© 2020 Romi Boon All Rights Reserved
Our mornings at the Art Expo (in Scottsdale, Arizona), often start with a bike ride through the desert; it’s such an awesome and privileged way to start a winter day. The sandy trail is narrow, undulating and curves around a myriad of saguaro trees and desert plants; it's an entertainingly delightful ride! While cycling, I’ve noticed many great compositions, and have pledged to return with my camera, but only when the lighting was right. On this particular day, as the sun rose and the blue sky was awakening, the dark grey clouds were highlighted in yellow, the contrast was striking. I remembered a grouping of chollas that were not far from our RV so I gathered up my camera gear and hightailed it to that very spot; my timing was perfect!
This could be anywhere but on this particular day, while hiking alone through a meandering path (near Valemount, BC), I was reflecting on freedom and boundaries. I was here, in my RV, free of all my regular responsibilities, free to do whatever I wanted, and free to roam wherever my feet would take me. As the trail meandered, I reflected on the value of freedom, responsibilities and boundaries and concluded that we need recognize these, our human needs. Now when I look at this photo, I'm reminded that life is like this meandering trail; there are boundaries for us to follow yet we're free to meander. It was a welcomed break for which I was thankful. That said, I was also very thankful I didn't encounter a bear (which I did on a later visit!).
On a country road, just outside the Monument Valley National Park, I was happy to get some prized photographs, like this one. Here, at day’s end, the sunset lighting was incredibly vivid; it was spectacular! I was here to capture the sun-kissed Monument buttes in the far off distance but time slipped by (taking other photos) and I hadn't pre-planned a monumental sunset shot. As the golden rays of the sunset became vibrant, I spotted possible location but some trees and power polls were in the way. So to avoid them, I ran through sage and over rocks (I’d forgotten the threat of rattlesnakes!) until I found the perfect spot however by then the buttes were in the shade (darn)..... but then, I spotted this tree, "oh my!".
