約拿丹 悠樂翔 DJ*onathan's Blog

I got up a bit late on Day 3.

I spent the night at Kayenta, a small town south of Monument Valley along the Arizona border. In search of serenity and quiet time; the two places I desired visiting all along have been Monument Valley, and Antelope Canyon. It’s about two-and-a half drive to Page, Arizona. As I pulled into the park entrance; the tour guide was just about to leave for Upper Antelope Canyon. It’s a bumpy, sandy and windy drive into the slot canyon, and the only means of getting to it is with these Navajo native Indians tours. I hopped onto the truck just in time (and the last seat available) for the eleven o’clock session – which turned out to be the only trip throughout the day to catch the glimpse of “ray of light” inside the slot canyon. Praise the Lord.

The best month to visit Antelope Canyon is actually in July. Trying to photograph the beam of light in late summer or autumn can be difficult. The tour guide is actually a photographer herself; and gave us hints and tricks to take the best shots. We made it to the deepest part of the canyon (a mere fifteen minutes walk); right at the perfect moment. The diameter of the beam striking the canyon floor can get as small as a quarter, under the best conditions.

After a brief stop at Glen Canyon Dam, I hesitated whether I would be spending the rest of my day at Grand Staircare-Escalante, or Lake Powell. At the end, I figured I’d likely be running out of time – and instead should return next time. Spent the rest of the evening back in Monument Valley, this time, with more care with my driving, and took a few sunset shots. After dark, the remoteness and silence inside of Monument Valley can be a bit eerie, yet majestic.

Back to Kayenta, I couldn’t stand another bite of McDonalds and Burger King, so I tried my luck at a Chinese place called “Gold Rice Bowl”. Like the saying goes, “you can always find a Chinese restaurant”. I ended my day with Moo Goo Gai Pan, Broccoli Beef, and my beloved rice.

Monument Valley has this mystical, mythical and serene aura to it.

The most breathtaking viewpoint is perhaps the approach from Mexican Hat via US 163. The day’s (short) hikes and driving tours were surreal. It was simply a treat to witness His majestic creation, especially with His presence. Towards the end of my visit I ran across a few young Brits fellas (actually from Wales). They were standing next to me and I noticed they were jumping up and down screaming “I love this place!”. Strangely, they invited me to join them; and even more strangely, I agreed to go nuts with them. The sounds of three voices, “I love this place” echoed surrounding the beautiful mesas, buttes and red rocks. Crazy.

The morning and afternoon went quite uneventfully (again); and I was intending to wait till sunset to drive back into the heart of Monument Valley. Watching the sunset at Monument Valley is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. That was MY plan, and actually – my main purpose of visiting Monument Valley. But of course, God has better plans for me; and what HE has prepared is always something unexpected, but more rewarding.

As I mentioned in my earlier post; I should have rented a Jeep or 4×4 driving around this area. Although the main roads within Monument Valley are mostly paved, there are still plenty of unpaved, rugged and sandy side roads. And I made the mistake of venturing into one of these back tracks. And some where along the way, I got stuck. The side road was too sandy for my car, and I found my Camry hopelessly spinning its wheels, simply just digging deeper and deeper into the sand dunes. It’s close to five in the evening – which, is perfect for capturing sunset moments; but not the best time to get stuck especially the area is closing soon. The valley gets quieter, and it’s getting darker.

Certainly it’s not the end of the world. I started to plan ahead for the worse case scenario – including the possibility of camping-out inside my car for the night; and hopefully able to flag someone down in the morning to summon a tow truck. Maybe God really wants me to spend the night here, practically in isolation and solitude with Him, in Monument Valley. I am saying to myself. I remembered the chapter of Life with God the night before, about Immanuel.

Since the sun hadn’t completely set yet, I decided to give it a shot and try to walk to the nearest marker (John Ford Point) and get help. I came to a horse-back riding ranch, and thank God – I met a few helpers here (actually right before they close up for business, and leave); and one of the native American lady (“TJ”) offered to take me back to the main entrance station for help. A young girl (“Laniah”, perhaps her daughter) also hopped onto her trunk, and we drove back to the main gate.

Monument Valley resides within the Navajo tribal area – it’s not exactly like I can just call 9-1-1 or AAA. Worst yet, all the “official rangers” had just left the area. Fortunately, TJ bumped into another Indian young man (Colin) and summoned him for help, and the four of us drove back to the “site”.

We didn’t have any chains or tools – all that we got is a shovel, and help from three strangers whom I have never met in my life – with hearts of gold desperately trying to help me out. Colin, myself, and even the little girl Laniah – we were all on our knees, backs, crawled under the car and tried to shovel (with that one shovel, and with our bare hands) sand away from the wheels and beneath the car. TJ was digging up wild yucca bushes around – so they can be placed underneath the wheels and used as “mats” to provide traction. “God created everything, and everything with it’s unique purpose and at the perfect time” – I reminded myself. I felt like these guys are MacGyver’s.

The first attempt – we were able to move the car a few feet back; but then it got stuck again. It had been almost an hour of sweat. We were tired, and a little frustrated. But young Laniah remained upbeat, joyous and energetic. “Let’s keep trying!” The beauty of being eighteen.

I remembered we cranked up the car stereo and I was playing the song “Soul Serenade II” from the [Chimes]. They were singing:

Jesus (You gave me joy)
Jesus (You gave me hope)
Jesus (You gave me strength)
Jesus (You gave me life)

Jesus (You set me free)
Jesus (Now I can see)
Jesus (You have the key)
Jesus (Eternity)

We then tried a second time – but again after moving the car a few feet, but then stalled. The four of us got sand all over us, and tired. But my three new friends were committed in helping me out till the very end. They had every right and reason to just leave and ask me to go get “professional” help the next morning. I prayed to God, “Please – we are so close. God I know you answer our prayers.”

Out of nowhere, two truck drivers came along. They are native Americans too; and I was so glad I was with TJ and company. TJ and Colin got them to come around and help. With the six of us; we managed to push the car backwards out of the sand dunes; and finally “rescued” it.

I witnessed God’s love throughout this “unexpected event”. His Love for me, and also the love He created in all us – our hearts to help each other, unconditionally, without pretense. I was reminded of the parable of the good Samaritan. I do not know whether my Indian friends are of Christian faith; but I know He created us and gave each of us the heart to love. I thanked them graciously, and also thank Him for sending me angels – at the right place, and at the perfect time when I needed help most.

At the end I wasn’t able to take any sunset photos, but what I experienced was far more sweeter, heartfelt joyful and rewarding. My “plan” didn’t work out, but I experienced something better. The evening before 10/17.

Along US 163, I found this.

A relatively uneventful first day. First time experiencing “unassigned seating” on my Southwest flight, en route to Salt Lake City (I didn’t get the chance to meet the rapping flight attendant, unfortunately). I took the Camry as my rental car – in hindsight, I should have asked for a Jeep or mini-4×4 (see my later posts).

Driving across the arid and remote southwest landscape is certainly a unique and refreshing experience – but can also be a bit frightening, especially after dark. You see miles and miles of nothing-ness, except occasionally spotting patches of yucca and juniper along the highway. You are driving highways and byways cutting through valleys and canyons, while enclosed by complete darkness and stillness. It’s not my first time driving across these southwestern states, but such “hollow” and secluded feelings can be unbearable after hours and hours of driving; and you realize you have wandered into areas with neither cellular signals, nor radio stations reception. But somehow, paradoxically, I found myself drawn to such feelings of solitude and be lost in such desolate landscapes.

My 300-mile drive to Monticello included a stop at Moab, the mountain-bikers’ haven which I fell in love with, when I first visited the area close to ten years ago. I tried to find that one Chinese restaurant which I magically discovered and went last time – but couldn’t find it at the end. Instead of trying another all-you-can-eat Chinese-and-American joint, I decided to visit a tiny Thai restaurant called Singha. The decor looks authentic enough, though food was rather average (and a bit over-priced, even taken into consideration this is a touristy town). I ordered a dish with basil, which I remember she loves.

Spent the night at Monticello, started reading a book recommended by a number of dear friends: “Life with God”, by Richard Foster. A deeply insightful resource that talks about spiritual transformation for Christians. The first chapters reminded me of Immanuel, God is with me.

I was accompanied by music most of the day, including 陳奕迅 <上五樓的快活>, Swing <武當>, 方大同 <Timeless 可啦思刻> and 梁靜茹 <靜茹&情歌 – 別再為他流淚>.

There are moments in life where all you need…is music.

Nothing Ever Happened 陳奕迅
作曲: 林暐哲   作詞: 林嘉欣

Hey, you once called me your baby
Say it for the last time
With all your strength and meaning it this time

Hey, you once promised me the world
But I never asked for it
But I never asked for it

Hey, you once praised me beautiful
Why I’d get get weaker
Why would I get weaker

Oh please, please don’t,
I am so scared, scared you’re too perfect for me
Or am I too naive for you

Either way it’s too late
Too late for regrets, I’m hurrrrrrt
Leave me out of love
Leave love out, leave me out

Hey, let’s just pretend
Nothing ever happened
Nothing ever happened

Hey, let’s just pretend
Nothing ever happened
Nothing nothing never ever happened

突然心動 想到墾丁一遊
十一月返香港 順帶去台中台南走一趟
我想 也挺不錯的

轉一轉換環境
心境也該會好起來

國境之南, originally uploaded by bunnyairos.

最近和朋友談起 過往失戀的經歷
五年 十年以前發生的 想起還是痛
特別是第一次失戀 那些日子 更是痛不欲生

初戀 是難忘的
初次失戀 更難忘

多年前我在電台節目中提到”盡情”

大概是小時候 看過電視中播著萬事發香煙(Mild Seven)的廣告
很嚮往廣告中那自由奔放的意境

之後有一次對自己說 要試試 “盡情”享受駕開蓬車的樂趣
租了一架開蓬的吉普車(Jeep)
在Key West的七里公路(Seven Mile Bridge)
整個夏午飛馳著 來來回回 大蓋五六趟吧

人漸長越是不敢去享受 盡情 這一份感覺

盡情做 盡情試 盡情愛
全情投入愛得淋漓盡至 當然也會傷得體無原膚

未曾試過失戀 會毫無保留的去愛
經歷一次失戀 學會了愛自己
用心去愛 不過更會用理性去愛

朋友L君勸我 愛的感覺 不要去得太”盡”
想起陳奕迅的 <熱帶雨林>

太 熱烈的戀愛 用去的儲備
或者 以後的以後 永遠亦難治理

森林大火 燒不起很多次的
初戀
就是這麼的一次

Monument Valley, US, originally uploaded by Sir_Leif.

Found out there’s a special going on with Southwest and bought a round-trip ticket to Utah. Second time for me visiting Utah. I have always wanted to go to Monument Valley. Will be spending my mid-October there.

I think it’s a seven-hour drive from Salt Lake City. Thinking about revisiting Arches and Canyonlands along the way, after ten years.