Camel Rock
by Jon Burch Photography
Title
Camel Rock
Artist
Jon Burch Photography
Medium
Photograph - Digital Capture/faa Watermark Will Not Appear On Your Finished Photograph.
Description
The phrase "seeing the elephant" is an American phrase of the mid to late 19th century. Seen throughout the United States in the Mexican-American War, the Texas Santa Fe Expedition, the American Civil War, the 1849 Gold Rush, and the Westward Expansion Trails, the mythical elephant was an extremely popular way of expressing an overwhelming emotion. During the 20th century the phrase faded from popularity but when historians started taking note of its recurrence in historical newspapers, journals, and literature they often summed the elephant up too quickly and categorized it as a negative experience. Desolation and sadness may have been one trait of seeing the elephant, but it was certainly not the only or even the most prevalent. More often, American pioneers of the Overland Trails talk of the excitement and anticipation of heading west to see the elephant. Elephant "sightings" often begin with excitement and high ideals only to be disappointing or disenchanting. The high excitement followed by the low frustrations are what epitomize the elephant as something most wanted to "see" but few would have wanted to "see" again.
New Mexico however, is often discussed in terms of contrast, comparing its ancient Chaco Canyon Culture to recent 20th century nuclear bomb development. Another distinctive difference in this Land of Enchantment is a wide variety of land forms and topography. From its snow capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the north, ice caves and volcanic mountains which stretch across the state, to the white sand deserts to the south, New Mexico offers many scenic wonders.
Heading north out of Santa Fe, U.S. Route 84/285 travels through the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and a string of Eight Northern Indian Pueblos. Approaching Exit 175 and the Tesuque Pueblo newcomers to the Santa Fe area will see the distinctive Camel Rock along the road. Maybe the elephant is right around the corner...
Image copyright 2014 Jon Burch Photography
Uploaded
April 2nd, 2014
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