Monday, June 20, 2011

Of Sons and Salt

Ben on the Salt Flats_1
My heart is heavy and sad today.  My son is leaving to go back to Colorado.

Ben at Saltair_2
This house is going to feel so empty without him here.  It's been wonderful having him near, even when he's still in bed sleeping like he is now.  Just knowing he's close is so good.

Saltair
We had some good times this week.  I can't tell if these pictures are blurry, or if it's just my teary eyes.  We took Ben to Saltair at the Great Salt Lake.  The water level is so high.  In the seven years that I've been here, you usually have to walk for at least ten minutes to get to the water.

sand textures at GSL
I love the textures the rain and wind make in the sand.

Metaphor Tree of Utah
Continuing west, we came to this sculpture, Metaphor: the tree of Utah, out on the Salt Flats.  It's huge and beautiful against the blue sky and the emptiness of the surrounding area.

sea of salt
More sculpture and me waxing poetic.

mirage
This was my first trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats too.  I can't believe I have lived here seven years and am just now finding my way there.  I guess I was waiting for Ben.  I struggle to find words to describe the otherworldly beauty of this place.  Do you see how that mountain on the left seems to be surrounded by water?  And on the right it looks like white crested waves rolling in?  The "water" is a mirage.  The waves are actually snow capped peaks in the distance, all of it reflected in the mirage.  Crazy beautiful.

Salt Flats
It looks cold and snowy, doesn't it?  It was warm and sunny as we walked out on the flats, some spots sinking from all the rain; in others, the salt crust crackled under our feet or held firm.

I'm going to go wake my boy now, so I can have a few more hours with him before he flies away.

I hope your week is off to a good start.  I'll see you Wednesday!

6 comments:

  1. I was at the salt flats when my daughter made her transition, have not been back yet, it is a strange place....

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  2. salt of amniotic fluid, salt of our tears, of Mother Pacifica...

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  3. Aww... :( I know you'll miss him! So glad he could come out from CO, and what a gorgeous place those salt flats are! I'm just about the only Mormon I know that isn't intimately knowledgeable about your area- I've never heard of these flats :)

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  4. Greetings from Southern California

    I am your newest follower. I invite you to visit TOGB and become a follower, if you want too.

    Take care and have a nice day :-)

    BTW, Great Photos!

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  5. Gorgeous photos! What a wonderful place to visit with your son.

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