A Fond Memory

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A morning view across Swiftcurrent Lake in Glacier National Park, 2007.

Photographer comment: This was taken about a year ago on a memorable trip where my wife and I celebrated our 30th anniversary.

Image: James Neeley, Grand Teton Imaging [larger view].

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Isn't it funny that many people find places that are so barren of life beautiful?
I am a long distant hiker and invariably other hikers describe some of the high passes as beautiful. When you get there, there is less "life" (as in visible plants or animals) per square cm than in NYC!
I particularly like Neil DeGrasse Tyson's comment about earth not being made for people but as being outwardly hostile towards us. He commented that if he were to drop someone butt naked on any random patch of terra firma (ignoring that 70% water feature!) that the person would be dead in 10 minutes. Places such as the one pictured exemplify that assertion.
An aside - I was hiking the John Muir Trail in 2004 and ran into 5 consecutive days of thunderstorms. Nothing quickens your pulse or pace than lightning strikes on high passes such as Glen Pass (12,000') and Forester Pass (13,000'). At the latter one, I could feel the concussion from the thunder! Deadheads may know the story behind Saint of Circumstance, which contains the lines:Well, I sure don't know
What I'm goin' for
But I'm gonna go for it,
That's for sure.

By Onkel Bob (not verified) on 19 Nov 2008 #permalink