journal

Black dog sitting outside a tent looking towards red rock hills during early morning or dusk

Dry twisted tree with green foliage on a red rocky slope with large red rock cliffs and a clear blue sky in the background

Red rocky hillside with dry grass, patches of orange lichen on stones, and a twisted tree against a clear blue sky

Many of the photos below (and the video) are from my March trip to extreme Western Colorado and Utah. Wide open spaces, perfect solitude.

That country south and west of Grand Junction, near Naturita, Paradox, and Bedrock has the same rock formations as Moab. (and is only 40 miles from Moab). I learned the backroads out there when I worked for the Bureau of Land Management in the late 1970's. Returning every few years like I do feels like reconnecting with my past. My job with the BLM was the first one I had out of college.

Ny friend Tricia and I had some enjoyable trips to Utah's canyon country, but now I find I prefer the time alone, just me and the dogs. Alone there is nothing to get in the way of how good it feels to be in wild country, and the connection I have with all my border collies. When you get old you know what makes you tick.

Some of the thumbnails and linking photos at the bottom of this page are from my previous trips to Western Colorado and Utah, since 2008. It is an amazing part of the world, that people come from all over to visit. In the times I have been in Arches I always come across tourists from Asia.

Tent set up on rocky desert terrain with two black and white border collies near orange-red rock formations at sunset

Bright red desert plant growing low on rocky terrain with a sunset and distant hills in the background

Man wearing a cowboy hat kneeling outdoors, holding a metal cup, with a black and white dog resting its paws on his knee

Beau will be 10 years old next month. What a wonderful time we've had his whole life; lots of shared adventures and wandering. It's true that having border collies gets me up and moving, just to see the excitement and passion they have for wide open spaces and mountains. It is something we have in common.

Beau has been Jess’s teacher. All the good that resides in his heart has been passed down to hers.