"I get a similar feeling in this canyon as I did in the mountains, but it's not quite looming--it's different. I can't put my finger on it; help me think of a word. I thought about imminent, but it's an adjective instead of a verb. Help me think of one."
"How about engulfing."
"Yep. That's the word."
We started our day today in Fresno, CA, and ended up only 30 miles down Hwy 99. The thing is, we took a slight detour through Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. I have to admit, I didn't realize just how mountainous the west is. We spent another day winding through steep, narrow roads, this time at elevations as high as 9,000 feet. Some of the canyon walls look as high as mountains when you're at the bottom of the canyon. If I had the time and energy (maybe later) I would like to write metaphorically about canyons, mountains, and maybe valleys. I find it interesting that valleys seem to get a raw deal...peaks and valleys... "Even though I walk the the shadow of the valley of death..." Anyway, that's for another time.
I never have liked the smell of room and car deodorizers; they smell so artificial to me. Even the "clean air" ones don't smell clean. I especially wondered about the "fresh pine" scent. Most of those smell like Pinesol. I did get to appreciate the origin of that smell today--in Sequoia National Park. To quote Emeril, I wish you had "Smell-a-vision." There is something about mountain air that is distinct. Crisp and clean are cliche, but they work very well. The sky is somehow bluer as well. We saw General Grant and General Sherman the third and the largest trees by volume in the world. General Sherman is taller than a 27 story building and is 36 feet across at the base. For me, it's another of God's miracle that makes me realize just how small I am and how great He is. While this tree is the largest living in the world, there were so many others in the vicinity that were huge as well. I shook my head in amazement every time we rounded a curve in the forest--we saw one after another after another.
When we left the parks, we decided not to push it, ending up in Visalia, CA--only 99 highway miles from where we started. This morning we are headed to Hoover Dam and possibly the Grand Canyon.
By the way, happy birthday Rita! We didn't forget you on the twenty-third, we just didn't have internet access!
2 comments:
Mrs. Branson,
It sounds like you're having an amazing trip. I'm intensely jealous of your adventures and all the great seafood you seem to be enjoying. The West sounds incredible.
You've read so much of my writing, but I had never read much of yours until now. It really has inspired me. I've been slacking off this summer. I've been spending most of my free time reading the Harry Potter series for the upteenth time and exercising my thumbs playing Super Mario Brothers on the Super Nintendo console.
I bought some Chinese food for myself yesterday. The fortune in the cookie read, "You have a clever way with words. You should write a book." or something to that effect. I was highly amused.
When I have time, I'm going to read this whole blog and go through all the pictures. I'm glad you're having such a good time. Man. I'm so jealous.
I miss you!
Always,
Meghan
Meghan!
Great to hear from you. We are certainly having the trip of a lifetime. I'm on sensory overload. If I don't write during the evening (sometimes late night), I have a difficult time recalling everything we've seen. The landscapes, the people--so diverse. By the time we get home, the only ecosystem we will not have seen is a tundra. The people...well...we've seen some doozies.
Put down the controller and pick up a pen (or laptop)! You need to be writing--whatever format that may take. There is no doubt you are an excellent writer. It is work, though, isn't it? While I enjoy writing this blog, it takes some time and effort. By the end of our jam-packed day, I'm worn out. It's a little like writing late at night to get an assignment finished--you want it to be good, but you also have a deadline. You know how that goes.
Thanks for posting a comment; it's fun to hear from people back home. Let's do lunch when I get back, okay?
Get to writing!
Mrs. Branson
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