Notes from Westwater

This totem pole is located at the entrance to the Saik’uz First Nation community on the east side of Nulki Lake in British Columbia, Canada. The stylized animals and birds, human figures and faces, and supernatural beings depicted can tell the history of families, communities, and nations or serve a deeper purpose. Merry Palmer photo

Prince George and Vanderhoof

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” ~ Socrates After our long detour to Valemount, British Columbia, we packed up the next morning and headed for Prince George, where we had an appointment to have our 4-Runner serviced. We heard...

A beautiful cactus blossom. Merry Palmer photo

Golf, God, and nursing homes part two

My aunt Helen, age 90, is a prayer warrior. You’d never know it by looking at her. She’s hunched with age, has short, sandy-colored hair, a long, narrow face, and what she describes as Bugs Bunny teeth. But make no mistake, she packs power in her slender frame. As the youngest in my dad’s family,...

Sand Dune on the Barracks Trail, Photo by Merry Palmer

Resilience: the Barracks Trail and Mount Carmel Junction

In the spring, we traveled to the Kanab area, trailering our ATV behind. Our destination? A campground somewhere near the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park where we planned to meet our daughter and her husband. Since we arrived hours before they did, we pulled into the park where ATV’s, sandboarders...

Searching for and feeling “The Force”

“Pray to have eyes to see God’s hand in your life and in the world around you. Ask Him to tell you if He is really there—if He knows you. Ask Him how He feels about you. And then listen.” – President Russell M. Nelson When Obi-Wan Kenobi gives Luke Skywalker his father’s lightsaber, Luke opens it...

Whistling Swans among the thousands of waterfowl at Fish Springs. Ted Palmer photo

Ugly-duckling swans at Fish Springs

Families packed the San Juan High School auditorium, ranging all the way from babies to grandparents. A cacophony of sounds rose as friends chatted, babies cried, and young ones ran up and down the aisles until their parents corralled them. The lights blinked, dimmed, and a spotlight focused on the...

Wild horses running free

“You must always see with a big vision, / and if you keep your mind calm / there will be a way / there will be light.” – Chiura Obata The wild herd galloped across the desert with tails flowing, manes rippling, ears back, and muscles working under shining coats. Exhilaration filled me at the sight...

Building that once housed Blanding Trading Post, Photo by Merry Palmer

Blanding’s Forgotten History

Aiyanna walked into the Blanding Trading Post, clutching the one-dollar trading token in her hand. Earlier that week she’d sold a blanket to the trader. He had examined it carefully, pleased with its beauty, symmetry, and durability, and he understood the spirit pathway she’d woven into the border...

The climb to the Bandara Cinder Cone near Grants, NM. Ted Palmer photo

Land of Frozen Fire

Beira is described as a one-eyed, blue-skinned crone carrying a staff which she uses to freeze everything. The mythical queen of winter is considered the Scots’ creator goddess, mother of all their gods and goddesses, but I also surmised that she loves to surprise humans with snow storms. We’d seen...

Castle Rock and Angel Peak

I believe in angels, the kind that heaven sends. I’m surrounded by angels, but I call them my friends. – Anonymous We could see the angel from a distance with her wings outspread, towering over the badlands at a height of 7,000 feet. I complained that she didn’t really look like an angel, but if I...

The spectacular purple hoodoos in Red Canyon. Merry Palmer photo

The Purple Hoodoos in Red Canyon

“Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” – Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz Ted and Kenidee shimmied up a steep hill covered with shale. Taking a deep breath, I dug my fingers and toes into the clay like a beetle and started after them. I made it half way up before I started slipping....