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"The slope of the riverbed here is nearly level, so the movement of water slows; shallowness heightens the impression of transparency and a feeling for the texture of the highly polished stones just underwater. If you bring your eye to within a few inches of the surface, each stone appears to be submerged in glycerin yet still sharply etched, as if held closely under a strong magnifying glass in summer light."

From "The Shallows", in River Notes, by Barry Lopez.

We were hiking towards Mossy Cave, which is around the back of Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah. Even though it was late March, there was still snow on the ground and a stream running through the area had a lot of ice on it - except for one fast-running area with a beautiful (to me, at least) collection of pebbles showing through the crystal-clear water. The bright sun was shining on the water and lighting up those rocks, and they seemed like a lovely still life under that stream.

"One can lose one's self here, both philosophically and physically, and in a seemingly endless variety of environments. Perhaps one's first and most lasting impression is of the immensity of it all."

Jim Harpster, source unknown

You're looking at one of the spectacular views that overwhelms you when walking through a slot canyon - this one is Upper Antelope Canyon outside of Page, Arizona. I'd been here before, but each time it looks slightly different because the angle of the sun changes as it illuminates the canyon walls. A walk (or hike, or crawl, as the case may be) through a slot canyon is one of life's most unique trips; these are places unlike any other.