nice place. The funny thing is there was a t-shirt at the gas station we stopped at that read; ‘Standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona.’ For those of you who don’t know that’s a line from the Eagles song ‘Take It Easy’. OK…that line was just for me, I thought it was funny. I would have bought that shirt too, if it wasn’t fifteen dollars. Coming home from Matt’s wedding and the second Vega$ trip, Jamie, John, Joey and I stopped at the Grand Canyon. Let me just say…WOW! Have any of you seen this thing in person? It is one of the most incredible sights you will ever behold. It is actually hard to wrap your mind around how immense it is. I walked up to the barrier around the lip of the canyon, stood there just soaking it all in with the forty some other people around me. I leaned over the barrier, and with all my might, called out…"BOBBY! CINDY!" I couldn’t resist. I’m a child of the Television. I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself if I didn’t do it. I also got a huge laugh from everyone around me, so it was all worth it. But on a serious side, I can not put into words the beauty of this state. Whether it’s during the day, at dusk, or in the dead of night.

I took this picture of the sun set as we were driving down the Arizona highway. I was hoping more of the horizon would have come out, but I truly love this picture. It’s warm, and it instantly takes me back to the desert.

(Again, taken on the ’03 Cali trip)