Escapism // Death Valley
I’ve needed to clear my head…
Death Valley is the known as one of the harshest environments on the planet. An unlivable habitat plagued by heat. The mountains that surround the Valley stand unapologetically raw- formidable, natural earth. Nothing gentle about them other than their authenticity, boastful in being unconquered for a million years after rising from the bottom of the sea.
It’s the least forgiving place for man & machine. No comforts, no shelter, no retreat. By motorcycle you chose to bridge the void. There’s no separation from you and the sun. Nothing to cool you from the 108 degree heat. You and land are only separated by the 6 inches beneath your feet, and the distance you close at 100mph. That ground beneath you is real and so are the consequences of not being present. There’s no distractions. It’s you and your mind.
When riding 5-6 hours at a time you think your thoughts will drift off, but they don’t. I find myself laser focusing on one thing because you cant concentration on much else. The wind in your face and through your helmet is loud. Your body is shaking from the engine beneath you and your hands are frozen from the non-stop rip of the throttle. Your brain is exhausted from pumping cortisol after a hundred cars pass you by, head on, just feet away. And your arms wear out from clenching on to your machine as headwinds actively try to pull you off its back.
It’s not comfortable, but it’s peaceful. And most of the time, peace is exactly what we need.
I find beauty in the desert because it’s a no bullshit kind of place. One of the only places in humanity that proudly shows its cards saying, “Here I am- violent, merciless and cruel” and makes no effort be anything else. At the heart of that honesty, there’s beauty & an attraction that draws you in.
There’s beauty in being honest with where you’re at and who you are. You may be broken, may be blemished, may be torn. But at least you’re undisguised- just like the mighty mountain.
I come out to the desert to clear my head. To witness God’s creations that give me these reminders to ease the burden in my own life.
A friend of mine reminds me, “The best of man, is man at best”. And isolation helps shrink my burden of God-like responsibility and surrender my heart & mind to a process organized way above me. My greatest fault in life is that I grew up too fast. Wanted to be a man so bad I forgot to enjoy being a boy, filled with creativity, adventure and ease- remembering the limitless possibilities of life. And having the courage to make changes, follow your heart and forgive yourself for not having it all figured out.
You reach an age where you realize that being a man isn’t about respect or strength; it’s about being aware of all the things you touch. Moments like this help recenter me. Remind me who I am, where I came from, and where I want to go.