Sad to say, our families are scattered over the US of A. Given a ruler, pencil and a paper map I could draw a pretty straight latitudinal across America marking our family homes in Maryland, Colorado, and Northern California. It takes longer than we want to drive to Maryland and it's not exactly a short jaunt to Colorado Springs, Co by car, but we enjoy the drive so much we've made it many times over the years. It was time to go home.
East of the Sierras, we face a couple of long road days across high desert, the True West. It is a rugged, spare landscape. Home of Big Sky, country music, a high ratio of cheerful cashiers, ranchers, geologists, Mormons, Right Wing Politics, casinos, and if you hit the right mark on the map you will come across some spectacular Red Rock Country.
We usually take Highway 50, called the Loneliest Highway in the country.
To me it's some of the most beautiful nowhere; long expanses of sage and rock and dirt. Dry mountain ranges in the distance with towns few and far between. It's a real change for a lush flower lover. Where are they? Out here there they are a rarity; mainly wild, small, and subtle. Which frankly is a jarring, but appreciated change. Sometimes it's good to take a break from the abundance and recharge. I like the way it forces me to slow down and find the beauty in what first appears to be an inhospitable environment.The design elements are light, shape, color, and weather. So grateful these huge expanses of our American landscape are still here.
