Sage Crush

 

My legs brush the sage

hanging over the trail.

I crush the pale green leaves

and rub them between my hands.

Inhale the masculine scent

that blankets these high plains.

Continue along this trail

that rises with the foothills.

The higher mountains beyond,

remain always in view.

While following the path

scented with sage.

© 2026 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations: 

1. & 2. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming

3. San Juan National Forest - Colorado

Into the Silence

 

Confortably content

in this remote wilderness,

we climb the shoulder

of this massive mountain.

Feel its dependable permanence.

We've escaped the noise

of the world left behind

and follow this hiking trail

into the silence.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. West Elk Wilderness Area - Colorado

2. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming

Poet Trees

 

I have removed the obstacles.

Tossed aside the branches and sticks.

Raked away the fallen debris.

And now the trail is smooth for you.

Won't you please enter my poet trees?

The words are clear and accessible.

The light shimmers through the trees.

An inviting path of discovery;

a gift for you,

from me.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Ohio Creek Pass - Crested Butte, Colorado

2. Snake River Overlook - Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming

Reading the Future

 

When we hiked up this mountain trail,

and reached this elevation,

we were so much younger.

The long heat of July

blanketed the valley

in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Sarah took this photograph

with my Canon camera

and captured this warm moment.

We were together at the summit,

looking east into the distance,

as if we could read the future.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

Targhee National Forest - Idaho/Wyoming

Inheritance

 

As you drive through,

or better yet, hike into

our national parks,

the spectacular land

that surrounds you

is your national inheritance.

If you're a senior,

your admittance is a pittance.

So get out there

and claim your legacy.

Let your legs take you

along tranquil trails,

so that your eyes may inherit

what is admirable and praiseworthy.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 5. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming

2. & 6. Glacier National Park - Montana

3. Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado

4. Zion National Park - Utah

The Message

 

I am following this trail

through the foothills of mountains.

On a new journey of exploration.

A slow walk of observation.

Eyes and ears alert.

Absorbing this experience.

Paying attention to the land.

Engaging the headwind.

Listening to the message

emerging from the earth.

Perceiving God's glory

within His marvelous creation.

Woven with divine transcendence.

Becoming an inheritor of the word.

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 2. Silverton, Colorado

3. West Elk Mountains Wilderness - Colorado

Trail Run

The cold light of morning
glares through the windows.
I stare into the mystery
of a newly dawning day.

Soon the sun breaks the horizon;
invites me outside for a run.
On the wooded trail I push my pace
and burst through the sun's slanted rays.

My quickened breath and fast footfall
attain a solid rhythm, a familiar confidence.
Feet are cushioned by soft pine needles
as thighs and calves drive up steep hills.

I run strong under White Pines and tall oaks,
circling the perimeter of Pickerel Lake.
Nearing the finish, I push even harder,
welcome the challenge, spend what is left.

At the end of the trail
I stop my stopwatch, and proclaim out loud:
"Thank you God for this morning blessing!"

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

1. Pickerel Lake Park / Fred Meijer Nature Preserve - Kent County - Michigan

A Trail of Words

Constructing a new pathway;
authoring an alternative adventure.

A trail of words
to walk along;
to explore
with your 
imagination.

© 2019 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Mesa Verde National Park - Colorado

2. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve - Colorado

3. Koreshan State Park - Florida

"Why do you drive?"

They ask:
"Why do you drive, when you could fly?" 
I answer:

 to see the breadth of the land,

 to feel the expanse of the sky,

 to experience the weather,

 to sense the mass of the mountains,

to encounter the wildlife,

to hold all this in my mind,
to contain it in my soul,
to share it with you.

© 2019 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Monument Valley - Utah

2. Flathead Lake - Montana

3. Flaming Gorge - Utah

4. Pray, Montana

5. Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado

Here in Winter

Gone are the delicious,
delightful days of spring;

gone are the long,
luxurious days of summer;

gone are the gorgeous,
glorious days of autumn;

now we endure the hard,
harsh days of winter;

drab and dreary,
rigid and relentless;

bleak and brittle,
but wait! ...

Observe with open eyes:

Magical moon shadows
are cast upon the snow.

Winter weeds exhibit
exquisite beauty.

Frozen fields are smoothed
by the simplicity of snow. 

Chickadees bring joy to the feeders.
Woodpeckers still hammer the hardwoods.

A thin skin of ice
fingers the narrow streams.

The glare of white sun
reflects the purity of snow.

Water in winter rivers
sings a colder, older song.

Here in winter 
are frozen lakes
you could walk on.

Here in winter
are wooded trails
you could ski on.

Here are the wonderful,
wondrous days
of winter.

© 2017 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1, 3, & 6. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

2. Grattan Township - Kent County, Michigan

4. Bear Creek - Townsend Park - Kent County, Michigan 

5. Grand River - Ada Township - Kent County, Michigan

Along

For Mary; on our 45th anniversary:

I have walked with you:

on the shoulders of mountains,

along ribbons of rivers,

in the deep forest of trees,

along the edge of the shore,
under the cathedral of stars,
among spring choirs of birdsong.

Along this trail of life
that God has mapped out for me,
I would chose you again.

© 2016 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. West Elk Wilderness Area - Gunnison, Colorado 

2. Yellowstone River - Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming 

3. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming

4. Beverly Beach State Park - Oregon 

The Next

The heart, the soul, the mind,
are searching for
a home, a rest, a sanctuary,
while looking
down the road,
down the trail,
down the stream,
for the next
opportunity, desire, dream.

The next
time to
shine.

©  2014  Richard Havenga













Photo Location:

Cataract Falls,  Marin County,  (Marin)  California

Aspen Fire

Walking along this shaded trail,
around the bend, on the ridge,
scattered among deep green spruce.

This sudden appearance.
This bright surprise.
I am stunned.

Breathless.
Captured by the light
of extravagant creation.

The Spirit summons.
Penetrates my soul.
Ignites a joyful song.
I feel recreated.

Aflame with passion.
Thankful for my vision.
Grateful for His presence.

I attend this aspen fire.
Let it grow.
Out of control,

with
triumphant
words of praise.

© 2013  Richard Havenga

Click on photo to enlarge.

Photo Location:

Grand Mesa,  (Grand Mesa)  Colorado  (Colorado) 



A Hike We Like - "Angels Landing"

In 2008 Mary and I hiked the famous "Angels Landing (for the second time) located in Zion National Park, in Southwest Utah. (Utah) We returned in 2009 and hiked it again with our very fit daughter, Sarah. She flew in from San Francisco just to spend some loving and laughing time with Mommy and Daddy.

This series of photographs is meant to entice you, not frighten you. This is an absolutely thrilling route, but do not attempt the last half-mile if you fear heights. Along this narrow trail, some sections are only 24" - 36" wide. Seriously, I just checked my Journal. The vertical drops from here are 800 feet on one side, and 1200 feet on the other side.

I will try not to talk (write) too much as you enjoy the views of the Angels Landing Trail. (For you other Writers and/or Editor types: in all the resources I checked, there is no apostrophe on either side of the s)

This is only a 5-mile, round-trip hike, but it is strenuous and, as they say, rigorous!

Okay, got your water bottles or "CamelBack"? Here we go. Hang on to the chains!

Prepare to have your breath taken away!

Sarah and Mary grab some light shade in a shallow cave.

Sarah finds alternate exit.

Looking up at the ridge that we will soon be climbing.

Early portion of the chain trail, ascending the ridge.

Sarah imitates the falcon that just flew over.

That's the road, the river, and shuttle buses at the bottom.

Closer to the top, but we're not there yet.

My two favorite people in the world.

A view back at the ridgeline we just hiked.

Trace the trail along the ridge.

Looking down on the highly perched Peregrine Falcon.

Sarah gives her "Thank you God for a wonderful day" pose. She sings it aloud with her wonderful voice.

Climbing the rocks and roots with a chain assist.

I told you the trail was narrow.

That's the Virgin River well below us, circling a pinnacle named "The Organ".

Plenty of room on this platform, even for my long feet.

Havenga good time at the top. We have landed.

A shuttle bus below with 50 people aboard.

Sarah, Mary, Rich

An easy part of the trail with natural "steps".

Zion Canyon.

Lunch break on the landing. Angel feeds husband sardines and crackers.

Perched on the peak.

Mary heads back down, but waits for photographer husband. Here I come.

Mary descends "Walter's Wiggles", 21 zigs and zags.

Reward for our hot feet: a refreshing dip in the cool current of the Virgin River, back on the floor of Zion Canyon.

Here's my angel cooling her feet. I'm ready to jump in the river with her.


Trail Details:

1. Within Zion National Park, take the free shuttle service to the Grotto Picnic Area.
2. Walk across the bridge over the Virgin River to the Trailhead.
3. Follow the West Rim Trail.
4. Go through the cool, shady, "Refrigerator Canyon".
5. Climb up the zig-zagging "Walter's Wiggles".
6. Above "Scout's Lookout" is where it gets serious.
7. Be aware of anyone in your party with Acrophobia.
8. Elevation gain: 1,520 feet.
9. Trail type: Out and Back.
10. The perch at the top on "Angels Landing" holds 360* views of Zion Canyon.
11. Difficulty: Strenuous.
12. Distance: 5 miles, roundtrip. Sounds short, but it is rigorous.
13. Hiking Time: 5 hours, round trip, average.
14. Add more time for photographs.
15. Add 1/2 hour at the top to take it all in, and to revel in your accomplishments.



After 40 years of traveling the West, Zion has always been in our top three all-time favorite national parks. And they have several more trails to choose from.

Over the decades, we've hiked many trails throughout this beautiful country, but "Angels Landing" still ranks Number One.

If you are still wondering where to go this summer, we can "highly" recommend:


Landing with the Angels!