I’m at the beginning of a long journey. I plan to post about it. You’ll see where I end up – which I myself ain’t sure.

As meticulous as I am in making lists of things to pack in my truck for long journeys, I did a pretty good job getting everything together in short order. Long road trips are my specialty.

My travel vector is northeast, ultimately towards New York. I’m going to do it in a meandering manner, and satiate curiosities, even the most extraneous ones that most have never heard about.

But people haven’t heard of them – like a man-made ponderosa forest in the middle of Nebraska or a cypress river in Southern Illinois – because people we’re never taught how to be curious about the natural world around them. Why is for another time, however.

Anyways, I left Sedona at about 1:30, and headed north towards Cameron, Arizona. I was considering going to Lipan Point on the South Rim rim for sunset photos, but I’ve been to the South Rim literally a thousand times, and the North Rim far less.

So, across the Painted Desert from Cameron to Lee’s Ferry to Jacob Lake to the very tip of Cape Royal where I got the featured photo above I drove. I wanted to see what Walton’s Throne would look like at sunset. I’ll make my final determination after subjecting my Samsungs and Nikons to lightroom.

I really wanted to see the fire damage on the North Rim from last summer’s Dragon Bravo fire, which was the 8th biggest fire in Arizona history. Though I did definitely see large swathes of completely burned ponderosa’s, aspens and furs, I don’t think I was at the very heart of the devastation, and would probably have to put forth a pretty big effort to find it.

But I don’t care that much about the destruction. Burnt trees aren’t a novelty, unfortunately. And, frankly, because I’ve been to the North Rim five or six times before, including a big trip last year right before that fire started, I realized I’m more curious to see new things, especially in Colorado

So, right now I’m in the Kaibab National Forest just outside Jacob Lake at 7900 where it’s warm enough (and I have signal).

Tomorrow, Monday June 1st, I think I’ll drive to Page and take a scenic road to Kayenta, Arizona which I’ve heard is outstanding. At Kayenta is Monument Valley, which I may go into, and I may not. I may continue on to Moab or on may head to Durango.

I’ll go with the wind. Direct my path, Lord. Direct my thoughts, words, and actions all day everyday so it as to maximize my efforts to bring you glory and gratitude for the fact that I am alive.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.