The Road

Bears Ears National Monument, Muley Point, Utah 

By Nancy Collins 

24th August 2019 

There is so much to see at Muley Point; standing on the cliff ridge the eye is drawn down to the valley below. The San Juan curves its way through the canyon and silhouetted in the distant Monument Valley stands majestic. Along the bottom a dirt road winds across the mesa, visible from almost every spot on the ridge. This road hugs the edge of the canyon before peeling away and fading into the distance. 

A reminder of humans imprint on the land? A constant need to mark? 

I prefer to think of it as a beautiful line across the desert, signifying journeys, adventure and excitement. Sometimes a subtle shadow, other times a powerful stamp on the land. Looking back through my pictures I’ve noticed that the road appears in almost all of the them, I seem to feel a pull to this winding ribbon. I wanted to acknowledge its presence and beauty.