Nature's Muse: Unearthing Inspiration from Nature's Wonders

Natural beauty spreads across the United States landscape, and I’ve only begun to see it for myself.

In April, two of my sisters and I visited Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. It was one of the incredible experiences that will linger for years. My nephew is a park ranger, so we had some good ol’ royal treatment. We hiked to unbelievable rock formations such as Delicate Arch, a freestanding 52-foot tall natural arch in Arches, and hiked through a remote section of Canyonlands, following cairns (and my nephew) as our only guides.

Snow-capped mountains blanketed the distant landscape, the wind swept us off our feet at Balanced Rock in Arches, and stars were so numerous in these dark sky parks that even a patch of blackness was nearly undetectable.

We spotted native birds and pronghorn antelope. We hoped to spot a desert big horned sheep and bobcat, but maybe next time. There are hundreds of National Parks in the US. Which ones are on your bucket list?

My nephew, Joseph and sisters Pat and Candy.

Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, Utah

Delicate Arch trail, Arches National Park, Utah

Pat, Candy, and me

Balanced Rock, Arches National Park, Utah

What’s On My Desk

It would be nearly impossible to visit a place like Arches and Canyonlands and not have my imagination go wild. I took it all in.

So here’s the thing: I am continuing my Pompey Hollow Road series, but taking notes on my trip was something I could not resist. Yes! I thought of stories. One in particular crossed my mind. What was it like to be a pioneer or native American and round the corner to such beauty when seeing Delicate Arch, the Grand Canyon, Crater Lake, or the redwoods? It’s a grand premise for a future book. There is nothing like the wonders of nature to inspire your imagination.

What I’m Reading Now

I love book recommendations— here are a couple I’m reading now.

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store

by James McBride

4 Riverside Close

by Diana Wilkinson

Books On My Nightstand

Here are the books next up in my queue.

Wandering Stars

by Tommy Orange

Redwood Court

by DeLana R. A. Dameron

From the Dog’s POV

Last month, I was suspicious when my human packed only one bag for an upcoming vacation.

Well, it turns out I wasn’t on the invited list. What the heck! How is that fair? I let my human have her way in so many ways. She gets to pet me whenever she wants. I only demand three walks a day. The other two are her choice, and I go willingly.

I sleep by her. Keep her safe, and bark at strangers.

Even when she shushes me, I keep barking for her own good.

Needless to say, I was pretty sad when I saw only one suitcase by the door, but then, I got the surprise of my life—I got to spend a week alone with Pops—just us two men, livin’ the wildlife.

Good Vibes

When that feeling of being on top of the world changes from figuratively to literally!

Millions of years and natural forces such as weathering and erosion create beautiful rock formations like this one in Moab, Utah.

Double Arch, Arches National Park, Utah

In a million years this arch may be nothing but rubble, but nature will create another somewhere to replace it. We’re here for only a short time, and I feel utterly honored to take in such beauty.

Canyonlands National Parks, Island in the Sky District, Utah

Here with my nephew, a park ranger for Canyonlands and Arches National Parks.

Creations are everywhere—land and sky.