(I wrote this a few weeks ago but appear not to have published it, oops!)

I thoroughly appreciated President Byerly’s interpretation of the National Parks system as an aesthetic manipulation of the American landscape (as I read it from my sun-baked seat on the quad yesterday afternoon) because I felt she explored it philosophically and with passion. Though I’m sure you’re all feeling beaten over the head with it by this point, this piece clearly reminded me of my trek around some of America’s National Parks in the West/Southwest. As we toured a number of the parks I was often annoyed by the hoards of humans with their selfie sticks and flashing cameras all crowded around the same “scenic view” or “outlook point”. And yet these are the places we feel compelled to go to because it feels as though someone is telling us, “hey- over here, this is what you’re looking for!”

My particular experience with the parks was very naive and unplanned and wholly beautiful. For the majority of the trip I was only with my boyfriend Sacha, who is at least as naive and unplanned as I, so our curiosities about the parks and what they could offer us were usually fulfilled- no matter how that seemed to turn out (many a sore limb and grumbling tummy did result form our choices). I thought it might be interesting to include here some photos that I feel resulted from some of our treks off the beaten path as well as some that are so cliche they merit a cringe or two. I would like to think of these ideas here as I think Byerly’s philosophy might dictate- as either photographs or photocopies.

~photocopies~

a tripod shot of the Colorado Flatirons so touristy my CO-native friend Topher (shown right) laughed and ran away moments after the shot.

the “Titanic pose” at perhaps the most crowded “overlook” we visited, at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

~photographs?~

at Arches National Park, Sacha and I took a detour into what we thought might have been a trail but turned out definitely not to be. I would imagine this isn’t a shot you see on the postcards.

very touristy but striving for a “different” take on the “Sapphire Pool” at Yellowstone National Park.

a shot from the previously blogged-about explorative hike up into what we hoped would be bear country. in this moment the view felt untouched, and I think represented an appreciation for the park (Yellowstone) not tarnished by its economically relevant beauty.