Magical Places

"Going to the mountains is going home."

- John Muir

This painting above is of no particular place. The watercolor and brush found the sky, clouds, mountains and trees on the paper. But once I'd painted it, it seemed real to me.

If "going to the mountains is going home", I am fortunate to have found another place I feel at home. I spent a week at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in the mountains near Kanab, Utah.

As soon as I arrived a double rainbow appeared out of the rain and snow I'd driven through for over four hours. I got out of the car and felt like I was in my second home, surrounded by red rock beauty and a space that is home to over 1600 horses, dogs, cats, pigs, goats, rabbits and cats. I rented a cabin on the property and was spending the next week volunteering to work with staff to take care of the animals.

Many people who visit the sanctuary describe it as a magical place. I believe it's a combination of the safe space for homeless animals, the beauty of the surroundings and the joy you can see and feel from the staff who work in the sanctuary.

My week at the sanctuary ended with some sadness at the thought of leaving the magical place, but also with the contentment of having enjoyed every moment I was there. And how fortunate I was to be traveling from one set of mountains to another to be going home to the people, animals and beauty in my own magical place.