The Wave

Posted by Rand (Laie, United States) on 11 June 2009 in Landscape & Rural and Portfolio.

I had been trying for years to get to the surrealistic swirl of rock known as the Wave. It was only a few miles from the road, and it was in a region of the country I had visited a fair number of times. But the Wave, so I was told, was in danger of being "loved to death." Too many people wanted to visit the too fragile area. To protect the Wave, a strict permit system was instituted that allowed only a few people each day to visit the area containing the Wave. No camping was allowed anywhere in the area. It took me three years of putting my name into the lottery for a permit before I was successful. When I finally did visit the area I met a couple who had come down to try to get some of the few permits that are only issued the day before. The couple had waited in the area for four days before finally getting a permit.

Now, I am all for conservation. I picketed to "save the whales" when I was a teenager, and if I see you litter, pick a flower, or feed "wild" animals in the wilderness it is likely that I will offer you a piece of my mind that will be none too flattering. However, I think we need to have moderation when it comes to restricting access to our beautiful places. The area all around the Wave was absolutely incredible. The canyons and mesas would offer nearly endless hiking, camping, and photographic opportunities. But no one ever visits those places because access is too difficult. And here is the real issue: if more people in the US had been aware of the one-of-a-kind, take-your-breath-away, make-you-weep-out-of-sheer-awe beauty that we lost to the Glenn Canyon Dam, maybe it would have been built somewhere less ... well ... magical. I certainly hope we do not protect our beautiful places to death.

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Comments (26)

Alun from cheshire, United Kingdom

That really is amazing, your exsposure is spot on, giving it the really lovely red, A place i would really love to go, I'm hoping to be in this area next year.

11 Jun 2009 5:43am

@Alun: Thanks Alun. The whole area is great. A hike in the Pariah Canyon is also spectacular if you visit there.

Hessam & Shahab from Tehran, Iran

Unbelievable! I wanna touch this rocks with my feet. Great shot!

11 Jun 2009 6:29am

@Hessam & Shahab: Thanks! (and good luck with your election!)

Ana Lúcia from Leiria, Portugal

Fantastic color and texture!

11 Jun 2009 9:48am

zOOm from Paris, France

Gorgeous shapes indeed. Must be a fascinating place.

11 Jun 2009 9:55am

@zOOm: It really is a fascinating place. The Wave is just one of the many interesting formations.

Eleftheria from Athens, Greece

Fantastic!

11 Jun 2009 12:00pm

@Eleftheria: Thanks

Roman from Thunder Bay, Canada

Great shot Rand, you've captured it really well. And thanks to you I don't need a permit to admire this wonder !!

cheers
Roman

11 Jun 2009 1:31pm

@Roman: Glad I could help.

Jason Kravitz from Brussels, Belgium

beautiful ! Can't believe those people got in after 4 days - sheesh - guess something are timed for us personally such that when it's right it's right

11 Jun 2009 1:50pm

@Jason Kravitz: Yep. They said they were prepared to wait for a week total.

Chris from South Jersey, United States

Amazing spot - I had never heard of it.....you captured it wonderfully with just the right composition and colors....

11 Jun 2009 8:56pm

Jen from St. George, United States

Stunning photo with excellent composition. It features the beautiful curves so well!

11 Jun 2009 9:43pm

Onlymehdi from Wayne, United States

SUPERB

12 Jun 2009 12:13am

Frédéric A. from Païta, New Caledonia

amazing image. Nature does things well

12 Jun 2009 1:24am

@Frédéric A.: It does indeed.

Justin Blanton from United States

Beautiful shot.

12 Jun 2009 9:51pm

Jenn from Winnipeg, Canada

wow, this is a stunning photograph. The amateur geologist in me would love to touch such a beautiful formation.

12 Jun 2009 10:03pm

@Jenn: Being there was amazing. The texture was beautiful and walking through it was almost too surreal.

MMC Photos from THE COLONY, United States

How spectacular and how fortunate you are. I had no idea about the rare glimpes. It's just breath taking.

13 Jun 2009 2:06am

Tracy from La Selva Beach, United States

A beautiful shot, I see that your patience has paid off!
I agree with your "rant" I, too think that getting people to these beautiful places, and hopefully educating them on their fragility, will create an emotional attachment that will cause people to want to save our treasures!
Here in CA we are faced with our Governor wanting to close all (or most of) of our State Parks...

13 Jun 2009 2:38pm

@Tracy: I think closing parks to save them (in most cases) is like not reading a book to save its binding. Silly and counter-productive. Out of sight=out of mind.

zOOm from Paris, France

Congatulations for the Spotlight. Really deserve it.

13 Jun 2009 7:30pm

@zOOm: Thanks. I didn't even realize it was a spotlight photo until your comment.

Daniel from Kenmare, United States

super shot. great color and shape.

14 Jun 2009 1:17am

Barbara from Florida, United States

Thank you for your awareness about the environment.
This is magnificent. There are some that would chip away a piece to take with them. It needs protecting. Your story was very interesting, especially about the lottery to be able to go to this area.
Well deserving of the AM3 Spotlight, Congratulations!

14 Jun 2009 4:45am

@Barbara: Thanks Barbara. I'm glad you liked the photo and the story. You are right that there are some people who would chip away a piece, but those people are just as likely to get a permit to visit as those who would respect it.