travel - recreation - explore canyons

Silver White Winters 50

“Should you shield thecanyons from the windstorms you would never see the true

beauty of their carvings.” – Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

51woman

canyons

Icy Dream - KANARRAVILLE, UTAHCold. That is what I feel when I see this image because that is what I felt when I took it. But all of it was completely worth it. I visited Kanarraville Falls three times in the prior summer and fall, and envisioned it almost exactly this way as I considered a trip in the winter to catch the ice.

S I LV E R W H I T E W I N T E R SShould you shield the canyons from the windstorms you would never see the true beauty of their carvings.

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Southern Utah canyons; their colors are spectacular. From sunrise to sunset, the hues ... the tones, changing ever seamlessly with each moment of the day, provide a visual splendor to all who enter them. Dr. Carl Sagan, renowned astronomer, educator, and author stated, “The wind whips through the canyons of the American Southwest, and there is no one to hear it but us - a reminder of the 40,000 generations of thinking men and women who preceded us, about whom we know almost nothing, upon whom our civilization is based.” A profound statement; and while most who visit one of the many vibrantly red colored canyons located in Southern Utah do so during the warmer seasons, it is in the silence of the winter that one might best feel its authenticity. No matter your thoughts or beliefs concerning God, Mother Nature and their intertwined roles, those who explore the red canyons discover a moment when in awe and realize that its creation is a masterful work of art ... to be there is a sacred experience. Landscape Photographer, Jeremiah Barber, understands this. “Nature’s beauty is symbolic of the great counterpart in our lives.” His photographs visually portray the indescribable sense of allure that lies within the canyons and why winter is the perfect time to feel of their vitality.

Contending Seasons - ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAHThe contrast of the green cactus versus the snow-dusted Watchman, really intrigued me here. When all else had turned yellow and given way to the harshness of winter, the Prickly Pear Cactus flaunted its hardy green paddles in defiance of the change in seasons.

52 HOLIDAY ISSUE 2012

Pine Valley Mountain Pastel - ST. GEORGE, UTAHPine Valley Mountain is a principal landmark of the St. George area landscape. A blanket of snow seems to add a different dimension reflecting light in amazing ways. When driving around or through St. George this holiday season, take a second and look. Sometimes the winter skies give off a beautiful pastel glow as occurred the evening this was captured.

Majestic – PINE VALLEY, UTAH The town had received a light dusting of snow overnight and as the sunlight broke over the valley, this group of horses had became somewhat playful amongst themselves. Horses are a memorable part of the beauty and solitude of Pine Valley, and the rays of sunshine gave these horses a majestic look.

Pines of Bryce - BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK, UTAHIt is a purely awesome feeling to be at Bryce Canyon when things are covered in snow. Crowds are not likely and it is a completely different sight to behold. In this photo, I felt as if the snow had forced the pine trees to gather to protect one another. They seemed to be filing in from every direction and marching together out into the distance.

54 HOLIDAY ISSUE 2012

Not so Fast - BEAVER, UTAHUp on Beaver Mountain, just East of Beaver, UT, I encountered a very early blizzard in October of 2011. Usually, by the time the snow has accumulated, the leaves have fallen from the trees. This year was different. The snow was apparently too much for many of the aspen branches to support and I could almost feel them saying, “Woah! We didn’t see that coming.”