September 11 is a date Americans aren’t likely to forget. In 2001, I was on a morning mountain bike ride from my house in Durango, having lived there only a few months. I came home and started getting ready for work (at The Durango Herald) to my phone lit up with messages telling me to get to the newsroom as soon as I could. The rest is a blur of news stories, images and devastating emotions that left my colleagues and I – and the rest of (all of) America – reeling.
As of 2021, I have another – and very good – memory of Sept. 11: The day friend Tif and I went to Sand Wash Basin to load and bring three fillies back to Spring Creek Basin, where we were met by friend Kat to UNload the fillies to the rest of their life in our basin, tucked into a northeastern hideaway in Disappointment Valley.
We are far – so far – away from the world here, tucked into our own (mostly) peaceful valley. I rarely mention outside events, even when they affect me deeply. I’m no longer a journalist, but I do still have a journalist’s curiosity about the world. My world has shrunk, and I find what’s within these narrow boundaries is just where I want to be and what I want to continue to learn about – and share.
That said, history is worth remembering, lest we repeat the sometimes horrible events. … It’s also worth remembering the good parts of our personal histories, that we might repeat those events in the future.
Please don’t let the hate and violence in the greater outside world (or even near at hand) prevent you from embracing love and seeking beauty. It’s always there. Just as the other is. … But the beautiful parts are worth so very much more, always.
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 
Beautiful message along with some very beautiful pictures – as always!
Love your beautiful message to remember the beauty and dismiss the hate and violence in our world.
Thanks, Kerry. 🙂
Thanks, Nancy. 🙂
thank you for your beautiful words and thoughts. Your perspectives from the basin are always well thought out and genuine. I’m so happy that you’re where you are and so eloquently share your love for those beautiful mustangs with the rest of us 🙂
The horses and the place seem to bring that all out so well. 😊
Lovely horses, lovely peaceful views and certainly a message we all should live by.
Well worth it. 😊
TJ, I have an appreciation for your ability to put life’s experiences into perspective gently and firmly. Thank you for your reflections. Laura
Thanks so much, Laura! 😊
TJ, you may no longer be an official journalist, but you have the mind and beauty
Thanks, Karen. 😊
Such beautiful light.
It just kept getting better and better and better!
Beautiful pictures and comments!
Thanks, Karen! 😊
Such beautiful and peaceful photos for a day of remembrance.
Perfectly said. 🙂
Thank you for the beautiful narrative and stunning sunset photos to mark this day, TJ. I’m grateful that you – and we – share an existence in this relatively peaceful place where beauty truly is “always there.”
Oh, me, too, Sue. Me, too. 🙂 SO grateful!