Give Me Those Wide Open Spaces
Finding inspiration in the Anza Borrega Desert
The highlight of last week’s visit to San Diego was getting out of the city and driving through California’s, Anza–Borrego Desert State Park. On all our trips to the US over the years, this was our first time experiencing the majestic vast skies and open spaces of the American west. I was awed and humbled by the experience.
Standing in a field of whispering prairie grass, my thoughts strayed to a much loved TV show of my childhood – Little House on the Prairie. I identified so much with the spirited, freckled, pig-tailed Laura Ingalls and read all of the Little House books many times over when I was young.
I thought too of other movies and books on the early settlers and the hardships that faced them. It led me to reflect on how our own journey through life, especially when affected by illness and other troubles can be like a journey through an endless dry desert at times.
And then looking upwards into the vast blue expanse of sky, I thought of life’s endless possibilities and freedoms. The lyrics of the Dixie Chicks song “Wide Open Spaces” came to mind
Who Doesn’t Know What I’m Talking About
Who’s Never Left Home, Who’s Never Struck Out
To Find A Dream And A Life Of Their Own
A Place In The Clouds, A Foundation Of Stone
I love that song and while the lyrics may seem simple, I am inspired by the sentiments they express – step outside of the known once in a while and do something new; experience those wide open spaces and you never know what new thing may be waiting out there for you.
Many Precede And Many Will Follow
A Young Girl’s Dream No Longer Hollow
It Takes The Shape Of A Place Out West
But What It Holds For Her, She Hasn’t Yet Guessed
I love those wide open spaces and I need to remember they exist in a mind full of limitless possibilities and not just in the American west. So altogether now sing with me….
Hope you visit Idaho someday…and teh Dixie Chicks rock!
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Would love that! I have serious wander lust after last week’s visit to US!!!
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Sounds fabulous!
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I’ve never been, but you make me want to go and experience it for myself right now 🙂
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I loved this post Marie
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I am a big Dixie Chicks fan and I really enjoyed listening to this song again via your blog. Nice blog post too!
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Ah I love this song – reminds me of leaving home for college and all the scary but exciting emotions
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Great post, Marie. There is so much beauty in every single thing… we only have to open our mind together with our eyes when looking 🙂
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Love the song Marie! In a way don’t we all need wide open spaces to experience life. Living in Arizona and New Mexico for many years I have a great appreciation for the desert. Sounds like you had a great time! PS How was your trip home?
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Marie,
I, too, loved the show “Little House on the Prairie,” and read those books over and over. There is truly something special about those open spaces. I think part of it is our problems just seem smaller in the great outdoors. I’m glad you enjoyed your visit to the USA! Great post!
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Oh I like that a lot Nancy – part of our problems DO seem smaller in the great outdoors – how true!
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Marie,
As a Texas girl who lives “in the middle of nowhere,” I thrive in wide open spaces. And yes… I love the Dixie Chicks. I could ride a horse over the “hill” behind me and wind up at the back fence of Emily Robison’s ranch. Keep thinking I might see her at the grocery store, but haven’t.
Have you been to Monument Valley or the Grand Canyon? Woah… Now that’s REALLY powerful. A must see.
XOXOXO,
Brenda
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Just adding it to my wish list of places to visit right now Brenda 😉
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You look so at home there Marie, I love your sentiments and the song too. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of the bigger picture when the day is too painful for words.
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