Kazan 360

“ . . . in the great range of human inquiry we desire not merely to know the sorts of things that are revealed in scientific papers, but to know what is beautiful, and edifying in a far away place. . . . The land retains an identity of its own, still deeper and more subtle than we can know, our obligation to it then is simple, to approach with an uncalculating mind, with an attitude of regard to try and sense the range and variety of its expressions, its weather and colors and animals.  To intend from the beginning to preserve some of the mystery within it as a kind of wisdom to be experienced, not questioned.  And to be alert to its openings for that moment when something sacred reveals itself in the mundane and you know the land knows you are there."

                                                                                                                                                                             -- Barry Lopez, Arctic Dreams