Red Rock Reflections

This section contains reflections about the Red Rock Country of southern Utah. Many of the items in this section are based on journal notes that I have made during my travels in Red Rock Country. I have also included some of the writings of the late Ward J. Roylance and a few other notable desert writers.

• A Day in Pleasant Creek - Reflections on a beautiful hike through the Waterpocket Fold in Capitol Reef National Park. Like music, this hike seems to possess a continuous, unified, and evocative composition. A total integration of sensory information.
• The Desert - Some beautiful excerpts from John C. Van Dyke's book The Desert - a classic account of desert esthetics.
• Eye on The Needles - A wonderful backpacking trip into The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.
• Flight Over The Needles - Reflections on a journey into, and over, Red Rock Country.
• The Ineffable - by Ward J. Roylance - This is the entire text from the opening chapter of Ward's The Enchanted Wilderness. It is a beautifully written introduction to the natural esthetics of southern Utah.
• Life in the Rock - This is an essay I wrote a couple of years ago in celebration of 10 years of personal exploration in Red Rock Country. It contains some pretty weird stuff, so please keep an open mind. The mystical wonder of Red Rock Country has influenced all elements of my life.
• Little Wild Horse Canyon - Although this page was designed for my hiking section, I have included it here because it also contains quite a bit of personal reflection about the joys of canyon hiking.
• Photo Journal - A collection of photos I’ve taken in southern Utah linked to related journal entries.
• Utah Wilderness - by Ward J. Roylance - Ward speaks out on Wilderness issues. This is a reprint from an insightful article he published in 1991.