Junction Butte & Ranger Kathryn under wintry clouds. (photo: Steve Colegate)
Celebrating my 50,000th lifetime blog view last week, I can’t think of a more effective way to communicate what I do and why I do it except to post this photo that a visitor from Australia recently took of me.
One needs to walk only one mile from the Grand View Point parking lot to reach this expansive agoraphobic vista. The clouds set up exquisite lighting, and the fresh snowfall created contrast. It is exquisitely suited to my five hundredth blog post. This is not just my job: it is who I am.
Ranger Kathryn's Arches 
Congratulations on the 500th. And on the 50,000th. Obviously you have a gift that many people appreciate! This is an amazing photo and it certianly does represent what you love and who you are. But might I say that you are even more than this. PK
Comment by Keith — February 10, 2012 @ 5:13 pm |
Hmmmm. Right you are. I feel as if I have found the real “me” when I put this uniform on, but in reality this is only a part of who I am. Thanks for the needed reminder.
Comment by Kathryn Burke — February 10, 2012 @ 5:31 pm |
Lovely, Kathryn.
Comment by Kate Kresse — February 10, 2012 @ 5:37 pm |
A great photo of one of God’s more magnificent creations. The mountain is fabulous, too. 😉
Comment by Jan Schubert — February 10, 2012 @ 7:27 pm |
OH, JAN!
Comment by Kathryn Burke — February 10, 2012 @ 7:30 pm |
That view makes my heart fly out of my chest; a feeling of longing and anticipation and hope and the realization that we are so insignificant and significant all at the same time.
Comment by Gretchen Wise — February 10, 2012 @ 9:54 pm |
How beautifully said.
Comment by Kathryn Burke — February 10, 2012 @ 11:13 pm |
great shot! wonderful composition! i’m glad you are who you are ………
Comment by john — February 11, 2012 @ 8:54 am |
Thank you, baby brother. I am nearly always filled with joy out here, doing what I’m doing, being who I am. I love that you follow my adventures.
Comment by Kathryn Burke — February 12, 2012 @ 10:32 am |
A-MA-ZING ! ! !
Comment by Kathy Lewis — February 11, 2012 @ 9:05 am |
Does levitating out beyond the cliff’s edge come with the job – or is that a personal talent? ;-?
Comment by leroque — February 11, 2012 @ 10:09 am |
Nobody knows what is beneath my feet! It shall remain a mystery.
Comment by Kathryn Burke — February 11, 2012 @ 2:23 pm |
It’s a great photo and I’ve really enjoyed your posts. My wife and I made our first trip in October to Arches and Canyonlands and loved it. We were really taken by the fact that most of the visitors we met on the trails weren’t Americans, but Canadians, Germans, Chinese, etc. We are returning to Utah in late April (Zion) and hope the weather cooperates. It wasn’t real cooperative in October, but that just makes things more exciting. I am returning to Arches and Canyonlands myself in May for a retreat to primitive camping.
We marvel at the fact that we still have red dust coming from somewhere inside our 4Runner’s tailgate after each time we wash the car. We collected it on BLM lands near Davis Canyon. It is diminishing little by little, but only serves to remind me that I have to get back soon and gather some more of that red dust and the peace, solitude and rejuvenation that comes along with it!
Donald Bouchard
Comment by Donald Bouchard — February 11, 2012 @ 11:23 am |
I love your last line. It feels like you’ve found a place that feeds your soul, and you know that returning is not optional. Bravo. See you around these parts!
Comment by Kathryn Burke — February 11, 2012 @ 4:06 pm |
That’s an AMAZING picture! I woke up this morning and realized that this would have been when I would have been starting back at Arches. I thought, “Why did I trade in the wide open spaces for a sealed metal tube? I hate cities and airports are in cities!” I know I’ll enjoy this new job, but I suddenly wanted nothing more than to feel those high canyon walls around me and be deep in the rock.
So basically, I miss you!
Comment by Casey Hodnett — February 11, 2012 @ 3:52 pm |
Flight attendants have their own type of adventures. No job is forever, Casey, so always keep in mind that Arches would take you back in a heartbeat. For perspective: full-time work with benefits has its up side…
I can completely relate to the abrupt realization of where you fit best. Pay attention to those clues, in the long run. While I’m sad not to have you nearby this season, I look forward to reading of your tales of excitement and novelty. We will see each other again!
Comment by Kathryn Burke — February 11, 2012 @ 4:04 pm |
Congratulations, somewhat belatedly. Sorry to be so late to the party, but happy to have made it. Anyway, it’s a lovely photo, so thanks to the mystery Aussie for taking it and to you for sharing it.
Comment by Ron Carroll — March 4, 2012 @ 8:31 am |