Sunday, October 10, 2010

“Branched”, revisited.

There’s a tree down in Southern Utah that is very near and dear to my siblings and me.  20 miles down the Burr Trail, which used to be 100+ miles of dirt road, is a huge cottonwood tree, towering above nothing but scrub oak as far as the eye can see.  My parents found it when we first moved here and talked about it enough that it became a family destination when traveling in So. Utah.  We call it “The Tree”, we all know which tree we’re talking about.  22 years ago we threw my mother’s ashes to the wind right by it.

So, here is “The Tree”, the first picture was taken in right around 1980, the second one a couple decades later.You can tell they were taken during different seasons.  The top one probably late fall, the bottom one early spring.  Mid summer is not a time to visit So. Utah, especially if you are camping.  But the cool nights and warm days of the aforementioned seasons are perfect for going into the desert.

6 comments:

A Paperback Writer said...

No wonder it is "THE tree." That's quite a tree. And what a nice place to scatter ashes: peaceful and memorable. Good choice.

(PS C'mon over to my post. I've got high school pics up that will amuse you.)

Max Sartin said...

Thanks, we thought it was the perfect place for mom, she was alive when we started calling it "The Tree" and she loved going down to it.

Mustang Sally said...

That is an ancient and wise tree. I can imagine sitting under its branches listening while it whispered secrets to me.

21 Wits said...

what a pleasant place to have ashes laid to rest!...in the first photo of the blue tent...did you say you camped there too? What an awesome setting! TY Karen

Max Sartin said...

Karen - yeah, I've camped there several times. It's a great place to spend the night on the way from Capitol Reef to Lake Powell. It takes longer than going on the paved roads, but a lot more scenic.

carmilevy said...

What a touching tribute to your mom. There's a certain poignancy associated with the choice, as a tree is such a vibrant source of life.

I can see why this place is so special to you and to your family. We all need to have places like this in our lives to return to.