I love the Anza-Borrego Desert. I am totally at peace when I am there. I am always calm, never worried or hurried here. I feel no pressure, i feel no angst.
It is mostly, except for a few weeks a year, a desolate and barren place of the utmost understated beauty.
It’s a place people unfamiliar with a desert may never understand. But I know it well and we can have a conversation.
The day was perfect, cool with some soft clouds. The wind was the only sound I could hear as it buffeted in my ears. I came to shoot big things, mountains and clouds.
But the desert spoke to me and said, “The desert is too big for you today, put away your wide angle lens. You must shoot small”. I always listen for you can never tell the location what you will shoot. The location always tells you…
I Headed off down a path I have never ventured. I took off down Inspiration Wash as I thought it apropo for what I needed.
As I walked among the dunes, the earth collapsing beneath me feet into tunnels that the creatures of the desert use for protection from the harshness of the climate, I found many small things to shoot. Letting the desert and the winter sun guide me to what should be captured.
I ended the Journey at inspiration Point where I could see many miles in every direction. I asked “May I shoot big now? The Desert responded with a scowl as the wind picked up and the rain front began to come in. I knew the answer was…NO!
With the weather taking a turn for the worse, I knew a desert wash was not the place I wanted to be. I said to my keeper,”:I think it is time I go” . The Desert responded, Yes it is time.”
So I began to mount my trusty blue steed, But the Desert called to me…”Wait, before you go…Shoot Big”
The desert was so happy to see me, it began to have remorse…and said, “I cannot let you go” and for the first time… I was lost in the desert, unable to find my way back. With a half hour to sunset and a storm on the way. My GPS lost to a thief a month ago and a map that doesn’t help when there are no roads, no signs. Mountain that were familiar earlier in the day now all looking the same. So it was back to the basics of just my compass and the light of an airport beacon in the distance to guide my way. I found my way.
One against many
I asked my captor friend…Why must it always be a struggle. A struggle of one against many…”Because, the desert answered, you must find your way no matter how they hold you back”
Thank you my friend Desert I will return in a month to see you in your blanket of color and splendor. I will always love you.
