This Earth Story is a tale told in orange as we celebrate the grandeur of the earth revealed in brownish, yellowish, orangey colors of America’s state and national parks.
Orange is the happiest color.
Frank Sinatra
In the photo above, hikers make their way around the striated rocks of Zion National Park. And from our car window, we captured a bit of the grandeur of this park as we gazed upward, never daring to pull over for fear of what might lie ahead for us.
At Mesa Verde, rock ledges form a ceiling and floor for residents who built a home protected by the elements.
Rugged, red-orange boulders at Valley of Fire (near Las Vegas, Nevada) contrast beautifully with clear, unblemished blue Western sky.
Closer looks reveal undulations and unusual formations possibly from rushing waters centuries ago and tall formations cradle little rocks below, inviting us all to move closer and take note of this old yet beautiful Earth Story.
To really be a part of the landscape, you have to move in and on, above and around the orange landscape. It’s the only way you can allow the earth to speak to you and tell its version of the story.
The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.
Psalm 89:11
Occasionally, we see evidence of man’s response to earth. Petroglyphs at Valley of Fire reveal conversations and earth stories told by civilizations long before our time.
The earth is speaking. We just have to listen.
To read and see more Earth Stories, head to Amy’s post for breathtaking photos set up by Mother Nature herself.
Travel the earth,
Rusha & Bert
Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #193 ā They Say Itās Your Birthdayā¦ | The World Is A Book...
Anne Sandler
Beautiful examples Rusha! Thanks for bringing back memories of our visits to these parks.
Oh, the Places We See
Personally, weād take a do-over at any of them!!! Love our parks.
Anne Sandler
Me too, but my husband is done with travel. My last trip to Sedona was with a girlfriend.
Oh, the Places We See
Sedona is pretty no matter when you see it it with whom. ā¤ļø
Dawn
Beautiful photos! Love the rich colors. Iām glad to see youāve included the petroglyphs; not everyone knows about those in the Valley of Fire. š
Oh, the Places We See
Those petroglyphs were so intriguing. We searched several places for them. Thanks for commenting.
dawnkinster
You are in my favorite part of the country, though I haven’t been there in many many years. So cool to see it again from your perspective. Beautiful images!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. These were taken quite awhile ago, but the color richness has stayed in my memory. Would love a return trip!
Leya
Earth in petroglyphs and orange looks inviting! I understand you had a great tour, and this is one of the places I would have visited if I lived over there. Thank you for the beautiful tour!
Oh, the Places We See
Youāre so welcome!
JohnRH
Excellent. I love the desert. I like to say ‘a thousand shades of brown’.
Sue
Great post, Rusha
Tina Schell
Wonderful choices this week Rusha. I love that you chose them by color and your opening image gave us a nice perspective on the size of the rock formation. Zion is a great example of earth’s majesty. Do you suppose WAAAAYYYY back when, our ancestors thought of petroglyphs as graffiti?! š
Oh, the Places We See
Youāre right! I hadnāt thought about graffiti, but youāre probably correct. Early texting, too, I suppose!!!
WanderingCanadians
The landscape at Zion National Park looks beautiful with all the interesting rock formations and colours. That must have been neat to see the petroglyphs and learn about the connection of the area with the people who lived here many many years agos.
Oh, the Places We See
It was a good trip: much to see and a crafts show, too!!! I wanted a handmade knife but would have no idea what to do with one!!! We love happening upon something unusual. Thanks for taking a look at these formations. Theyāre even better in person!
Toonsarah
I love this sort of landscape – the orange glow of the rocks really leaps out of your images! I’ve visited some of these places but not the Valley of Fire which looks incredible. If ever I’m in that region again I’ll be sure to include it on the itinerary. Thanks for introducing me to it š
Oh, the Places We See
Itās not as advertised as the national parks, but the features, colors, and petroglyphs merit a stop. Thanks for your comments.
Priti
Wow beautiful National park in orange colour thanks for sharing ššš„°
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much for taking a look at the oranges this week! I love our parks!!!
Priti
It’s my pleasure , š stay blessed ā£ļøš
Wind Kisses
The colors are brilliant. The rocks tell so many interesting stories. Very cool. We will be in valley of the fire this week, pending some back stuff with my husband. Keep your fingers crossed for us. Your photos make me want to run there now.
Oh, the Places We See
Youāll love Valley of Fire. Itās smaller but with greater opportunities to have special moments by yourselves. We LOVED the petroglyphs.
Wind Kisses
Fun. Iām looking forward to it. Funny to think petroglyphs are pretty commonplace here in AZ. Interestingly enough because there is still so much unknown about them itās alway fun to TRY to figure in out. Ancient blogging, isnāt it?
Prior...
So creative to have this post delivered to us through the color orange (and earth tones)
Well
Done
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. There were a lot of oranges in my photos, so it all fell into place.
Prior...
It really did unfold well
Amy
These orange and golden colors of NP, valley, and landscape are majestic. To be able to see earth stories told by civilizations long before our time is quite moving. Thank you for this grand tour through your lens, Rusha.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks, Amy. Iāve thought of several other posts I could have written. This was a good topic!!
Amy
Thank you, Rusha for liking this topic and enjoying other posts. š