Book Title: A Journal of the Plague Years – September 6, 2022

An anthology of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and artwork from high desert authors and artists.

by STeven lente:

This story describes coming to terms with the shortness of time we all have on earth and accepting our lack of control over nature.

we are all visitors (excerpt), page 98

"Brenda and I had to get away. We quarantined, we distanced, we got our shots, but we needed some time to reflect. In the last two years we shared a couple of personal losses unrelated to the pandemic, and the barrage of newscasts reminded us of the upcoming 20th anniversary of 9/11, the continual climbing count of COVID deaths, and the uncertainty of events in Afghanistan. I am already in a thoughtful mood when we head for the deserts of central Utah.

"We arrive, and almost at once the signs in Capitol Reef National Park play into my introspection by reminding us we are all visitors. At the entrance is the Visitor Center and to its left is Visitor Parking. We have campground reservations, however, so we do not stop, and even though we are staying for a week the camp host still logs us in as “visitors.” Only later would I understand the significance of this label."