Early morning sunrise photography in Monument Valley and Valley of the Gods. Another random and chance meeting with a kindred spirit in Valley of the Gods.
The chance meeting was with a gentleman named Eric who happened upon us as we were parked in the middle of the road (blocking it) while setting up for that one perfect shot in Valley of the Gods. It was still early morning, quiet and mystical. I was startled when Eric drove around the corner not anticipating that any other sane human would be up much less out in the middle of nowhere in the early morning hours. The only other people I had seen were a maniacal German tourist (I know he was German because I was at the campground office while he was checking in) and a handful of boondocking campers still cradling their morning coffee. I say the German was maniacal because as I first started out this morning to catch the landscape shots toward Monument Valley, he raced passed me (think peeling out, dirt and dust flying and hurriedly in and out of his car) in a rented Mustang and proceeded to stop at every dirt turnout snapping a photo then racing to the next dirt turnout and repeat. He then screamed passed me going the other direction back to the campground. I was further startled when Eric parked his car and got out…middle of nowhere, girl and a dog, a lone guy with a beard…my keen instincts perked up and I started noticing details. He wore clothing that gave him away as an outdoorsy guy but not lacking means, he was driving a Subaru with a mountain bike on the back and a Yakima skybox on the top, his car was packed with outdoor camping “stuff”, he instantly smiled when he saw Dolce. As he approached I checked my internal “safe/unsafe” meter – he landed well within safe. He walked toward me in his tan Eddie Bauer wrinkle-free travel pants, forest green Arcteryx fleece and Keen sandals…all smiles and sweetness. It was easy to drop my Scorpion guard. Dolce, using her classic golden retriever people-ometer also gave him a green light!
An afternoon/evening photography tour of Mystery Valley and Teardrop Arch whose beauty blew me away and what’s more, I shared inspired ideas about healing with my guide who is studying to be a Medicine Man in the ancient Navajo traditions. As some know, I am studying and practicing Shamanic healing. I have not yet begun any kind of official study with a master trained in ancient ways. I am partially self-taught through books or practice and partially taught through workshops and teaching by other shamanic practitioners. My exposure is to what is commonly called Western Shamanism - brought to the USA in the 21st century; a blending of all of the common aspects of ancient shamanism from various cultures. Shamanic healing is believed to be the most ancient healing tradition crossing the most cultures while retaining the most similarities. In a nutshell, it is likely the oldest and safest form of healing ever successfully practiced…I refrain myself from a tirade on modern pharmaceutical medicine/healing. Hearing the voice of my loving partner, I am reminded that everything has a purpose and a place…reluctantly, even modern medicine…AND, it is my intention and goal to expose people to options ~ especially free (or relatively inexpensive), SAFE (with no deadly or harmful side effects) options that an individual is in personal, accountable, authentic control of (such as Shamanism, prayer healing, Reiki, Life Coaching, etc…).
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