I'm just back from an unexpected trip out of town to see a friend. I snapped photos from the car on the long drive there and back.
The western landscape always makes me think of largeness. And whenever I think of the wildness and largeness of the west, I think of Wallace Stegner.
And when I think of him, I think of this passage from one of his books I read some years back.
Largeness is a lifelong matter. You grow because you are not content not to. You are like a beaver that chews constantly because if it doesn't its teeth grow long and lock. You grow because you are a grower: you're large because you can't stand to be small
-Wallace Stegner
One of my favorite quotes from one of the best writers for all times. That landscape is a perfect example, too. Thanks.
Stegner, a favorite writer, but before that, a favorite teacher. Thanks for the memory jogging quote. xox
Stupendous photos. I’m longing for a road trip, and I miss the Rockies! Really great quote. xoDonna
Love, love the quote. Love, love the cloud pix. If I could paint anything well, I would paint clouds…and ripples on water. I do have clouds painted on my sunroom ceiling, but they look a little like cotton bolls. 😉
Very cool! Lucky girl, I love a road trip like that. Thanks for the excerpt. It fits.
Oh yes; there is an unimaginable mystery and wonder about this grand and free thing called ‘the west’ that calls most piercingly to a person from the East. You understand.
Aint it the truth.
I had a cat named Calico.
Happy trails.
Oh yes, the high desert east of L.A. Did you get to Calico Ghost Town? Barstow, where all the pistachio nuts are grown. Victorville, home of the Air Force base. Apple Valley, Lucerne, on the way to Big Bear Lake, a lovely spot in the San Bernardino Mtns. I know this area well. Many trips up and down the I-15 to San Diego and points on the coast.
The high desert is indeed a special place. Many don’t appreciate it, but I have loved it for many years.
This landscape we live in is amazing, and that’s too small of a word. Love the view from the top of the hill, down across the desert and the shadows.
Wallace Stegner…possibly my favorite author of all time. Love his books, and I love your awesome photos!
xo
the quote rocks Mary Ann. I love the process and motion that comes with largeness and I get to see your views through your eyes and see the moment that clicked the quote from the vastness of your whirring mind. LOVE!!!! Your photos give me – ‘ a gasp of delight’ Maira Kalman. I picked up My Favorite Things yesterday while trying to get some shopping in aided by my daughter since I am not ambulatory at the moment but life still goes on a chuggin’ and indeed, coming here is always a ‘gasp of delight’
Love the images and love the quote, thank you!
I totally love trees. But. You surely get a different view of the world when there are no trees. A wider view. A larger view……
Love the quote — I have known people who have stopped growing, and “locked” is a good way to describe their sorry state. They tend to put the kibosh on growth in the people around them, too. Not good.
A great set of images! I especially love the one where the backs of the vehicles are between us and the really pointy mountains below the clouds. Wow.
(I can’t help myself — please be awefully awefully careful, taking pics while driving….)
oh yes, straight to my heart. LOVE these road trip pics.
What a wonderful quote and your photos are wonderful-but my favorite is the third from the top
Love the quote from the book…..so true!!!
Stunning landscape!
By the way: that quote explains so much about myself! 😉
Well I am growing because my dinner seems to default to buttered popcorn every night, a true comfort food. Except my clothes seem to be uncomfortable with the result. Whoever invented elastic should be given the Kennedy’s honor or a knighthood if an English person. Or whatever recognition the inventor’s country bestows. Nice pictures.
Fabulous!
Fantastic photos, as if the world rode by for you to shoot.
I love your wanderlust and your words. Great quote, GREAT!
Gorgeous photos. Perfect quote.xo
Looked all over for the like button. I miss southern CA especially Calico and the Mojave…Joshua trees – a large land
It’s true. I keep pushing forward, too. There is a need to know everything I can possibly learn till I cannot do it anymore. I was bred for dependency and I realized one day at a time that it was not what I really wanted. I never thought to question the direction I was pointed to. Eventually life taught me what I needed to do. I love your photos of the sky. You take beautiful photos.
Thanks for the reminder of Wallace Stegner. I think it is time to reread the man. “You’re large because you can’t stand to be small.” I do not want to be small. No. I don’t.
Your photos are stunning (as usual).
XO
oh how i love the largeness of the west, mary ann. thank you for this pictures… and the wallace stegner quote.
xoxo