Canyonlands National Park

April 19^th and 20 the National Park entrance fees were eliminated to kick off the beginning of National Park Week. I celebrated at Canyonlands, the largest of the "The Big Five" in Utah. I expected to be underwhelmed since I already visited the other four. However, on Hwy. 313 before I entered the park I realized I was in for yet another unique experience. Vast.  Expansive.  I determined that video was the only way to capture this place but it turns out that my photographs captured the depth better. 

I choose the Upheavel Dome as my first adventure. I loved the way I had to get personal with the rocks, trees and moss to get there. Immediately I was connected with my environment. Since I’m experiencing a great upheaval at the moment in my life this place resonated with my spirit. See a short video here...

http://youtu.be/ENs8mXsfl8k

The night was the biggest surprise. After Bryce and Great Basin, the two parks that tout their night skies, I didn’t expect Canyonlands to compete. Of course, the phase of the moon matters a lot. The first time I awoke after drifting off, the sky was filled with stars. Magically, I drifted back off only to be awoken later by a bright waning moon and the stars were gone. In my dreams I unzipped the night sky. 

Since my second day at the park was Easter I did a performance piece, Contrasts, wearing my Easter dress, pink cap and I carried a basket of 2 plastic eggs. I was interested in the juxtaposition of the pastel “Easter colors” of the dress; the harsh plastic qualities of the eggs; the natural twined basket; and the environment of Canyonlands. Not one person questioned my attire (at least to my knowledge) but there were comments about my positioning of the basket of eggs in the landscape and taking photographs.