Prairie Notes are monthly photo/journal observations from Tandy Hills Natural Area by Founder/Director, Don Young. They include field reports, flora and fauna sightings, and more, mixed with a scoop of dry humor and a bit of philosophy. They are available free to all who get on the FOTHNA email list.

Everett Ruess

Prairie Notes #28

May 2, 2009

This special edition of Prairie Notes has nothing to do with Tandy Hills, specifically, but will be an inspiration to nature mystics in general.

Everett Ruess was the most amazing young man you never heard of. He was a talented artist, sensitive poet, philosopher and adventurer. Above all, he was connected to nature in a profound way.

In 1934 at the age of 20 he left his home in Los Angeles to explore the canyon country of southeast Utah, the most remote wilderness in the USA, often referred to as, Edward Abbey country. Shortly thereafter, young Everett disappeared and was never seen again.

His fate remained a mystery until this week.

Read more about this amazing story in the 4/30/09 New York Times and in the April/May, 2009 issue of National Geographic Adventure.

Watch a recent video here:
http://www.colorado.edu/news/r/356a0a9dbdbf0e34a25d98b1663b3ba3.html

I also recommend checking out the various books on the subject: Sandstone Sunsets: In Search of Everett Ruess, On Desert Trails with Everett Ruess and Everett Ruess: A Vagabond for Beauty. All are available at Amazon.

Everett Ruess FaceBook pages:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=54090313834
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=28967211516