12 Comments
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Lucy Hearne Keane's avatar

Your diary photos are excellent. Good luck settling in 😍

Mark Jespersen's avatar

Good luck and bon courage with Provo. I hated it at first, BYU freshman year, and almost went back to Chicago. And then I met the American designer Milo Baughman, who hired me as a junior photographer. That led to work with Redford, who had just bought Timp Haven, the old ski chalet and tow ropes that are now Sundance. Some of my photographs taken while he was filming Jeremiah Johnson are still on the walls in the Tree Room. So yes, Provo can surprise you.

Anne Thomas's avatar

Wow, auspicious indeed! I had a great experience at BYU and in Provo as an undergrad, so I'm happy to be back. (Even if there are quirks.)

Shauna K. Hunt's avatar

I recognize most of these places. It must be a glorious let-down after the beauties of Europe. I think we forget that we live in a desert surrounded/divided by mountains.

I love your pictures! You must miss the dog, though. Have a wonderful week! We'll have to do a Substack meetup for the Provo/Orem area sometime.

Anne Thomas's avatar

Thanks Shauna! Utah certainly has beauties of its own, and in my opinion the mountains are on par with Europe's even if they're drier! I learned to love the desert when I was here as an ecology student. It's mostly the public infrastructure that's a let down. (although Provo isn't bad for a western city!)

And yes, a meetup is a good idea!

Betty Carlson's avatar

I have had this in my inbox for ages as I definitely wanted to leave a comment. I have a good friend who went to BYU so have been enjoying your notes about the area. I imagine you are overwhelmed with work as you start this new job. Take care!

Anne Thomas's avatar

Oh that’s a fun connection! Now that initial settling in admin has calmed down I’m not too overwhelmed, but that might change when I start teaching in the Fall…Thanks Betty!

Betty Carlson's avatar

Oh, I almost asked if you were already teaching -- that would have been a pretty crazy start to your year. Better to wait until la rentrée.

Anne Thomas's avatar

Yes, I’m very grateful my department allows for a soft start.

Donal McKernan's avatar

Before him the mountains were blinding white in the sun. They looked new born out of the hand of some improvident god who'd perhaps not even puzzled out a use for them. That kind of new. - Cormac McCarthy, The Crossing