Tracks

There I was, in the midst of a blizzard, when I spotted a moose out of his element. The poor creature, more accustomed to soft bogs and willow branches, found itself on a highway, slipping on the icy surface. The road, blanketed with eight inches of snow, seemed to have caught the moose off guard. With visibility near zero, it struggled in front of my car’s headlights.

This scene took me back to a memory in Zion Park, where the footprints in the sand made me think about how our paths, so natural to us, might be alien to the rest of the planet. Yet, here we were, our paths crossing unexpectedly.

Texture

Earlier that day, I was pushing through deep snow on my Mukluk, trying to keep my heart rate in zone 3. The challenge wasn’t just the snow but the icy, rutted conditions underneath. My descent was cautious, marked by sliding sideways and veering off the trail. Each time I went off the beaten path, the deep snow engulfed me, triggering a brief panic. I’ve always had a fear of being buried in snow.

In Zion Park, I had once looked at rock formations resembling drifting snow. I realized then why I’m drawn to dirt and rocks – they pose no threat of drowning, unless, of course, you’ve crossed the mob.

Curves

Two hours into my blizzard journey, my tracks had vanished. The realization hit me late, wrapped in a calm anxiety, like a child who knows they’ve done something wrong. In the open area, I could only guess I was near the last junction above where I’d parked my car. But the relentless snow made it impossible to see. I rotated my 2000-lumen headlamp in every direction, searching for a path, but all I saw was a blur.

This reminded me of a photo I once took in Zion Park. It wasn’t sharp or detailed, but it captured the area’s beauty and colors, much like my current, blurry situation. I remember thinking, “this is a keeper.”

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Resources to Enhance Your Day:

1. Winter Wildlife Watching Guide – Explore the habits and habitats of winter wildlife with this insightful guide. Winter Wildlife Watching
2. Blizzard Survival Tips – Stay safe during extreme winter conditions with these expert survival tips. Blizzard Survival Strategies
3. Photography in the Wild – Enhance your nature photography skills with this comprehensive resource. Nature Photography Mastery
4. Zion National Park Visitor’s Guide – Plan your visit to Zion Park with this detailed guide, complete with trail maps and sightseeing tips. Visit Zion