Until we understand what the land is, we are at odds with everything we touch. And to come to that understanding it is necessary, even now, to leave the regions of our conquest – the cleared fields, the towns and cities, the highways – and re-enter the woods. For only there can a man encounter the silence and the darkness of his own absence. Only in this silence and darkness can he recover the sense of the world’s longevity, of its ability to thrive without him, of his inferiority to it and his dependence on it. Perhaps then, having heard that silence and seen that darkness, he will grow humble before the place and begin to take it in – to learn from it what it is.
Wendell Berry
Twenty years ago in May of 2004 I made a motorcycle trip to the Badlands for a few days of tent camping and photography. It was my first trip there and I loved it. The vistas, the rugged landscape (they call it Badlands for a good reason), the silence, the sheer beauty, all left a permanent imprint on me. I distinctly remember the experience of silence! Every once in a while I feel the pull to return and experience its presence one more time. But I also want to return because I need time away from the chaos of what Berry calls the “the regions of our conquest.” I can also say this about other places of nature I’ve experienced, including the local natural areas. I wonder if that pull is because of our one-on-one encounter with nature, the silence and the darkness? And who knows, maybe the whisper I hear is nature calling me. What will I learn when I return?
6 Comments
Tom Dills
We’ve only visited the Badlands once, and I agree that it is a beautiful, wonderful and unique place. There are other wonderful places but I’ve never seen anything like those hills. Theodore Roosevelt comes close but it is not the same. We head to Yellowstone in a few weeks, a place I also expect to be wow-ed by. Hopefully we will be there in between the snow and the crowds. And hopefully we’ll have a latte or two in Fort Collins on our way home! 😉
Monte Stevens
Nature has its own uniqueness and beauty no matter where you visit. Seems we need to make hast to see these before man wipes them out. Looking forward to seeing you two!
Mark
Beautiful photo. We took a family trip “out west” when I was a kid – traveling through the Badlands. I remember it being quite unique. Well, basically like your photo! 🙂 Someday maybe I’ll go back, whether it is there or some other place far enough away from those regions of conquest so appropriately described by Mr. Berry.
Monte Stevens
Returning has been on my mind a lot and it’s really not that far. It does have its own beauty. For me it’s a gret place to escape our regions of conquest. I just think that’s a wonderful way to say it!! 😂
geri oster
Monte, you so beautifully captured the unsoiled beauty of this precious treasure of my home state. I wonder if you visited Wounded Knee to the south of the Badlands. Your photo and your words have me longing for a return to this sacred, quiet place.
Monte Stevens
No, I did not visit Wounded Knee. I will make sure it’s on the list next time up there. It’s beauty does invoke the desire to return. Glad you like the image.