January 29th, 1925

"The horizon has opened up, wide and unforgiving. I have reached the high deserts of Sage & Stone. Here, the lush greens of the South have vanished, replaced by a palette of dusty silver, burnt orange, and deep, aching ochre. The air is so thin and dry it feels like breathing light itself.

Crossing through Arkansas-which was like a gateway between the humid pines and this raw open country-the landscape shifted in to something ancient and silent. In the shadow of the red rockmesas, I feel small, yet more awake than ever. There are no ivy walls or iron gates here to lean on; there is only the wind over the scrub and the resilient spirit of those whomake their home in the dust. It is a land that demands respect before it offers up its beauty,"

                                  Eli