Everything I Love

While much of the country is currently buried under unexpected amounts of snow, Moab is once again having a mostly snow-free winter. That contrast sent me digging into the archives, where I rediscovered a small mountain of winter photographs - hundreds of them, actually. I’ll be sharing more over the coming days, but I wanted to begin with a handful of my absolute favorites.

These images stand out not just for the light and the landscape, but for the day they were made.

Winter snow in the desert is fleeting. After nearly 30 years of living in Moab, I’ve learned the rule well: if it snows, drop everything, grab a camera, and go. Aside from a few rare exceptions, you usually have only a short window - sometimes just hours - to photograph snow clinging to red rock before the sun erases it.

These particular photographs were taken on New Year’s Eve, a day that has long held special meaning for Rhonda and me. Nearly forty years ago, on New Year’s Eve, we started dating. That single decision quietly opened the door to every good thing that followed. Looking back, it feels fitting - maybe even inevitable - that one of our most beautiful winter days in Moab would arrive on that same date.

We had plans that day to celebrate our dating anniversary when snow began falling around noon. True to form, we grabbed our cameras and headed into Arches National Park for what we assumed would be a few quick shots. Of course, “a few” turned into an entire afternoon of wandering, laughing, and tromping through fresh snow together.

The real surprise came as we were leaving the park. The sun had disappeared behind thick clouds nearly half an hour earlier, and we assumed the show was over. Then, as if on cue, it broke through once more - an encore performance - washing the park in a soft, heavenly pink glow.

Pure magic - everything I love, all in one spot.