I stayed near Cannon Beach, Oregon, my last night on the Pacific coast. The following morning, before I began the three-day drive home, I made one last stop at the beach. I was farther south on Cannon Beach than I’d ever been before and was surprised to realize I could see the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse from there (to the left, below). I took a few photos, then began the long trip home.
I drove all day and stayed in Idaho. Then I drove all day the next day and stayed in Utah. Finally, on the third day, I arrived back in New Mexico’s northwest corner. At that point, all I wanted was to go home. But when Shiprock hove into view (below), surrounded by storm clouds and rain, I changed my mind. I had to take a photo right then.
When I finally arrived home and looked at my photos, I realized there was a marked similarity between my last photos in Oregon and my first in New Mexico … with no other photos in between. I would never have noticed had they not been next to each other on the camera card.
The storm drama along the western edge of the state that day was so compelling that I made a split-second decision to drive south to Gallup, then east to Albuquerque, rather than taking the faster way home. As far as I’m concerned, the brooding photo I took a bit later, south of Shiprock, was totally worth the extra time (below).1
On a Related Note …
My absolutely most favorite beach is in Bandon, Oregon. I think it’s especially beautiful at low tide, particularly when seen from above.
A few years back, I accidentally ran into a group called Circles in the Sand.2 They build extensive labyrinths when the tide is especially low.
Each labyrinth is unique and, when the tide comes back in, it’s completely obliterated. They’re truly labors of love and ultra-clear examples of the transience of our world.3
Only a photographer — or someone similarly insane — would drive into a storm rather than away from it.
Since then, I’ve timed my visits to Bandon to coincide with Circles in the Sand’s labyrinths.
Much like Tibetan Buddhist sand mandalas.
Love them! Especially the storm photos! 💜