I am spending the night tonight near the New Mexico/Arizona border on I 40. I am well within reach of my stops in Tempe and Phoenix for tomorrow so now I can relax for the evening in preparation of an early start in the morning.
Today's drive reminded me of how much we take for granted when we see it every day. I spend the majority of my time driving through the Eastern half of the U.S. as well as the northern states from coast to coast and pretty well know it all like the back of my hand. It's been a good while since I driven the extreme Southwest.
I had almost forgotten just how beautiful the scenery is out here. Driving along I 40 I passed through areas of rolling prairie, farm land, ancient volcano fields that still show the distinctive black ejecta all over the place, and the wonderful red cliffs, plateaus, and mesas. The place I have chosen to park for the night is surrounded by rugged and very ancient looking weathered stony hills and mesas.
While the scenery here is especially beautiful, it reminds me that I regularly drive through beautiful scenery every single day. It may vary from mountain passes and forests to the moderate deserts of southern Texas to the swamps and bayous of the Gulf coast, but it all has it's own special beauty. Every state has it's own beauty if one takes the time to notice it. Sometimes we just forget to do so.
It's nice to be reminded to take the time to actually notice that beauty which surrounds us every day. It can really make one appreciate it as well as make an ordinary day a little bit more special.