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Quote of the Day: Far Beyond the World I’ve Known
Few things cause my mind to wander quite like driving across the seemingly endless expanse that is the American Southwest. As a kid, one of my favorite television programs was Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, and the opening theme song to the series pilot contains a haunting question:
Long before this life of mine, long before this time. What was there, who cared to make it begin? Is it forever, or will it all end? Searching my past for the things that I’ve seen, is it my life or just something I dreamed?
And I have searched far and wide, from the Wayward Pines-like town of Moab, Utah to the out-of-this world burg of Roswell, New Mexico, and through the wind-swept streets of Lubbock, Texas on the Llano Estacado. And even across the seas. The answers yet elude me. Perhaps I am not meant to find them. Perhaps none of us are.
Published in Religion & Philosophy
Lovely, Mike.
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Thanks Mike. I have felt this wonder driving in many areas of this great land. It is awesome.
Gee, Mike LaR., I am puzzled by this.
I thought I remembered you were Catholic? Read your Bible. The answers to most of these questions have been given to you, and you have been told that you would not comprehend the answers to the follow-up questions.
Begin with Job. There is a reason that it is the oldest Book. It was given to the Hebrew Children in the days before Moses. It was the place of beginning to walk with G-d.
I agree. The American Southwest is fascinating and other world-esk. I’ve driven through a bunch myself. You have forgotten to mention Arizona. The desert in the south, the Grand Canyon in the center, the mountains to the north, the meteor crater in the west, and Petrified Forest and Sedona in the east. Huge variety, all exquisite.
It’s remarkable how many totally different landscapes and climates we have in our country.
I watched every episode of Buck Rogers with my dad. Looking back, I’m sure it was cheesy, but as a kid, it was the coolest show in the universe.
When one hits the existential wall, there is only one solution – consolation.
i.e. … Cheerleaders!!!!
I’m a big fan of Arizona and the sites that you mention, but your geography is a bit mixed up. The Grand Canyon is in the far north. The major mountain expanse is in the east central region (the White Mountains), though there are significant mountain ranges with pine woods even in the desert south. The meteor crater is somewhat northeast, and Sedona is close to the middle.
It seems to me that the principal answer is either yes or no. Either there is something more than this life, something Divine, or not. If not, then that’s the answer. If so, then it’s hard for me to imagine that we’re not meant to find it.
How, then, to find the Divine, if it is there? Here’s a thought. Ask. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”
Don’t ask me. Ask God. Then listen.
I would never have guessed. : -P
Thank you for the correction. I wasn’t looking at a map, just going by memory.
Thanks Mike. Wife and I are touring the SW this summer…gonna add some of these locations to our itinerary.
Erin Gray was my dream, but Twiki has been my life.
I just made the trip by car from California to Michigan with my daughter, and within 48 hours we traveled from the wondrous and awe-inspiring canyons of Zion NP, across the Rockies in a snow squall, and on to Arches NP.
In our cities and suburbs, we influence our surroundings to please ourselves, contributing the clatter and bustle of daily living, always building great things, large and small. In the quiet canyons and arches of the southwest, there is a sense of unwavering changelessness; you have no power there, except to reflect upon the precious, fleeting beauty of life.
Indeed.
I actually did make it to Arizona briefly. I visited Four Corners and then drove through Teec Nos Pos before catching Highway 46 to head east across northern New Mexico.
Yep, and it had lots of ’70s kitch. Loved it.
Yep. The United States is practically a world unto itself.
Preach it, brother!
Texas alone has four distinct climates.
You’re welcome. The Southwest is an almost magical place. Loved it ever since my days growing up in El Paso.
Timeless and excellent advice. Thanks.
Bidi, bidi, bidi!
Looks like we just missed each other. Would’ve been nice taking in Arches National Park with two foxy ladies. ?
Yep, and I’ve lived in all of em!