our daughter wrote, “it’s a hidden gem!” and i agree. we were grateful for her encouraging us to adventure here.
one of my favorite places, goblin valley state park in utah was a playground like no other. two artists – with active imaginations – we could have stayed there all day. this place – full of hoodoos and really interesting sandstone/siltstone formations engaged us, made us giggle, invited us to run about in delight, insisted we play.
we were invigorated – even in intense heat and unforgiving sun. even as we were there – even before we had to leave – we talked about coming back, to be with these sprites, enchanting stone babies.
we traveled to many national parks in our nine days all together. though we would hike to take photographs and explore sites a bit, our inclination to hike the narrows at zion remains a wish for another day, trails at bryce remain unseen. the hike right up to delicate arch at arches will have to wait and an attempt at crossing the grand canyon – rim to rim – or even riding down into the canyon didn’t make the cut – this time.
but goblin valley was another story. and the absolute charm of these goblins tugged at us – taunting us and enchanting us.
i sat down on one of these sandstone sculptures, tucked into its graceful shape – mystified by the sheer beauty of the valley. once again, i was but a tiny being, part of a much bigger whole.
this time – this time – i was touching the past, the present and the future…a sandstone deposit from 170 million years ago…this very day…and these magical hoodoos which would prevail long after i am gone.
*****
read DAVID’s thoughts this NOT-SO-FLAWED WEDNESDAY
like. subscribe. share. support. comment. – thank you. xoxo



Pingback: Goblins After All [David’s blog on Not So Flawed Wednesday] | The Direction of Intention
October 16, 2024 at 10:59 am
I’m loving the photos of your trip out West. I recommend that you do not make the trip down the Grand Canyon on mules. I did that one year. Yes it was fun. But it’s always hot there and what goes down must come up. Coming up was very very hard for the mules. I still feel bad about it. How come I get the feeling that you too might choose to move out West?
October 20, 2024 at 9:17 am
Dear Lydia…we had a terrific trip out west that ended with Covid. 😦 We’ve been struggling ever since. We love the west, particularly the Rocky Mountains and Colorado. It’s not feasible for us to move there at this time. We’ll try to make trips there as much as possible. Helps that our daughter and son-in-law and David’s family are out there. xoxo love to you!