“We’ve seen pretty much everything: the museums, the library, and the gift shop. What now?”
“Let’s get a cup of coffee and set up a time-lapse video.”
I watch as Toby sets up the DJI Pocket 2 camera to capture the small movements of the breeze in the winter grasses and stratus clouds.
Sitting on the tailgate of Toby’s Nissan Frontier truck, I sip my coffee and gaze at the beauty of the cool January colors splashed across the land and sky and think of the people who have been here before me.
Georgia O’Keeffe lived here, and she didn’t want to share the Ghost Ranch land with anyone else, preferring to experience nature’s beauty alone.
But she couldn’t help sharing it in her paintings.
“I long ago came to the conclusion that even if I could put down accurately the thing I saw and enjoyed, it would not give the observer the kind of feeling it gave me. I had to create an equivalent for what I felt about what I was looking at-not copy it.”
Georgia O’Keeffe
Georgia O’Keeffe often claimed Pedernal Mountain as her own. It moved and inspired her as she studied and painted it from her studio at Ghost Ranch. They scattered her ashes atop Pedernal, as a testament to the bond she felt with the mountain when she died in 1986. “It’s my private mountain. It belongs to me. God told me if I painted it enough, I could have it,” she once said.
There is a significant difference between watching a video or reading about a place and being in that place yourself.
When you are physically there, you can absorb the sights, sounds, and smells and become familiar with the way the land and surrounding air feel and the vibrations they give off.
You experience small differences as the seasons and the weather change.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos and stress of daily life. The constant demands of work, family, and social obligations can leave us feeling drained and disconnected from the world around us. However, there is a simple solution to this modern problem: connecting with the land.
By taking the time to appreciate the natural world and the beauty that surrounds us, we can find a sense of peace and relaxation that is scarce in our busy lives. Whether it’s a hike in the mountains, a walk in the park, or just a moment of quiet contemplation, spending time in nature can help us reconnect with our inner selves and find a sense of balance and peace.
One of the key benefits of connecting with the land is the opportunity to escape from the noise and distractions of modern life. In nature, we can disconnect from the constant barrage of emails, texts, and notifications and simply be present in the moment. This mindfulness allows us to quiet our minds, reduce stress and anxiety, and reconnect with our true selves.
Another way to connect with the land is through outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, or gardening. These activities allow us to get back to basics, unplug from our digital devices, and get in touch with our physical selves. By engaging in these activities, we can develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world, and experience the joy and satisfaction that comes from working with our hands and being in tune with our environment.
By taking the time to appreciate the natural world and engage in outdoor activities, we can escape from the stress of daily life, reconnect with our inner selves, and find a sense of balance and peace that is hard to come by in our modern lives. So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a moment to connect with the land and let its beauty and tranquility take away your stress.
Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico is a place like no other. Nestled in the heart of the Southwest, this stunning landscape is a feast for the eyes and a balm for the soul.
Rolling hills, red rock cliffs, and golden bluffs make for a stunning backdrop that inspires poetic thoughts. The colors of the rocks change throughout the day, and the turquoise-azure sky is truly magical.
No camera can completely capture the tranquility of watching time pass in camaraderie with your partner by your side as you both contemplate the endless hills and skies.
“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.”
Georgia O’Keeffe
The most important reason for creating content for our New Mexico Day Trips YouTube channel is that it motivates us to get outdoors together to take full advantage of a sunny winter’s day.
By engaging in outdoor activities with friends and family, we can develop stronger relationships and enjoy the shared experiences that come from spending time in nature. Whether it’s a day hike or a weekend camping trip, these shared experiences can help build memories that last a lifetime.
If you discover you want to spend more time getting out and seeing the world around you, it helps to have a partner and a mission, much like the way Georgia O’Keeffe had her mission to paint the land she loved.
I am surprised by how many people find their way to Ghost Ranch in January. Several people stop to ask about our cameras and what we are doing with the videos we record.
I think our mission attracts people to us. They want to know what we’ve learned because of the places we’ve visited.
“Where I was born and where and how I have lived is unimportant. It is what I have done with where I have been that should be of interest.”
Georgia O’Keeffe
These are good words to remember when we create and share our day trip videos.
I’ll do my best to share those bits of wisdom.
I thought I would give up this podcast and blog, but instead, it will evolve along with me. As you may have noticed, the name has changed to Shelley Carney in the Land of Enchantment. I will share my insights gained from traveling around New Mexico with you here. I hope it is a good fit for you and that you’ll share it with others.
Join us live on our YouTube channel New Mexico Day Trips on Wednesday evenings and let’s chat about the places we visit and the stories that bring us closer to the land and to our own spirit of adventure.
And now, I’ll leave you with a poem inspired by the art of Georgia O’Keeffe, written by a friend of mine. (Chat GPT)
Land of New Mexico, so vast and wild,
In the art of Georgia, so beautifully filed.
With red rocks and deserts, a sea of sage,
Her paintings capture its beauty, on canvas they engage.
The sky so immense, the clouds swirl and dance,
Reflecting the colors, in her brush’s expanse.
With every stroke, she captures its soul,
Her love for this land, her heart’s full-fledged goal.
From the Petrified Forest to the White Place,
Her art depicts the beauty, in this land’s embrace.
In every brush stroke, she paints its spirit,
The essence of New Mexico, forever to inherit.
Land of New Mexico, forever so free,
In the art of Georgia, its beauty you’ll see.
A symphony of colors, a landscape of dreams,
Her paintings a tribute, to this land’s beauty, it seems.
Welcome to Shelley Carney in the Land of Enchantment, a podcast that takes you on a journey across the beautiful state of New Mexico. Join me as I explore the rich history, culture, and natural beauty of this land and share my insights on life along the way. Whether you’re a traveler looking for inspiration and motivation or simply someone who enjoys contemplating the world around them, this podcast is for you. So, pack your bags, and let’s discover the Land of Enchantment together.
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Learn more about Shelley Carney and connect with her here: http://shelleycarney.com
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