Driving across the Navajo Nation. It’s early evening, and I’ve crossed the orange cliffs and am on the mesa with scrub brush and easy hills. Not a house in sight. Not a store, gas station, or even a fence to create boundaries. Not in the last 4o miles.
I’ve spent the last two weeks in big cities, on airplanes, flying over sparkling cities late at night. And now, this. Silence. Space. A big sky.
Suddenly, on the right, a group of horses gallop across the landscape–running parallel with my car. Where did they come from? They are well kept and strong. Two paints, one gray, several browns and two gorgeous chestnuts with black tails and manes. They run parallel to my car, and I imagine that they are having fun, running because they can. It doesn’t matter where they wind up, it is all their space.
Night is coming on. It feels peaceful and easy to be here, heading to teach. I feel grounded when I teach writing. So personal, so connected to culture and history and your own spirit. It’s like translating life into action.
The sun begins to set, and there is fire in the clouds. Part of this sun-struck cloud looks like the Phoenix–born from ashes to soar. Navajo Mountain appears on my right, and the sun sinks below the horizon. The echo of life stays with me as I roll deeper into the Navajo Nation.
––Quinn McDonald is a creativity coach who teaches writing for businesses and personal growth.
That was a lovely and serene moment that startled my muse into guilty consciousness. Thank you for your eloquent vision.
It was a lovely drive. All the way!
a beautiful meditation
Thanks–glad I could be of help.
Ahh….thanks for the peaceful interruption.
Good choice of words, thanks!
Quinn–I just love the contrast between the two pictures! I know where I would rather be–and it’s not up in the sky.
The road between Flagstaff and Page, Arizona is an amazing trip of contrasts, clouds, huge skies and long views. The landscape changes and the elk, deer, horses, and ravens make it an amazing journey.
Oh wow, you just gave my heart a big tug, I love that area. One of my favorite places on earth. Enjoy your trip!
It is a wonderfully special place, isn’t it? And this time of year is perfect to be there. Even in the classroom, it’s wonderful just to be in that area.
Not enough coffee in me yet to say more than wow – this was a beautiful way to start my day. Thank you 🙂
That drive is just amazing. And there are visual treats for most of it.
east coast.
early middle of the night
awake with sleep leaving after a brief visit
new moon energy, and
savored your post of horses running
thank you
I’m not even a horse person, but seeing those horses was a big treat.