I think I first visited the San Juan mountains in 2003, and I’ve been addicted ever since. The forests, tall mountains, mesas and red and black cliffs are unforgettable. Actually I’m trying to plan a trip back in the next couple months for big dose of steep powder and hot springs, without the crowds. For a popular state, those mountains feel more wild and desolate than many of the other ranges in Colorado. But as towns like Telluride, Montrose, Ridgway and Ouray continue to grow and festivals get bigger and mansions spontaneously reproduce, that area could use some more protection. For those interested in potential increased regulation, the San Juans Mountains Wilderness Act of 2009 was just introduced in the Senate.

Lately I’ve been obsessed with space, or maybe the lack of space. It’s so hard to get inspired when you leave what inspired you – wild animals as they hunted or migrated, silence, or vast open spaces and massive peaks. But what qualifies as space, and in particular, wilderness or nature? Why do we seek it? Is it still satisfying when there other people around? I pine for solitude, where I sit on a snowy slope beneath the trees watching the flakes fall and listening to the subtle breezes in the branches. That’s hard to find here. So I am challenging myself to a new project:  appreciate and photograph space when I can find it, the smaller bits of nature I probably pass by all the time, and to smile at the crowds. At least they’re enjoying the outdoors.

I’m thinking of starting a new personal project as I’ve really taken to watching people watch and enjoy nature lately, which I mentioned in my last post. In particular, I’m interested in how we enjoy parks and secluded sections of nature. But more on that later. In the meantime, I delved into Blackberry photography today with this shot of afternoon sunshine and roses in the Bishop’s Garden at the National Cathedral. It is a gorgeous structure, with a small but pretty garden, and the light was just perfect. I think my favorite thing about DC, and maybe about cities in general, is finding secret spots – nice plots of grass, small gardens sandwiched between buildings or roads, tree stands and mini forests. Even in all this urban craziness nature does exist.