Nature Journal- Arches and Abbey

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In class, we read and discussed some pieces written by Edward Abbey. I loved his humor and how he described the beauty of Arches National Park. While reading, I was instantly taken back to my trip to Arches about 10 years ago. At the time, I was only 11, so I didn’t have a huge appreciation for National Parks and how amazing Arches actually is. My parents wanted to go mountain biking and hiking through the whole park in the dead of summer, but my brother and I were not having it. We would’ve much rather stayed in town and gone to the shops or do an activity that involved being inside in the AC. Looking back on it now, I can’t imagine ever not wanting to go explore the beauty of Arches National Park. I would love to go back now. Deserts are usually described as desolate and flat. There’s not much greenery and life, yet Arches is so striking. I think it’s important to have perspective when you’re observing nature. If there are any preconceived thoughts in your head, it ruins the experience of being in nature and appreciating it for what it is. I think there’s beauty in the differences and imperfections of nature. Abbey definitely did a great job for appreciating nature in its natural state, rather than encouraging nature that is modified it to be more appealing to humans. National Parks do a great job of making sure that the areas stay as close to natural as possible, which I think is awesome! Abbey wouldn’t be too happy about all the tourism and parking lots, roads, etc. that go into making these areas accessible, but I do think that he would be happy that people are getting out and at least experiencing it. Especially the arches of Arches National Park, they are such a feat of nature!


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