I feel connected. It is a beautiful day to watch, listen, and to learn. A fast moving storm has moved in from the west bringing high winds and intense rain. Dark, ominous clouds blanket the sky as a driving rain starts to pummel the ground. Distant mesas become veiled in a misty shroud as the entire area takes on an aura of mystical wonder.
More intense thunder electrifies the already sumptuous experience.
An endless variety of bird sounds blend splendidly with the sound of water trickling over the rocks, resulting in a soothing ballad of nature. The smell of the trees, the varied sounds of the land, the feeling of the cool water, and the sight of such total beauty all combine to form a complete natural high. Being at a higher elevation than most of the other National Parks in the Colorado Plateau, its climate is a bit more temperate and therefore more inviting for vegetation. Massive eroded sandstone formations surrounded with lush blankets of green are not unusual here. Plenty of rivers, streams and creeks meander around the lofty monolithic sandstone formations which seem to dominate the view from just about anywhere in the park.