Nature Journal 3: Tandy Hills Nature Walk and Desert Solitaire

Since we had lovely weather this weekend, I went on a sunset walk through the Tandy Hills Natural Area yesterday. It’s surrounded by city buildings and noises, yet my experience was peaceful and refreshing. Because there weren’t many people around, I was able to admire the birds flying overhead, slight breeze, and radiant sunset hues. The sunset was my favorite part by far. I attached a picture I took early on in the setting process, but the sky was filled with pink and orange soon after. Reflecting upon Abbey’s observations of sunsets encompassing “every named and unnamed hue” in Desert Solitaire made we realize that every sunset is different in color, texture, and feeling (Abbey 207). I often take a sunset’s beauty for granted without truly appreciating its uniqueness each day. On another note, the trail was lined with signs about respecting the natural flora and fauna by remaining on the path. This precaution is necessary because many people would wander off and likely interfere with the landscape. However, it was disheartening as it tainted the natural experience but understandable given the park’s urban location. The flora was mostly dry due to the time of year, and my app didn’t properly identify the plant species. Therefore, I searched on the Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area iNaturalist page and found out I observed a prairie grass called little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and a native wildflower called American basketflower (Plectocephalus americanus). The prairie grass is the reddish-gold grass lining the trail while the wildflower is in the foreground of my sunset picture. Though I prefer multicolored fields of flowers and grasses, the beige expanse of plants highlighted the cyclicity and predictability of nature. Winter will pass soon, bringing spring colors back. There is great beauty in what is to come. 

I found Abbey’s chapter titled “The Dead Man at Grandview Point” fascinating because it emphasized the beauty embedded within the harshness of nature and an interesting perspective on life. He mentioned all the spectacular sights in view from where they found the man’s body (Cataract Canyon, Needles Country, mesas, mountains, etc.), yet he is burdened by the heat, flies, dehydration, and smells around him. Nature has proven time and time again that it is more powerful and mysterious than many realize. I think it is vital to understand your surroundings—particularly when venturing to new areas. Nature is predictable with seasons, sunrises, sunsets, and weather, yet unpredictable with every variation among these categories. Sunsets are always different and weather changes every hour, highlighting the intrigue that Abbey and I possess regarding nature. The idea of a “plow of mortality” also stood out to me (Abbey 214). It is a bleak perspective on life and death but fitting given that Abbey is usually enveloped in nature. The outlook that death simply makes room for the living is easy to accept in theory/nature but difficult in reality. It is a thought-provoking idea that portrays humans and nature as kindred and not separate entities, placing everything on a level playing field.