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MOUNTAINS HIGH

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WQW #31: Mountains – Nature’s Peace

I grew up in low rolling hills, spent a decade atop a mountain on which Jerusalem sits, and now am back in the low rolling hills of south central Massachusetts. I’ve spent vacations in many places around this country and the world. If I had a choice, the mountains are my favorite place to be. It might be my imagination, but I would swear the air is cleaner and breathing is easier on a mountain.

The Superstition Mountains on the outskirts of Phoenix may well look familiar. They were the setting for many western movies. A formidable heap of naked rocks, I can’t imagine anything living there.
The rolling mountain with morning mist in Vermont
Photo: Garry Armstrong – Sunset at Attean view, Jackman, Maine
“Nothing humbles a man like gravity.” – Cottonmouth. @LukeCage
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Categories: #gallery, #MarilynArmstrong, #Photography, Arizona, landscape, Mountains

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34 replies

  1. Marsha
    08/22/2022 • 12:41

    Marilyn, these photos are award-winning. Your quote is hilarious yet deadly serious. I lived in Colorado Springs at an elevation of 6,300 feet. The natives there claimed that the air was super polluted, although I couldn’t see it. Since the air is thinner at higher elevations, it takes less pollution to create a problem. We live at 5,300 feet now, and I still struggle with allergies that have not plagued me as much even in the filthiest air in the country where we lived in California. So there is probably something to that. That said, I do prefer the mountains and the beautiful mountain views. Thanks for sharing this week.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marilyn Armstrong
      08/22/2022 • 13:15

      I remember when my mother visited me in Jerusalem. She said she was sure the stars were closer there than elsewhere. I thought so too. Actually many people thought that somehow, we were all closer to whatever was “out there.” When we drove down the mountain, the air felt immediately heavier. In this case, it wasn’t pollution because we had zero industry and our electricity mostly came from Jordan (yes, we were at war, except war isn’t always war when it comes to utilities and natural resources — it gets complicated). Maybe it was the humidity from the Mediterranean, but there was a difference. After all these years, I STILL miss Jerusalem. Not the politics or any of that stuff — but Jerusalem was special.

      Liked by 2 people

      • Marsha
        08/22/2022 • 15:04

        I would love to see it. I was going to go with my friend who survived the Holocaust. Unfortunately her dementia worsened and she eventually passed before that happened.

        Liked by 1 person

        • Marilyn Armstrong
          08/22/2022 • 17:20

          The politics are insane but the place is amazing. If you get the opportunity, go, even if you have to hire a guide. Actually, the GUIDES are amazing too. They know all kinds of stuff you can’t find in books. I don’t mean a bus tour. There are actual human guides you can hire and they are truly remarkable, especially if you are reasonably agile. Regardless of what your religious (or non-religious) background is, just the history and all those really REALLY ancient ruins…

          I eventually gave up on the politics, but I never stopped loving the place and the regular people who lived there.

          Liked by 1 person

          • Marsha
            08/22/2022 • 21:57

            Politics are such a pain at all levels in all places, but they are a part of life and living together in a society. I stay as far away from them as possible. Definitely, Jerusalem is an historic place that I’d love to see.

            Like

            • Marilyn Armstrong
              08/23/2022 • 15:56

              Just don’t talk about politics OR religion. After almost a decade living there, I realized the problems are not going to be solved. Ever. Everyone is stuck in the same place and no one is willing to budge. You can’t fix anything if no one is willing to change. I gave up. Who knew it was going to be worse back here?

              Liked by 1 person

              • Marsha
                08/23/2022 • 21:33

                LOL, isn’t that the truth? Of course, it’s not a bit funny, but it is the truth. However just when we feel bad for ourselves and overwhelmed by what’s going on here, we read a post from someone else in the world who’s going through life and death situations. My friend Liana B from LightWriteLife has just experienced a terrible flood, and describes it in her post. Nothing political just survival.

                Like

                • Marilyn Armstrong
                  08/25/2022 • 23:34

                  If Americans were more involved in the reality of survival, we’d have less time to spend on wacko websites full of bizarre cabals. I don’t even have time for that. I can barely find enough to time make my day worthwhile, much less cruise the web for weird cabals.

                  Liked by 1 person

                • Marsha
                  08/26/2022 • 15:35

                  I can’t say that my site is purely survival unless you consider the joy of having life survival. I don’t think it’s a weird cabal site! LOL I’m just glad you come visit, Marilyn. 🙂

                  Like

    • Garry Armstrong
      08/22/2022 • 16:35

      Marsha, it sounds like there is no escaping pollution. That is very sad. Our fault, yes?

      Liked by 1 person

      • Marsha
        08/22/2022 • 21:58

        Our fault, and the cows. In Tulare County where we lived for many years, we had as many cows as people and they made a huge contribution to the methane gas problem in that area.

        Liked by 2 people

  2. Toonsarah
    08/22/2022 • 12:22

    I think you are definitely right about the mountain air! I always feel I have more energy when I’m in mountain landscapes 🙂 Your shots are lovely, especially the Superstition Mountains and the mist in Vermont!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marilyn Armstrong
      08/22/2022 • 13:19

      I suppose it could be the thinness of air at that altitude, but I always felt energized. At least it isn’t total flat lands here. We’re on the edge of the Worcester Hills, so we are at least up a little bit. Still, give me mountains any day.

      Everyone in Arizona calls them “The Supes.” There aren’t any roads up there. You’d have to travel there on foot or maybe very sure-footed horses. Whenever we watch a movie and I see those red rocks, I yell: “Hey, I have PICTURES of that!”

      Liked by 2 people

      • Garry Armstrong
        08/22/2022 • 16:40

        I’m still amazed at all the stuff that John Ford and his entourage went through – in the 40’s – to shoot those classic westerns in Monument Valley and the surrounding areas.
        Getting there was more exciting than the stuff we saw on film.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. K.L. Hale
    08/22/2022 • 07:05

    Marilyn, these stunning photos, and your words, brought tears to my eyes. Mountains are my favorite. As a lover of western movies, I have enjoyed some of these views. Thank you, and Garry, for capturing this beauty and sharing it with us. 💛

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marilyn Armstrong
      08/22/2022 • 13:21

      I took THOUSANDS of pictures during our two long trips to Arizona so a lot of the time, when I’m watching a movie I actually recognize the specific location because I have pictures of it. I’m sure something lives up there but I’m betting mostly lizards, snakes, and maybe hawks and eagles.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Garry Armstrong
      08/22/2022 • 16:42

      K.L. – I fantasized I was in a John Ford movie during our time in those mountains. I don’t think I could handle it in reality. Still, so very beautiful to behold.

      Like

  4. Kiki
    08/22/2022 • 04:54

    Fabulous photos, great quote!
    The air IS definitely purer and cleaner hogh up, I can confirm as a Swiss gal.
    You would love our mountains. I am not a mountain lover, bit a great admirer from afar. I love the rolling hills where I live now and am happy to stare at the high mountains not very far. I need the proximity to water. HH needs the mountains, so 🇨🇭 is perfect. The hills of Vermont make my heart sing!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marilyn Armstrong
      08/22/2022 • 13:25

      That is the one problem with mountains. If you grew up near the sea, most mountains are inland. Most — but not all. That was the only thing I missed living in Jerusalem. Water. There were springs, but no lakes, rivers or coast. Haifa’s mountains go right to the water’s edge and there are places in Maine like that. Mostly, though, real mountains are inland.

      Jerusalem was a special place to live. I always felt it was a privilege living there.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. mic
    08/22/2022 • 02:51

    👌👌👌📷⛰🌹

    Like

  6. Sadje
    08/22/2022 • 02:06

    Beautiful photos. Love the quote

    Liked by 1 person

  7. robertawrites235681907
    08/22/2022 • 01:06

    These are stunning photographs, Marilyn. I also love the mountains. The peace and natural setting of a mountain is very restoring for my soul.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Athira
    08/22/2022 • 00:37

    Beautiful pictures

    Liked by 1 person

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