Take the Long Way Home
December 2000 - This photo was taken along Bush Highway at the Lower Salt River near Mesa, Arizona. It was shot with my very first Canon Rebel camera and it was off my very first roll of film! Yes I have dated myself... FILM ! FIRST ROLL !
This photo is incredibly special to me and still hangs on my wall for inspiration. For me it represents a monumental shift in my life. It came in the form of discovery. I discovered one of my greatest passions right here at this very spot.
We had moved to a very congested area and worse much farther away from work. The traffic on my daily drive home was so terrible it was almost unbearable for me. It was literally making my blood pressure soar to gawd awful levels I have no doubt. I suppose I could blame my impatience on my youth at that time; but I must admit, even now gridlock gives me a slight dose of anxiety.
On one particular afternoon when traffic was even worse than usual, I thought to myself "just take the long way home" Which meant a beautiful traffic free drive through one of my favorite places in the Valley..." The Lower Salt River". Yes it would take me a little longer, yes it would take more gas but it was the 90's and gas was still cheap. Looking back now I suppose it was truly the end of the days of driving to just drive with no destination in mind. I used to do that a lot back then, it was a form of meditation to me. I started taking that route home 3-4 times a week because I enjoyed it even more than I hated the traffic.
Every single drive felt meaningful to me and so often something spectacular would be seen. It started on that very first ride home that day I was so stressed out, The most intense vibrant sunset of purple and pink fuchsia I have ever seen. Set against the Arizona desert background it was magically incredible and left me in total awe!
Being that I was a reluctant transplant from the Midwest. That moment was the very first time I really looked at the desert and saw it's incredible beauty looking back at me. I literally stopped right here at this cactus just to take it all in. I remember wishing I had a camera, (back then we did not have camera phones, heck(most of us didn't even have cell phones)
I decided I would have to get a camera, just in case, I ever saw another sunset as brilliant as that one... Shortly after I got my first camera. The Canon Rebel 2000. Arizona is known for it's amazing sunsets and it did not take long before I was able to capture this sunset shown in the picture. IT was yet one of many to come that I took right here at my Cactus Guard as I came to know him. He sits right at the edge of the road and is the first thing you see after you round a corner if you are heading south. I don't know I just always had the urge to salute him as I drove past.
Since that very first sunset in December of 2000...I have seen some of the most incredible sunsets, sunrises, rainbows and even a tornado once, but I am convinced within myself that nothing has come close to that brilliant amazing sunset...it awakened in me one of my greatest joys in life...The Art of Photography.
Photography has opened my eyes and my heart to all of the beauty our planet has to offer us. It has taught me a deeper meaning of respect for all of the wonderful creatures that inhabit our world and that includes humans. It truly is something that fulfills my soul in a way only nature can.
The bigger lesson for me that day I think was to remember to listen to those quiet whispers in your heart. I consider sometimes how I could have easily sat in traffic that day and ignored that calling. It's one choice I am so happy I made that day. Rather than suffer in traffic I took the Long Way Home.