Wednesday, May 11, 2011

something i love

rocks:

southern Utah is a fascinating geological playground; meaning, we have mountains characteristic of the rest of Utah (grey rock, covered in greenish plants) blended with more desert-like mountains (red rock, speckled with sagebrush). There is also a smattering of gnarled, sharp lava rocks from an ancient lava flow and fossils indicating that parts of this area were at one point under the sea. There are fault lines, colorful layers of sandstone, and blue clay that destroys houses. One of the reasons I am particularly attached to this area might be the geology of it. I know there are geological wonders in other areas, and I would love to live in other places, but this place is special to me for other reasons than the fact that it is my home. For example, I would love to visit places with active volcanoes, because I'm weirdly attracted to them. Here there are only ancient lava flows, but nothing (currently) active. And I've slept through the only sizeable earthquake we've had here in a couple decades. Not that I wish the devastation of natural disasters on areas that I live, but aside from the risk of death and distruction, it would be exciting to experience. Anyway.

I took a geology class a few years ago (six, maybe?) when I was attending Dixie State College, and it was one of my favorite classes. Someday, I will get a degree in geology (and history, and music, and other things).

But with a degree in creative writing, I'll just write about them, and save the degree for another life.

And in that life, I can devote myself to studying rocks. And it will be fun.

1 comment:

jessica renae said...

and then you'll live in somewhere like seattle and suddenly realize that trees and moss can be ALMOST as fascinating as rocks, and you'll want to study them, too. someday. :)

i miss the mountains!!