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Stairway in the green
Published: 2012-08-02 17:48:37 +0000 UTC; Views: 12774; Favourites: 1206; Downloads: 510
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Description
This past weekend I went to a family reunion in Illinois...and directly across the street from where I was staying was Starved Rock State Park. I spent hours upon hours hiking there; and it was an absolutely fantastic place. I went late in the afternoon on Friday, when only a few people were there...early in the morning (8:00) on Saturday where we hiked three miles and saw very very few people...and even earlier sunday morning, where we didn't see a soul.Those were the times that I live for- when I can hike through the green lush forests, climb around canyons, explore vast crevices, throw my arms wide and absorb the overwhelming height and scenery after climbing hundreds of stairs.
I accepted long ago that life can be ugly and cruel, but every now and then I'm reminded that it has the potential to be beautiful.
PS SINCE I'VE BEEN ASKED A LOT...I WAS WEARING Pants.
I simply chose a longer shirt to make it seem more natural, and so that the subject seemed a little more isolated/lost.
Also blue jean shorts wouldn't have really worked with the whole color scheme so the shirt REALLY needed to be a little long.
I repeat...pants were used in the making of this photo.
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Comments: 85
This is one of my favourite photos I've ever seen on deviant art. Props to you, and congrats
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Beautiful shot! Ever been to Starved Rock in the winter? The waterfalls freeze and look wicked awesome!
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I'm pleased to hear that pants were worn, I was really worrying about that when I saw this picture
Great photograph and mood, I'm sure it will mean many things to many people, love it!
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The staircase to Heaven?? Wow!!! it's just great...!
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I love this. It reminds me of the movie Bridge to Teribithia somehow. A movie I really love. ^.^
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I thought this was just so beautiful so i posted it to my facebook for my friends to see. here is a random conversation that ensued in the comments that I'm sure you'll appreciate and find amusing.
FRIEND: where are her pants? are pants her reward for completing the quest, namely to get to the top of the stairs? why pants in the woods? these are the questions that we must ask ourselves.
ME: the pants are a concept. the reward will be given when the metaphorical ascension of self has been achieved. The pants in woods symbolizes the tranquil state in which to raise oneself to new levels... that was all BS but you know... it could explain it.
FRIEND: the staircase is physical manifestation of the metaphorical, the light signifies something good but unknowable to all but those who strive to achieve the greatness and receive the reward of the pants. in a way, we are all wandering pantless through the woods, seeking the staircase of light.
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Haha! Ah, I wish I had friends like that!
As it turns out...I was wearing pants.
I simply chose a longer shirt to make it seem more natural, and so that the subject seemed a little more isolated/lost...but I liked you and your friend's reason better
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teehee. well, we did wonder
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This is awesome! I love it...
Randomly starts humming Zepplin
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beautiful - I thought this looked like Starved Rock!
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This is a gorgeous shot. But why are there no pants?
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Actually, there are pants. Hah, I just chose a longer shirt so that the subject (ie me) seemed more natural, and so that the subject seemed a little more isolated/lost in preparation for what lay ahead. Thank you so much though! It means a lot!
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It doesn't look like you're wearing pants at all, though. xD Interesting way to look at it, all the same.
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Well I suppose that technically speaking I wasn't wearing PANTS...I was wearing blue jean shorts. Hah, thanks though.
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OH. Okay, now I understand. xD I was sitting here thinking "There is no way those are pants. What?" Haha I'm sorry!
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No problem! Completely reasonable question, and I probably would have been wondering the same thing!
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Oh my goodness! Thank you all so much for the insanely amazing response! It means so much to me, and you are all fantastic. Thank you!
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Wow just love this...it really is fantastic, reminds me of a meditation journey.
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Wow! I'm sorta speechless. I'd love to see that with my own eyes, it's a beauty beyond words! Thanks for sharing this with us, and it's such a great photo. -Lyrics
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Wow, thank you so much! Beauty can be found when you least expect it...so keep your eyes open and pay attention 
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how badily did you want to title this stairway to heaven?
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Pretty badly...it took every ounce of my strength to resist. In the end it was just too cliche.
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GORGEOUS.
I live in Illinois! I'm not too far from Starved Rock either!
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Living in Illinois myself, we have many state parks/hiking areas, but Starved Rock is definitely among the best of them. And hiking in the morning... nothing like it.
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Hiking in the morning is one of my passions, but sadly where I live there are not many (any) state parks close by. It was really fantastic there, and being able to crawl around and take pictures without a crowd was a huge bonus! You're right...there really is nothing else like it!
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Stair way to heaven... but has been said..... I Like it very much....
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I love this photo as it looks so surreal. It looks like she is ascending to a higher plane of existence. The composition is great. I agree that life can be ugly and cruel. Buddhists have a saying that that is what life guaranties so that when something beautiful comes into your life you will cherish it so much more. I know I did a bad translation but you get the picture. Great job.
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Wow, thank you for all of the beautiful words! I've always been infatuated with the idea of surreality and finding places that verge on fantastical, so it really means a lot! Your translation is fine, and the meaning so true. Thanks again!
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Absolutely georgous
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