Photographer's Note
In 1934, a young man of age 20 walked into the canyon just beyond the first ridge in this photo and disappeared. Everett Ruess had wandered all over the southern Utah area, as well as Arizona, Nevada, and many parts of California. He was young and he was an artist and poet. When he needed money, he would sketch or make wood block prints and sell them--or he would stop in small towns to do odd jobs. Then he would continue his vagabond ways.
Travelling with a burro or two, and often a dog, he would suddenly appear in small Utah towns, do a little work, make friends (he was a very friendly lad), and then vanish again into the desert. In 1934, he appeared in Escalante, Utah just in time for a Mormon church dance, which he attended. All the girls wanted to dance with the mysterious, tanned-skin stranger. He worked there for a few days until he had enough money to buy some food and supplies. Then he walked east and south and was never heard of again.
No one really noticed his disappearance, except for his family back in California, until some ranchers came upon his backpack and his burro in Davis Gulch. Mysteriously, the word NEMO was scrawled on the canyon wall. I can imagine that his family back home read through his worn copy of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" several times!
Everett Ruess has now become an official legend here in Utah and in much of the west. His art and poetry are still to be found in books to this day. Years after his disappearance, someone here or there would suddenly comment that they bought some art work from a stranger in the middle of the desert, or gave an artist a ride, so maybe he is dead, and maybe he isn't.
He wrote once, "I am drunk on the fiery elixer of beauty," which was rather characteristic of his notes. Another: "I have seen almost more beauty than I can bear." When as a teenager I would go off on my trips into the desert--often alone--my parents had a vague fear that I would disappear like Everett had, for they were familiar with his story.
I'm going off again tomorrow to wander the deserts that Everett wandered. If you ever have the chance to do the same, I'm sure that you, like me, will understand how Everett could have loved this country so much.
I should be back in a few days. But if I don't return, you'll know that I, like Everett, am just a vagabond for beauty.
I know it's Christmas today, but in two days it will be the last day of Hannukah--so happy Hannukah all! I won't be here to wish it to you when the time comes.
(Just to allay your fears--I plan on returning!)
Critiques | Translate
Guzman
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 271 W: 164 N: 27]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-s.gif){kind=small}
(577) 2003-12-25 21:48
Stunning picture also stunning story , I like the way your image uses "thirds" in the banding of it, you could have cropped the top but did'nt this (imho) was well chosen, for the reason of vastness and depth this image brings and adds to your execellent tale,there is some slight noise to the sky, but what a vision to behold well done (more in 2004 please)
richtersl
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 992 W: 583 N: 849]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(3546) 2003-12-25 21:59
Dave, I enjoyed that story very much. Thanks for sharing it with us in such detail.
The soft golden colors of this composition are very soothing to look at. I like the shadows created on the landscape by the clouds. Lovely composition!
manny
(22032) 2003-12-25 23:12
I am tempted to crop the top but I am sure you have a reason for not doing so. Anyway, the golden colors more than capture ones attention so I suppose the composition is just right. Have a safe trip and I look forward to see your next post.
joso
(2417) 2003-12-26 3:38
The answer is in the clouds, on the right part - I see his face, he is looking to me.
A wonderful Homage on Everett, David.
So the photo, as your note.
Hope you'll see just enough beauty to can bear, and will be able to share with us.
In hope that you return...
nwoehnl
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 8128 W: 623 N: 31]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-n.gif){kind=small}
(122) 2003-12-26 6:43
Wonderful image, David. The light is stunning, and I like the composition with the three horizontal layers of rock, clouds, sky. Great storytelling in your note. Have a very safe trip, and give our regards to Everett.
chrischris
(877) 2003-12-26 9:20
This is an impressive shot. Great equilibrum (third rules used here). The light captured is very great. The sun ray on those mountains nicely contrastes with the sky. Very sharp and really well composed. The black border enhances this composition too. Congratulations.
avigur_11
(22535) 2003-12-26 9:32
The brown and red tones of this desert became your trademark, David. I like the cloud that sits over the mountain's top. It's good idea to keep some blue sky above the cloud.
This story is amazing. Well done.
Clochette
(8076) 2003-12-26 12:20
Wow, it's breathtaking... Should you meet Everett in the canyon, join him for a walk if you wish to, but please come back with more pics of this place !
Georges
(11185) 2003-12-26 14:38
Une bonne photo les détails sont jolis et la prise de vue très claire.
Les deux plans font un bon contraste et les couleurs sont belles
Bravo.
digitalpix
![Silver Star Critiquer [C: 11 W: 0 N: 5]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/s-n-n.gif){kind=small}
(215) 2003-12-26 19:07
Another great picture from the southwest with a great story to go along with it! Perfect exposure considering the range. I think I might be tempted to crop off the very highest clouds.
dob_31
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 678 W: 0 N: 0]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-n.gif){kind=small}
(0) 2003-12-26 22:14
Nice Story and nice photo... The colors are grand. I like the way the clouds wrap the ridges... Well seen / thanks for sharing!
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 522 W: 19 N: 1]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-n.gif){kind=small}
light
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 296 W: 12 N: 91]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(865) 2003-12-27 18:52
I hope you follow enjoying wandering deserts. You got a good light here on the canyon. Nice clouds and nice post Neatimage, giving a dreamy atmosphere. Nice clouds. I am not 100% sure o the proportions eart vs sky her, but phot is nice.
joseelias
(0) 2003-12-29 5:55
Great colors and texture contrasts! The sky, the clouds and the desert make a great photo.
Great note too! I guess when the time passes that makes impossible for Everett to be alive he will become a real legend you see with a lot of meaning. In Portugal we have a "similiar" story but over a missing king, D. Sebastião. Although he desappeared in the 16th century we still "wait" for his arrival in a foggy day... Now it has become a national metaphor and had acquired a big simbolic meaning. This storys are allways very interesting!
pascalbene
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 238 W: 5 N: 83]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
(1717) 2003-12-29 11:23
Here, clouds are sweet as a legend. And colors strong as the destiny of Everett. Thank you.
Motrem
(2392) 2003-12-30 12:42
Colours are saturated well, the excellent composition and your interesting history. You live in a beautiful country.
Les couleurs sont bien saturées, la composition excellente et votre histoire intéressante. Vous vivez dans un beau pays.
gepall
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 377 W: 0 N: 17]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-s.gif){kind=small}
(1838) 2003-12-31 6:33
The photo its absolutely great.
The colors are fantastic so and the view.
I wish i could give more smiles for the story.
Happy new year
kazan
(779) 2004-01-05 10:56
Amazing photo and note...
That should on Lonely Planet!
Great photo-synthesis!
Panos
Isabelle
(9046) 2004-02-03 7:10
what a great shot and what a great story teller you are...
both trigger lots of complex feelings.
thanks.
Wildcard (0) 2005-08-16 22:20
What a fascinating story - legend, in its depiction of a man's admiration for his country. Nice picture as well - love the texture on those rocks.
Maybe on your travels, you'll hear Everett's voice echoing in the desert wind, sharing your appreciation for this incredibly timeless landscape. Or maybe he'll simply nod as he passes you by in his farewell bid..your shared appreciation needing no words; you both seem to love this fantastic place just as much.
Happy travels :-)
Photo Information
-
Copyright: David Sidwell (dsidwell)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2294 W: 168 N: 1911]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(9783) - Genre: Lugares
- Medium: Cor
- Date Taken: 2003-10-00
- Categories: Natureza
- Camera: Sony DSC F707, UV+Polarizer
- Versão da Foto: Versão Original
- Tema(s): Le désert [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2003-12-25 21:28
