""

Somewhere Between Here and There

I am a professional photographer living in the middle of Nowhere. And this blog serves two purposes until I decide otherwise. Dispatches from Nowhere offers insights into and vignettes of this small rural town and the people who define Nowhere. As well, it provides an outlet for the photography I create for Arizona Highways magazine, an internationally acclaimed photography magazine showcasing the best Arizona has to offer to visiting tourists, its residents and lost souls.

VISIT NOWHERE, ARIZONA

VISIT NOWHERE, ARIZONA

In The Beginning

You see, I was raised in a small Iowa town 50 years ago by two incredible parents. But then, I up and moved to Arizona to become a photographer. This profession has been exceptionally good to me. Depending on the workload and the season, I reside in a number of spots: Nowhere, Tempe or Flagstaff, Arizona or Goldfield, Iowa or Puerto Peñasco, Mexico. As a part-time resident of the tiny village of Nowhere, I have a unique perspective on the folks who live and work in a place which time has passed by. And, I'd like to share this fascinating place with you. When I'm somewhere other than Nowhere, I'm likely on assignment either for a corporate client or Arizona Highways magazine. And, as this blog matures, I'll be presenting the photography and the stories behind the photography I've shot for the magazine since 1985. And with any technological luck, I'll be providing dispatches to this blog while I'm actually on current assignments. All along, you'll come to know Nowhere and its common people with uncommon problems and personal achievements. Early dispatches offer some background into the town itself while newer dispatches will reveal the character of the townsfolk. Enjoy.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

It's Heartly Fair

Those of us living in Arizona know what today is. February 14 is the day we celebrate two events: Statehood Day AND Valentine's Day. Supposedly this Roman priest, St. Valentine, died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend has it that before St. Valentine was wasted by the Emperor, he left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". A couple hundred years later, Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine. February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages, sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. Somewhere it's gotten outta hand, wouldn't you say? Nowhere doesn't have a flower shop. Most folks here grow 'em or pick 'em roadside. Yet, on February 13 and 14, Nels Nelson parks his truck along Main and sells bushels of red flowers to Nowhereians. Apparently, Arizona flags aren't THAT popular. Heart shaped rocks sell better than our flag. The region was sometimes called Arizona before 1863, although it was still in the Territory of New Mexico. Then along came February 14, 1912 and someone made it the 48th state. Don't think the folks in New Mexico, or Old Mexico for that matter, were too happy. Anyway, today the flags are hanging from many houses, people are buying roses, and the sweet smell of love wafts through the air. Smells like rain, too.

Love is good.

Posted by Don B. Stevenson at 8:01 AM

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

BEST OF ARIZONA

  • Spring skiing Flagstaff weekdays
  • Fav Wildflower spots: Organ Pipe Monument, Hiway 60 before & after Superior, south side of Superstition Mountains.
  • Kayenta (on road to Monument Valley): Wagon Wheel diner Navajo Fry Bread
  • Az has four seasons in a 2 hour drive

WORST OF ARIZONA

  • Lukeville: the Mexico border crossing coming back into Arizona. Up to 4 hour waits.
  • Lukeville: this Chevron mens room makes Window Rock's shine.
  • Window Rock: Chevron bathroom ugly since 1988
  • Phoenix: Traffic anytime

WHACKIEST OF ARIZONA

  • Tombstone: British tourists dress as cowboys...annually
  • Northwest Az: only access is from NV or Utah
  • The Thing: along I-10 west of Benson

There"s No Place Like Nowhere

copyright 2007-2008 Don B. Stevenson. All Rights Reserved. Photos and the blog itself may not be reproduced without written permission from Don B. Stevenson.