We often seek out solitude in the wilderness, but humans are social animals at heart. And what's happening here is a communal experience—a collective sharing of something beautiful.

This is not traditional. This is not normal. Tourism is on the upswing in Western states. Yet these spaces are best enjoyed empty. These are not social spaces. These are not gathering places. I'm suffering from that particular malady, the overemphasis of social marketing for "NMTrue." Almost all of our beautiful isolated spots in NM have been marketed and mobbed. When you have to march in a line of tourists to see the slot canyons at Tent Rocks, why bother? The beautiful view and silence is destroyed by colorful clothing, constant shouting (is noone capable of talking in a normal voice anymore?) and the huff/puff of the shuffling sea-level human. The endless selfie addiction. People stomping off-trail and destroying flora. I now go in winter or during storm season (if allowed). That's the only time you can experience it as we did a decade ago; even then, off-trail tracks last a long time. Our campgrounds are invaded by 'vagabonders', noisy self-interested young folk recording themselves with various devices getting sloshed in picturesque perfection.

My years in the desert have ingrained a reverence for the area not unlike a venerated church or chapel. You visit hushed, in wonder. You don't plop down with a blanket and beer, and have a party. As I operate my camera, I am uniquely aware of each small sound I generate, and find myself purposely trying to minimize them further, as if too much noise might frighten away a fleeting numinous experience. And the numinous appears, when you stay quiet. Those close encounters with fauna that seem once-in-a-lifetime, but are actually rather frequent if you just eliminate your noise.

But that's me. It seems American culture would prefer to turn natural areas into an outdoor episode of "Cheers." First come the people. Next, porta-potties and drink-vendors. McD, Wal-Mart and Disney follow. I must move farther away from humanity, soon, I deem.