Winter in Utah is notorious for inversions.
Because we have mountains surrounding us, when the inversion happens, it often sticks around for days. It traps the pollutants in the air and they settle just above us.
When I woke up Saturday and couldn’t see beautiful mountains, my mood sank. Another day with no sun and dirty sky was not what I had in mind. Most of us don’t live where it is sunny all the time, and that lack of light can really get to a girl (or guy). My mood didn’t resemble depression or sadness. I was just mopey. Clearly this is not an attractive quality in a wife, because my husband insisted that I take a ride with him, right away.
I didn’t want to take a ride. I was too busy moping around. Mopey is defined as languishing, listless, droopy, or glum so you can understand why going for a ride seemed so challenging. After about 15 minutes of riding…
we rose above the inversion…
and drove into the light.
The clean air and sunny sky immediately took my mood from mopey to majestic. The sunlight made the snow glisten and the mountains basked in the warmth of the light. As we walked around the reservoir, we noticed lots of people there to soak in the scenery and a little vitamin D.
Some were there to talk a walk.
Some to enjoy the view.
And one was there for a little solitude.
When I thought about how easy it was to take action and turn my day around, I wondered why I resisted in the first place. So often we are in situations that could be remedied with a little action. Sometimes, just removing yourself from the scene for a little clarity is all it takes to move forward. Pay attention to the resistance and then move through it. If you can’t find your way, ask for help or accept it when someone offers. Usually, there are sunny skies on the other side.
Mark – You let me see the light and I love you for that.
Wow! Beautiful!
Courtney, great photos and great post. I know exactly what you’re talking about, I grew up in Mexico City where inversion is a huge problem. The city was built in a valley surrounded by volcanoes and mountains, and this is perhaps the greatest reason why there is such a pollution problem there. Of course, being the second largest city in the world doesn’t help. I’ve now lived in the midwest for about eight years, where every wintertime my existence can be defined as languishing, listless, droopy, or glum. Thanks for the bright spot today!
Sergio – Glad to share a little light!
Beautiful photographs Courtney – love the way you used nature to understand your emotions. She’s a great teacher 🙂
Steve, a great teacher and nature really gets me thinking creatively.
What a beautiful post. And how wonderful that your husband knew exactly what to do to pull you out of the funk!
Cheri, He always knows. It is one of the many reasons we are so good together.
We occasionally get inversions here. I’ve been able to view them like this a few times after snow shoeing or hiking on the local mountains. Beautiful post, beautiful pictures. Thank you.
Where did you go?
I live in Salt Lake and there are many times I want to escape the inversion but lack the ‘umph’ to do it! You have no inspired me!
What reservoir was this?
I think it was East Canyon on the way to Park City off 215. Easy ride, amazing views. There are lots of snowshoeing/hiking trails there too.
The actual reservoir is called “Little Dell”
Wow!! What a dramatic difference – and gorgeous photos!
I wish it were that easy where I live! There is no “driving to the light”. At least we have been blessed with snow (yes, I said “blessed with snow”) so it doesn’t look so gloomy without the sun.
I suffered from major depression and have found that even now, when I’m just gloomy, the old saying “misery loves company” comes into play. And sometimes that company is me wanting to just wallow in my misery. Weird, huh?
Marnie, have you ever considered the sun lamps. I don’t know anything about them, but I can imagine that if it’s the right product, it could help. Maybe ask a doctor about it. If you do try it, I would love to hear your thoughts on it. I think lack of sunlight can seriously contribute to depression and other illness.
simply love. I really like the last picture.
Aloha, Courtney!
So sweet of you to link to our little corner of aloha on the web. 🙂 I really enjoyed your post; I can so identify for a couple of reasons, one you may be surprised at. I lived at the base of a mountain for a number of years and still remember the lack of light in our lives, especially during the rough winter weather, we would use any excuse to drive even in frigid temps to the coast feeling the hours long drive worth it to see sun reflected on water. Which brings me to our island life today and the fact that even here in our “winter” we can get socked in on this part of the island with lingering rains and I’ll find myself missing the sun and getting mopey, inevitably my husband will do me the same sweet favor Mark did you and drag me out of the house in search of a spot with blue skies, even when we’re not totally successful the physical act of getting moving and breathing fresh, even if rainy, air lifts my mood and reminds me to be grateful! Thanks for sharing the absolutely beautiful images, I’ll be happily passing this along :)Sending as much warmth and aloha as the web allows your way!
Appreciate it. This certainly helps me to see life through a more human lens.
Ahh, but this can have much deeper meaning as well Courtney. Sometimes we have to rise above our situations to get a much clearer perspective. That being said, I love the pictures, as well as the post!
Bernice
Be authentic, be engaging, and be ready for change
Glad you noticed that Bernice. 😉
Thank you Courtney! Great post and a great reminder that sometimes it only takes a little distance to see your way out of a seemingly unhappy situation. Love the pictures, especially the first one. I have shorthairs (yes, multiple) so I have a big soft spot for those golden eyes and silky brown ears.
Keep it coming,
A
Amy, All of the images except for the dog are mine, but he fit the “mopey” description so well, that I couldn’t pass up the image. Beautiful dog!
great post and great pics!! wow
Very inspiring and lifting. I’ve had days where I’m mopey too so it is not just a girl that can get that way. In fact, I’ve been sick today and have felt pretty mopey until just a little while ago. It’s funny how writing makes me feel better.
Although it seems like I’m a broken record when I write this as a comment I’m going to do it yet again.
Great Post!
-Kevin
I really enjoyed this story and pictures Courtney! Yes, the sunshine on Roatan goes a long way toward a feeling of inner calm. Even Dr Oz has said that one of the most beneficial factors is “natural” vitamin D. How wonderful that you could climb to the light!
While breathtakingly beautiful… I fear my flip-flopped toes wouldn’t handle it so well in person. Thanks for letting me enjoy it through your photos.
Genny
beautiful snowy mountains always make me smile! Thank you for sharing your gorgeous photos! Have a great day!
Not only are you a marvellous blogger Courtney you have talents as a photgrapher too! It’s amazing how, in a big packed world, there are still places of pure unadulterated beauty and peace where we can re-connect to the silence inside and the majesty of nature. Thank you for some images of heaven!
Great post; great photos; great husband – he could see ‘beyond the mope’ (or inversion)! Hopefully, this will inspire me to do the same.
Teresa x
Amazing as usual. I’ve spent so many many months in the dark trying to work through the trials of life. Now i know all i needed to do was look up and allow the light to find me.
Courtney, I know exactly how you feel. Which is why my husband and I often drive to the mountains (we live in Calgary) on the weekend. Just the drive, a time to chat, a walk with the dog at a beautiful park is enough to re-energize us and put the stress of a work week behind us. The scenery near you is gorgeous… should be your go-to-place for times like this. Enjoy the sunshine…. but don’t worry, spring will be here before we know it!
What a positive post! You made my day a little cheerier!
Beautiful pictures. The first one would make me mopey also. Like today in Chicago. We’re getting ready for a blizzard and the sky is gray and blustery and the sun seems to be hiding. I love the days where the sky is blue and the snow glistens. I don’t even mind the cold then.
Now to just remember to take action when I’m feeling mopey instead of wallowing in it!
This is the darkest part of the year in upstate New York, and the lack of sunlight has been weighing on me pretty heavily (SAD runs in my family). Light boxes can help, and they’re widely available online.
Great photos, too!
Great post! Love the pictures and the mood transition. Sometimes it’s the little things right?
What is the Jimmy Buffet song? Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, right?
The day is what you make of it, thats why I have always been an advocate of getting out of your area, going for a drive, just getting out, breathing that air, etc.
Glad to see you made the most of your day!