A Breathless Moment

By C. LaRne Hall

Somewhere I read – Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. One such moment happened to me this past week as I traveled by air from my home near Salt Lake to the ANWA writer’s conference in Arizona.

I was lucky enough to get a window seat near the rear of the plane. I had never gone by air over southern Utah and I was anxious to see the country I love from a different view. Never could I have guessed what awaited me.

Even for a writer, there are not enough words to describe the experience. As we flew near Bryce Canyon, I was hypnotized. There were no clouds in the sky and the brilliant red rocks were so vivid I felt I could almost reach out and touch them. All too soon, the incident was over.

As we approached the Grand Canyon area, I wasn’t as lucky because most of it was on the other side of the plane. Coming back, I had a plan – I would sit on that side of the plane so I could see this amazing piece of nature. One problem with my plan – there were no window seats left. I was a bit perturbed because the young man in the seat next to the window slept all the way. I caught a brief glimpse of the Canyon, but not much because there were lots of clouds that day.

I do have one thing to look forward to. This coming summer – my daughter and I are flying back to Palmyra, New York and are going to Niagara Falls. I know that will be another one of those moments that will take my breath away.