Escaping the television view

By Sun Advocate

I have never been much of a television viewer, except during the historically significant events such as 9-11, President Kennedy’s assassination, the space shuttle tragedy or Princess Diana’s accident.
Last week was another one of those times that I found myself glued to the television set watching the moment by moment action of the war as it provided play by play coverage on three cable news networks.
I watched in disbelief at times proud of the men and women who are serving our country and angry at times that it has to come down to this. By Friday, after almost eight days of non stop bombing, theories where Saddam is or even if he is, endless interviews and tragedies one might expect during a war, I had enough.
According to one report roughly seven million people watched Fox News, CNN and MSNBC on Wednesday, compared to the couple of million who watch those networks on a typical day.
When I have had enough of anything, and I had had enough of the realities of war, I did what I do best. I spent the rest of the weekend enjoying nature and thinking through my time this spring and summer to further explore Carbon, Emery and the other southeastern Utah counties.
I spent some time down at the CEU Prehistoric museum, then drove through the San Rafael Swell. The awesome spring beauty of the colors of reds and browns, greens and blues were breathtaking as I found myself on several occasions just sitting in silence.
I ended up at the museum in Green River and had a great conversation with two tourism officials about activities that are happening in southeast Emery county. I made a few lists of places I want to go and things I’d like to do. Topping this list is an entire weekend viewing man of the ancient pictographs and petroglyphs that are here.
I also decided to participate in a new tourism fad called geocashing where people use the GPS and try and locate a hidden treasure. According to Norma Dean Hawkinson and Mindy Cassingham, there are over 50 such sights in the Green River area alone.
I plan on searching out more outfitters for tours and further explore the beauty and study the history of the desert.
Later in the evening I found myself walking along the Colorado river, watching the sunset over the beautiful red rocks. Early Saturday morning I was fortunate again to watch the sun rise over the arches in one of the most beautiful national parks I have ever toured. The warm morning sun filled me as I sat quietly under the Delicate Arch, after a vigorous hour hike to the top.
I found a few answers this weekend amidst the beauty and silence of the clear air. I was able to focus on what is important in my life. I also put in perspective my opinions and understand a little more the importance of what is happening in Iraq. These are tough times to cope with and while thousands of us read the newspapers and watch moment by moment the war on television it is important to realize that these are our sons and daughters, our husbands and wives and our brothers and sisters off in a strange country fighting for freedoms. No matter how hard the war is to understand these are Americans and they need our support at this time.