First Look At Self-Portrait's Autumn Collection
The possibility of a road trip across the United States that the authors are to undertake in the near future could be said to have a happy outlook. But when I asked Perry about ideas, sentiments, and attitudes concerning the next adventure that was before us to cross the entire continent, he just shook his shoulders and returned to his almost ceaseless muttering of prayers. I have to admit that during all the many months that we spent touring together, I had gotten used to the fact that Perry would engage in prayers almost all the time as if it had become his obsession. Indeed, I felt quite surprised for I had the impression that he did not have the same feelings of increasing eagerness I myself experienced in anticipation of the transcontinental passage we were soon to undertake.
Driving and listening to how Perry prayed through ever-changing views and sceneries on a daily basis, I noticed that I paid attention to the rates of changes in his voice – how he built little hope, endurance, and wishful narratives into his prayers. It appeared as if he had the ability to conceive and enliven countless potentialities in store for us beyond the nearest horizon, painting his visions in shades of the exciting and the promising. One may assume that before we became travelers, and he roamed the country alone for many years, Perry has honed the ability to pray on the fly to a fine art. I asked myself whether Perry really needs any more spiritual assets during this time, or does he need a consistent friend?
There were occasions when I wished Perry could tell me more of what so enthused him into marathon praying sessions with me. But I realized that he derived solace in the routine – the same way he derived comfort in the steady flickering of lights, the constancy of a companion, or a known face amidst the ever-changing landscape that we saw through the windscreen of the vehicle. As for myself, I did anticipate catching a first glimpse of the legendary Pacific coastline that I have heard of only in books and folk songs, to feel the breeze of the sea in my hair as in the folklore tales. I slept supposing we could manage to dip our boots in the surging water, joking to ourselves that we had for sure claimed the continent from North to South with such tenacity as we demonstrated by our westward journey. However, it was not merely crossing the country that was part of Perry’s mapmaking; it was yet another direction. While I recorded our distance in terms of miles, his coordinates depicted lines of far more significant endurance, only the realms of the soul can measure such a map. The outer journey may require time to be accomplished, but the journey within self does not allow any such final reckoning. Thus, so we travelers together followed the without and within of topography, and accrued those enrichments which by their actuality remained utterly uncoupled.
A wise girl knows her limits but dreams beyond them. Reach for the stars, but keep your feet on the ground. The question gave me an idea, so I answered quickly before Perry could say anything.
So, when we went further to the western parts of the state, the vapor seemed tighter and tighter. The prayers that were said to Perry made him look like the first settlers of these lands. They were about the first cowboys who bought the land, started farming crops, and proceeded towards town. Others, like their friends, caught cows; others, like their relatives, went to the mines; and people who set up stores and taverns were similarly called by Perry as well. All those who have died a long time ago and now lie in the hot soil are the residues of their ambitions and dreams.
The people we met were all adapted because of the rough living conditions, which were only associated with getting the minimum necessities of life under the inhospitable weather. Yet, when Perry prayed and they listened, the first men who stood there started weeping in the eyes, which were all wrinkled due to the sun and wind. Because of the familiarity of the stories and the lucidity of the messages, as if they were instilled in them, or maybe they were just very observant people, which earned them a place in their hearts. Stories from the previous year reflected their own struggle that was not always loud.
Just the moment we entered the long hillside that borders the other side of the plateau, we moved to the flat country where we met with an awesome salt desert. The delicate perfume and varied mountains of salt resembling a sunset on the horizon (with colors of orange, pink, and gold) were so beautiful. Perry narrated here the largely unparalleled natural history of such original large water bodies gradually shrinking through the ages till they became the deposits of minerals.
When we were descending the incline of the mesa that makes the western part of the tableland, we crossed the plain and reached the salt desert. The salt smell was present in a stronger mode than any time before, with hills forming shapes looking like a lake. Perry continued with his low voice, providing us with the very old stories of how these original large water bodies had to decrease their size through millions and millions of years, causing the freezing of the mineral deposits as well. As I stood there, the day had already been dissipated by the cold of the night, and the desert got filled with the voices of time. Some centuries ago, after the extinction of the Indian buffalo, a band of buffalo sheep arrived in dry regions like the Sheep Mountain…
As night came to an end, Perry revised the faded memories and told the same old stories to us. However, the specific way these stories became more memorable was that they were stories that had been told by our ancestors.
Enjoying the view of summer
Summer in the USA is not only a colorful, but also a versatile event that can impress with its nature and ethnic programs. Well, being a travel blogger I have been lucky enough to visit most of these amazing places. Ranging from golden shores of California through the snow-capped rock summits of the Rocky Trail, every location is unique and gorgeous.
It starts at the Pacific Coast, marking the western edge of the United States of America from the state of California. Santa Monica’s pier with lots of people enjoying the warm Summer’s day and an endless view of the sea is an ideal place to be. Heading north it is possible to explore picturesque rocky coast with beautiful sandy hills of Big Sur where people can find calmness for their overcharged nerves.
Travelling across the country one comes across with the Great Plains region of the country characterized by immense spaces of golden fields. The results are rather gorgeous during the summer because the heat of the day promote orange and pink sunsets. This is also the best opportunity to enjoy the friendly small towns and tight-knit community that is such a part of this region’s character.
The east coast is fairly charming with its historic cities, and scenic coastline is none other than the east coast. New York, Central Park turns into a Mecca of sorts for lovers of nature and parks, with countless trees and calm lakes. New England coastal towns including the famous Cape Cod and the Martha’s Vineyard is best for the summer with sea breezes and seafood further afield.
Finally, the Southern states, which are famous for their rather warm climate and exquisite historical flavor, are an interesting summer destination. New Orleans pulsate with music and festivals while the beaches in Florida ranging from the gulf coast to the Atlantic coast provide the best opportunity for sun tanning and water ac pagina 61 tivities.
There is no American summer trip that can be considered complete without visiting national parks. The stunning vistas of Yosemite, the breathtaking size of the Grand Canyon and the calm greeneries of the Great Smoky Mountains are some of the other natural blessing that United States enjoys and that makes this country summer haven.
Every place that I get to brings the layer to the fabric of my life with great memories and stunning sceneries. The summer in the USA is not just a season; rather it is an unexplored fun to be experienced. Let me keep on sharing my experience on the discovery of this beautiful country.
- Liam Mason, Travel Blogger
