Hi, my name’s Greg and I’m a topophile.
That statement almost makes me sound like I need to check into rehab or begin a 12-step program. As it turns out, its a good thing to be a topophile. What the heck is a topophile? Anyone who has a strong sense of place or identity is a topophile. Although I have never lived there, I have always felt a strong sense of place in southern Utah. Having grown up in a home where I was taught to enjoy the outdoors, I do not feel out of place when I am outside anywhere, but I feel especially at ease when I visit southern Utah–its almost as if I’m going home.
When I was 6, my parents moved from Denver to the northwestern New Mexico (the Four Corners area). I remember a lot of day trips and overnight trips to the La Plata and San Juan mountains, as well as places like Chaco Canyon and the Bisti Badlands. However, it wasn’t until I was in Boy Scouts (age 12?) that I visited Moab, Utah for the first time. We went on a mountain biking trip on some local trails, and on the way home stopped at the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. To say I was blown away was an understatement. After that first trip, I couldn’t wait to get back.
My dad, friends, and I had many more trips to Canyonlands over the next several years. I was not drawn only to the topography and landscape, but also to the archaeological richness of the area. In some areas, every rock outcropping held a new treasure to see, and to force me to imagine what the ancient peoples thought of this land. We backpacked in the Dark Canyon Wilderness area, as well as several trips to the canyons of Cedar Mesa, a place I cannot wait to get back to. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to explore many of the technical canyons in Zion National Park as well as in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
For me, its not so much that southern Utah offers so much in the way of natural beauty, but rather that I feel connected with the land in a way that words cannot really describe. I’m honored to be able to visit and photograph this place often, and I hope that when my son gets older, my wife and I can instill a sense of place in him (wherever it may be) that my dad helped to instill in me.
Over the next weeks/months I’ll be featuring some of my own photos from southern Utah, as well as other photographers’ work who I really admire.
Today’s photo is of Castleton Tower, near Moab, Utah…where it all started for me.
Castleton Tower, Castle Valley, UT, December 2008
Very Nice! The light snow makes it a real winner.
“I feel connected with the land in a way that words cannot really describe.”
Greg, I realized the same thing some years ago. This place does something to you. I couldn’t rest until I managed to make a home here, and no other place ever felt more like home to me. More amazing is the fact that I keep discovering it over and over in deeper and more profound ways every time I step out the door.
Guy
I’ve yet to see Southern Utah, but ever since I first read Edward Abbey’s “Desert Solitaire” I’ve had strong feelings for it. We just watched “Colorado, River of Wonders” on the Travel Channel last night and when they showed Canyonlands I told Lynne, we’re going there some day. I can’t wait to see it in person.
Great image Greg. Looking forward to seeing more.
I feel the same way about southern Utah. It’s such an amazing area. Every time I go I have a long list of places I’d like to see – more than I could possibly visit in one trip. I manage to check a couple off each trip, but always come back with at least ten new places to add!
Nice to articulate something that I think many of us feel. I’ve lived in California for – giving my age away – more than 50 years. Since I was a kid my family spent a lot of time in various outdoor locales, so I’ve had plenty of time to grow deeply familiar with many elements of “my California,” especially the northern/central California coastal areas (redwoods, sea shore, grassland, oaks, cities), the Sierra (I’ve camped, backpacked, climbed, and skied there for decades – heck, I’m personal friends with certain rocks!), and more recently some of the desert areas.
I think that many of us can do our best work when we focus on the landscape that we know intimately, landscape that we return to many time in different seasons and over many years.
Dan
BTW, people keep telling me that I MUST get to the Southwest. I think I need to pay attention to this! I’m getting a feeling that a visit or two or three are going to be in my future. 🙂
Dan
Greg, really enjoyed this piece. I feel exactly the same about my home patch, the Scottish Highlands. Like you, I also feel a very personal connection with the land, which I try to convey through images. Whether revisiting a well-known location or exploring a new one, when I step out I feel at home, at total ease. Great article… look forward to more!
Iain
Greg, i’ve lived in Utah for 4 yrs and now i’m moving to Japan..i fell in love with southern Utah also. I’ll be back…most likely to live here and enjoy this beautiful area.
tony