I’ve grown up in the desert all of my life. Hiking, camping, and just flat out exploring. I’ve met people in college that have said that the desert isn’t anything special, where they would prefer the trees rather than the vast openness, and spirituality of the desert. (Yeah, that’s a sub-tweet…sub-article?).
I guess you just have to be some type of person to appreciate everything it offers. From vast Canyon Lands to Delicate Arches, tight Slot Canyons to Monument Valley, nothing beats the Desert. The landscape is amazing, but the best feeling is to understand the spiritual nature of the desert. This area has been home to many, but most importantly the Native Americans. The spiritual ties the Native Americans have had to this land is amazing, but politically speaking, the United States has treated Native Americans unfairly (This isn’t a bash on the U.S, its just truth) by placing them on reservations all throughout this country, and especially all throughout the south west. I’d be a hypocrite if I said I understand the spiritual meaning of their homeland, because quite frankly I don’t. I’m just a Desert Enthusiast.
So, after that introduction what does it mean to be a desert enthusiast? Well, to each is own because for me it means conservancy, not expanding. I’ve developed this type of philosophy by reading the books of Edward Abbey (yes, I’m bringing Ed Abbey into the mix again…not sorry), and although his books preach of a more radical way to fight against development, they speak truth in protecting these lands that don’t get much attention. Honestly, when people who have never been to the desert before first think of this landscape, the word “beautiful” probably doesn’t come to mind. Not until you live in this landscape do you truly start to capture the beauty of the desert.
The best example of how the Desert is both a place of history, and amazing recreational activities is the proposed Bears Ears National Monument. In recent weeks a proposal has been developed to establish a 1.9 million acre Bears Ears National Monument located in the southern region of Utah. This area consists of awesome recreational rock climbing, as well as amazing Native American archaeological, and cultural sites. (Up to 100,000 sites in total). This proposal was brought up by Utah congressmen, and a coalition of Native American tribes which include the Navajo, Utes, Ute Mountain Utes, Hopi, and The Zuni. The main goal for these tribes is to gain recognition of these lands, and in today’s society we can kind of get caught up in the recreational activities, that we sometimes forgot how historically important these lands are to these tribes.
Plain and simple, its worth protecting.
So, take a hike in the desert, go camping, and explore. I promise you will experience so much more beauty by going to great desert landscapes such as the ones I wrote about. Experience the history, experience the beauty, and protect it.
“The idea of wilderness needs no defense; it only needs defenders.” – Edward Abbey
