The Thrill of the Unexpected

“Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don’t.”

-Steve Maraboli

An Unplanned Road Trip

Autumn 2023. I had not expected to be doing another road trip. During the summer, I had begun the journey of a cross country road trip with my mother. Driving from east to west coast, our destination was the beautiful city of Santa Cruz, California. The unexpected happened as we hurtled along I-80–my car engine completely gave out. Stranded at an unbecoming truck stop in Wyoming on a Saturday afternoon, the options seemed dismal. Most businesses were closed or closing, we were miles away from the nearest town, and AAA incorrectly entered my phone number, so when they called to tell me a tow truck could not be obtained through them…I did not receive the call.

Fortunately, an elderly couple who ran a towing business in the next town over was kind enough to pick us up, car included. They had a large family. They were good-natured, honest, and caring. It was a bright spot in our otherwise gloomy afternoon.

All of this background to say, I had to finish the trip (again) after my car was finished being repaired. I flew into Salt Lake City, and was reunited with my car, Stella. We once again began the journey towards California, but this time with an added adventure.

The Detour

As I drove along the winding roads, windows down and fresh mountain air pouring in, music playing on the radio, I felt a lightness. An sense of elation. I was living my dream. Taking in the vast valleys that stretched wide open to my right and the limestone cliffs rising up on my left, I entered into the greatest national park I had ever been in. My jaw dropped in awe. Seeing the nearest pull off point, I drifted to the right and put the car in park. Staring out into the valley beyond, I caught sight of birds taking flight, of a stream running through the bottom of the great mountains that stretched high up into the sky.

I continued on, and began my adventure into the park. After hiking along a trail for hours on end, capturing images of the valley, and hurrying back down the trail before the sun fully set, I was ready to call it a day. The following day as I was driving through the trees, I noticed a looming, vertical rock face peeking between the branches. Had I not been fully present and taking in my surroundings, I never would have noticed the perfect shot in front of me. Once again pulling off to the side, I grabbed my camera and jogged to the best vantage point. Raising my camera up, I captured “Giant in the Trees”.

The Composition

“Giant in the Trees” is a powerful image for multiple reasons.

First, you have the contrast of the dark trees in the foreground and the lightness of El Capitan in the distance. This creates an interesting play of the power dynamic, as El Capitan is grand, structurally dominant, and towers over the trees below, yet holds a lighter feeling due to the lighting created by the sun casting its rays upon the rock face. The darkness of the trees gives a feeling of strength and power despite the finite lifecycle compared to the granite monolith in the distance.

Second, the framing that is created by the trees. The tree on the left hand side of the photograph leans slightly to the right, directing the viewers attention to the center of the image, while the tree on the right hand side creates a less commanding, but just as important frame with added notes of color from the leaves, leaving a softer and more lively effect.

Third, the small touches of color from the leaves bring the attention down to the stream at the bottom of the picture. While the majority of the photograph has only a few colors, the different hues and temperatures that arise with the leaves brings in a sense of life. Without the added warm colors, the image would be void of anything alive or or vibrant. This would potentially leave the viewer with a sense of gloom.

The Learning Opportunity

Within every experience I have, I search for what I gained or learned. Regardless of how small or insignificant it may seem, there are always opportunities for growth.

During the road trip, I recognized my luck. My mother and I had not been harmed when my engine gave out. We met kind-hearted people who took the time to help us on their Saturday afternoon. I learned the importance of trusting my gut (my engine had been making a rattling sound, which was said to be normal by a mechanic along the way, but I knew something was off and had kept a close eye on it as we drove). I grasped an understanding of staying calm and composed in times of stress. I recognized the harm in placing blame, even if it was unto myself. I grew in my ability to adventure alone and found the beauty in solitude.

We often are placed in situations that challenge our way of thinking. It is up to us to control our reaction. My coach in college always told us “control the controllables”. I now take that phrase to heart and implement into every situation. We cannot command what is not in our power, we cannot change the weather, alter the emotions of another individual, or affect the results of a finished game. What we do have sway over, is our reaction to such events and uncontrollable factors/moments/experiences. We cannot command choose to be calm, or to throw a fit. We can choose to be happy for someone else, proud of their accomplishments, or wallow in our own misfortune and misery.

We have control. Do not forget that.

-Alicia Rose

“Giant in the Trees” by Alicia Rose. Yosemite 2023.