Many years ago, when I was first contemplating moving from Tennessee to Utah, a co-worker made a really peculiar comment. This person (his brain undeniably swelled by the oppressive humidity) tried to convince me that the scenery out west is really nice if you are just looking at the larger landscape, but that up close the desert is not very interesting and in fact is basically lifeless and just downright ugly.
Obviously, this deluded individual had never lived out west. However, I knew better, even then.
Without a doubt, there is the long view …
But if we just pause a moment and investigate more closely, it is amazing what we might notice, particularly on a sunny spring morning walkabout…
These fragile prickly pear cactus blossoms shimmer like blown glass in the sunshine.
Sego lily, Utah’s state wildflower, displays a delicate blossom that can be easily trampled underfoot by the careless hiker.
