The month of May zipped by, but not without many wonderful experiences hiking in some of the most beautiful country in the US. A lot of people are excited about Paris or New York, but for me, there’s nothing more beautiful than the open spaces and nature’s architecture. Stop me before I wax poetic about petrified forests, slot canyons, waterfalls, and pine forests! I could go on for hours, and then there are the pictures that I will want you to see–lots of pictures.
The road trip took 17 days. The average hike was 5 miles. I only got into trouble once when I was on a steep grade and the ground turned to sand. No matter how I tried, I couldn’t keep from sliding about ten feet onto the lower trail, filling my shoes with enough sand to keep me from going headfirst. I surprised a hiker below me with, “Look out! I’m on my way down.” I’m glad he was there because after him came the canyon.
At times the elevation made breathing while hiking up a mountain a challenge. Let’s face, it made it damned hard. I almost turned back a couple of times, but there was always a waterfall that I really wanted to see or a view that couldn’t be missed, so while those hikes took longer than I expected, I made it. Good thing I have great hiking friends for encouragement.
While I’ve hiked some of these trails before, doing it again was as if it were my first time. I’m much older than I was when I first visited these places and a very different person. While I was hiking what should have been familiar spots, sophomore year Philosophy 1A replayed Heraclitus who philosophized something like–and I paraphrase–You cannot step into the same river twice…
I’ve missed hearing what everyone is doing, so I look forward to visiting and catching up.
And now…
The awesome co-hosts for the June 1 posting of the IWSG are SE White, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguire, Joylene Nowell Butler, and Jacqui Murray!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG posts. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or a story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you keep yourself writing to the end? If have not started the writing yet, why do you think that is and what do you think could help you find your groove and start?
I’ve really already answered this question at the beginning of the post. My first resort when I’m stuck or in the writing doldrums is to get up and get out. Walking or hiking always clears my head and returns me to the story. It took me a while to figure this out.
For a long time, I’d force myself to stick with the page even when the words wouldn’t come.
Miserable!
Then one day, just before I hurled the computer out the window, I turned the thing off and headed outside. I think I walked ten miles that day. By the time I came back, not only was I feeling smug about how much exercise I’d had, but I also had the words I needed to move ahead with the story.
Well, duh! Why did it take me so long to figure this out?
Quote of the Week: “Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein
Toi Thomas says
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Sorry for the late reply.
I too love nature, despite my many allergies, asthma, and skin conditions. A cabin in the woods is my favorite vacation. Your images are really cool. Taking a walk has been really good for my creativity too.
diedre says
Wonderful post! Uplifting and inspiring. I often forget the exercise value of a “walk away” though my mind is always grateful for a refreshing cleanse. It’s like opening a window. Einstein knew what he was talking about. Love that quote.
Michelle Wallace says
Such beautiful pics, Lee!
Sounds like you are living your best life – hiking, running, writing. Just wonderful!
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – great photos … and I’m so pleased you had such a lovely time -even getting through the difficult sand-slipping part. It looks stunning … and from your reply above – I hope you’ll be able to get out again sometime soonish – enjoy June … cheers Hilary
S.E. White says
Beautiful photos! What a fun road trip. After that epic trip, I bet you came home bursting with new words to write.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Well, it has inspired me to edit. Nothing new happening at the moment.
Carol Kilgore says
Beautiful photos! So glad you had a great time and returned home safely.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Carol. Good to go, but always good to return.
Denise Covey says
Hi Lee. Welcome back. It is possible to be in love with Paris, Prague, Rome, Florence, and be in love with the great outdoors. All inspire me. Not that I hike as much as you, but I do my fair share along beaches and rivers.
And I always remember Stephen King in On Writing, said he walked and walked when sorting a knotty plot problem. It definitely works. As you can attest.
C. Lee McKenzie says
So true. I can take a big city for a couple of days before I get antsy and want to see some open land. Keep hiking. Keep sorting those knotty plot problems!
Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy says
Oh my gosh, I love your pics. That area of the world looks beautiful. I’d love to hike there one day. I much prefer the natural world too 😉
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Lynda. Hope you get that hike in Utah and Colorado!
Anna says
Love the pics and I’m glad you found a way to fill up your writer’s cup. 😉
Anna from elements of emaginette
C. Lee McKenzie says
A great way to put it, Anna. Thanks.
Lee Lowery says
Gorgeous photos! The hiking looks phenomenal! I’ve recently started running again and it is amazing how the physical activity can clear the mind. And soul.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Our world is filled with wonders, and I’m always so excited when I get to explore some of them. Here’s to keeping a clear mind…and soul.
Damyanti Biswas says
These images are absolutely gorgeous! Also, a beautiful theme 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks for stopping by and glad you enjoyed your visit.
Susan M. Gourley says
Your trip looks amazing. I admire your energy. Glad you had a break.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Susan.
Deniz says
I’ve done that too – a walk is a great place to talk through plot problems!
That looks like an awesome road trip and hiking trip, thanks for sharing photos!
C. Lee McKenzie says
It was a great trip. I’m already thinking I want to do it again.
Louise (Fundy Blue) says
I’m so glad that you had such a marvelous hiking trip, Lee! You were trekking the geography of my heart. I love the Four Corners’ far flung areas more than anywhere else in the world. I had a surprise for you on my IWSG blog post in May; but the true surprise was you out hiking ~ lol. I did a review of your “Shattered” which I loved! There were some nice comments on “Shattered” by other IWSG members. I did put a review up for you on Amazon, and I think Goodreads. I have to doublecheck that one. It’s been crazy too long. Your photos are glorious. I hope to see more. Take care!
C. Lee McKenzie says
May was my blank month as far as books go, so I apologize for not making it over to say hi and thanks. However, I’ll come by and look up that post and leave you my gratitude–late, but heartfelt.
Jeff says
Thanks for these additional photos. As you know, I lived in Cedar City, UT for ten years. It was incredible as there were five major national parks in a three hour drive (Zion, Bryce, North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Great Basin, and Capitol Reef). In addition, there were lots of national monuments. I loved hiking the area (and backcountry skiing in winter).
If you only averaged 5 miles a day, did you go to the top of Wheeler Peak at Great Basin. It’s a good hike, I don’t remember the exact mileage and it’s also steep. But about 2/3 of the way to the top, there is a wonderful grove of Bristlecone Pines. It’s a place to take a rest among the elders–trees that are a couple thousand years old.
C. Lee McKenzie says
We missed the Bristlecone Pines I’m afraid. As I remember these are among the most ancient trees on our planet?
I loved Capitol Reef, and Bryce was as always captivating. I can see why you enjoyed living where you did. There’s no end of outdoor beauty.
Yvonne V says
I love how you combine hiking with plotting and solving writing problems. Great photos!
C. Lee McKenzie says
It’s a rather scattered approach, but I like it.
MIffie Seideman says
Absolutely gorgeous pictures! I love slot canyons, also. They are surreal, and I could take millions of pictures (only to rival the number I took of Stonehenge). I also find my mind clears when I’m out exercising. A long bike ride sends me home with a better frame of mind and (if I can remember until I get off the bike and to a pen) ideas for the story. Best of luck on the writing!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks so much! Picture-taking is habit forming and so easy with these handy little gadgets attached to us at every moment.
Olga Godim says
Those photos are terrific. The live vistas must’ve been awesome to see and experience. I’m thinking about a setting for a fantasy or sci-fi story.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I can see one of the slot canyons being perfect for either story. Let me know how that book takes shape.
Liz A. says
It looks like you had a great trip. I bet you needed a vacation from your vacation, though 😉
C. Lee McKenzie says
Kind of. I’ve been off the trail for a few days, but I really do miss being out. Now, I have to start early in the mornings because it’s so hot by mid-day.
Kim Elliott says
Beautiful pics! I’m glad you’ve found that walking is something that helps motivate you.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It was either walking or drinking. I think the former is much healthier.
L. Diane Wolfe says
How beautiful! I know all about high elevation. We lived at 6000 feet in Albuquerque and it was quite the adjustment.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I felt like I was pulling a wagon up some of those trails, puffing like crazy. It would be an adjustment to live that high.
joylene says
It took so long because we are wonderful, complicated, ever-evolving human beings. Bravo to you, Lee. Thanks for sharing this. It’s a comfort realizing how similar we are as writers. There is a unique connection between us all.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You are so right, Joylene. When I think I’m the only one going through some of these experiences, it’s comforting to know others have the same things in their lives. Writers are an amazing bunch, so different, yet with that “unique connection” you mentioned.
Sonia dogra says
Hi Lee. Nice to have you around this month. Love those pictures. I’m smitten by how you walk and hike so much. I’m really impressed. I usually go for a walk when I’m angry or upset. But going out when there’s a roadblock in the story makes sense too.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I do some stomping if I’m on a trail and happen to be angry about something. I totally understand how that helps!
Elephants Child says
What a wonderful, wonderful trip.
My eyes are glowing a little bit green.
I always turn to nature for solace and heart balm. And both are provided generously.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I know you’re an outdoor observer because of all those beatiful pictures you post. The colors are glorious–I love seeing the flowers and those birds that are special to your part of the world.
Jacqui Murray says
That’s a trip I would love to take. What a rejuvenating trip.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It gave me the boost I needed.
Patricia says
I so want to go to that area of the US and see the nature around there. One day.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It’s a must, Patricia. Hope you do it.
Cathrina says
Gorgeous pictures, and I agree about walking and seeing nature all around! You amaze me with all your hiking. I’m lucky if I can walk a mile without resting. I just had 1 full knee replacement, but now the other knee is toast. I’m hoping, after the other one is done, I can hike again like I used too.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Those knee replacements seem to do the trick for people I’ve talked to. Hope you get your second one done and healed quickly, so you can resume treking.
Jemi Fraser says
Glorious pictures!
I’ve always loved the quote about never stepping in the same river twice – everything changes, as do we. So glad you had a wonderful hiking trip!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’d like to have the keen mind that puts thoughts into such succinct and poignant prose.
Thomas Edward Anderson says
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
I suspected that you would be returning to your site today with a slideshow. I thoroughly enjoyed gazing at these Postcards From the Edge (of the cliff). The pictures snapped on your 17-day road trip are beautiful. Moreover, your mind took many more pictures that will remain stored in your memory the rest of your life. It does my heart good to know that you were in your element, saw all those awesome sights, challenged yourself and reaped big dividends. I have not forgotten that you have been training for this experience for a long time, taking daily, miles long hikes near your home to build leg strength and endurance. It paid off.
Like you, I tend to get plenty of good writing ideas when I step away from the keyboard and do other things. It often happens when I am in the shower or trying to get to sleep at night.
Thank you for sharing pictures of the scenic wonders you saw on your hiking and climbing tour of the Mountain West. Your happiness is mine, Cheryl-Lee. I wish you a safe and productive June, dear friend!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Always great to read your comments, Shady. May you continue to get those ideas when you’re enjoying other activities or easing into a good night’s sleep. l
Melissa Maygrove says
I love reading about all your adventures. You make me want to take a trip! As soon as out builder builds the walking trails in my new-construction neighborhood, I’ll be hitting those on a regular basis.
C. Lee McKenzie says
That sounds wonderful. New trails are always exciting.
Natalie Aguirre says
Glad you had such a great trip. And exercise is a great solution for many problems, including when we get stuck in our writing.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Yes. I can solve all of my problems on a long trail.
Debs Carey says
I’ve not used walking (for any distance) as a method to work out a story, but I have used it to work the knots out of life, so it should work. A potential worry is that with my aged brain, will I remember it all when I get back to my computer? The more I think about this idea (a few people have suggested it this month), the more I’m convinced of the need to try it. So I’ll thank you – also – for putting this thought into my head.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I hope you do give it a try. Let us know if it works for you!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Quite the adventure! But you did it.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’m already asking, “What next?”
Patricia Anne Pierce-garcia Schaack says
Hi,
Very nice pics and I’m happy you had a great time.
I like to walk and go to my fitness center when I’m stuck. Sometimes, I listen to music or maybe work on another manuscript. Or I find myself lost in the story of a book I’m reading.
Have a great month of June.
Shalom aleichem
C. Lee McKenzie says
Reading someone else’s work is always a great way to “unstick.” Hope all is well with you, Pat.
Mike Boyd says
What an awesome adventure, Lee! Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos. I hope you’ll post more of them as time and space allow.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi Mike,
I’m already wishing I could head out again. It was a great trip.