Descriptive Essay About Nature


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Exploration of Nature through the Grand Canyon

Nature is defined as the physical world. The white clouds above, the gentle animals around, and the wide variety of plants are only a few examples of identifiable nature. One of the most admired examples of nature is the Grand Canyon in Arizona. According to History.com (2017), the landscape is more than 270 miles long, 18 miles in width, and a mile deep. The exploration of nature can be seen through the Grand Canyon because it emphasizes nature’s purpose and beauty.

Nature’s main function is to offer its rich resources for man. A canyon is a product and a home of rivers or a vital human water source. The Grand Canyon serves as a passageway for the Colorado River. The river waters provide water and food for man thus reinforcing good health. The Grand Canyon also has many forests which provide as a source of habitats and watersheds. Animals and man can live in the landscape comfortably. Without the canyon and its resources, man would not be able to access these necessary resources. Man would not be able to benefit from nature’s purpose to help him.

Nature is a habitat for man. Generations of men established canyons as their homes. The Grand Canyon is known to be the home of the Hualapai tribe. There are about 2,300 members living there and assisting those who want to learn about their rich culture. The tribe is famous for creating and now taking care of The Grand Canyon Skywalk (Grand Canyon Guru 2011). Their presence is clear evidence that nature must be treasured as a habitat. The habitats truly become homes because traditions, values, and goals are developed through nature.

Nature helps develop men’s fitness and health. Its land formations create physical challenges that motivate men to exert their efforts and achieve health goals. The Grand Canyon provides several trails to hike on. An example is the Cape Royal Trail which is a 30-minute hike. It is 0.6 miles or 1.0 kilometers (National Park Service 2017). It helps improve a man’s muscular needs. There are also rocky walls that man can climb on. While the canyon’s river waters are used for water sports. Through this famous landscape, it can be concluded that nature’s purpose to build man’s fitness is relevant.

Nature is a place of history. Several achievements of man occur as he explores the resources of nature. The ancestral Puebloans shaped granaries with the Grand Canyon’s walls. They can be viewed above the glittering Colorado River (Youngs, Y 2010). John Wesley Powell was the first person to raft the canyon in 1869. The expedition inspired him to establish the U.S Geological Society. Furthermore, the Grand Canyon attracts about 5 million people annually with its South Rim beauties (Arizona Leisure 2014). Thus, it can be noted that nature encourages history to develop and for man to strive for his interests’ success.

Nature’s resources provide the most visible benefit for man. They become the object of beauty and appreciation. Many literature and artworks are created because of the inspiration nature offers. An example is the poem “The Grand Canyon” by Henry Van Dyke. The writer describes the landscape by expressing,

“Be still, my heart! Now Nature holds her breath

To see the solar flood of radiance leap

Across the chasm, and crown the western rim

Of alabaster…” (Van Dyke 1914).

The poem clearly describes the wonders of nature that the canyon has. The canyon’s features show that nature’s beauty is a thrilling experience.

Mark Henson created a painting also named after the canyon landscape. It captures the rock forms at sunset. Shades of purple and pink were used to show the beauty of nature’s skies. Henson made the land formations seem to have a hard texture and an attractive glow. The painting is another example of the appreciative experience nature gives to man.

These samples highlight nature’s beauties and wonders prompt man to think creatively. Man would describe the Grand Canyon as “amazing”, and “breathtaking”, “treasurable” among several other statements. Man would try his best to express the meanings nature can reveal to his spirit. Nature can address the internal need for man to define his own individual purpose. The Grand Canyon’s height, its excellent views of rivers and forests, and its people can inspire man to enhance his creative skills.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk built by the Hualapai tribe is 4,000 feet above the canyon. It is 10-feet in width and shaped like a horseshoe (Grand Canyon Resort Corporation 2016). Men can appreciate nature on this high bridge and see the glory of the canyon landscape. They can reflect on works that would also be inspired by the canyon’s rocks, skies, waters, and forests. The skywalk shows the extra effort man exerts to enjoy nature. It can be believed that man needs nature for his soul.

In conclusion, nature is necessary for man. It provides sources for his health and survival. Nature helps develop man in all aspects. Physically nature offers challenges and resources to build health. Mentally it offers a visual to appreciate and a source to enhance creativity. Emotionally it inspires a man to express himself freely. Spiritually it encourages man’s reflections and insights. Nature is also a foundation of history and culture. Men live in nature and use its resources for their success. They become motivated to mold values and traditions in the home nature provides. Lastly, nature is a soulful need that man appreciates and strives for. It is a soulful experience that man would establish as “irreplaceable”. The Grand Canyon is a perfect example of these purposes and beauties of nature. The landscape exemplifies the true definitions of nature.

Man can realize that nature is a relevant part of his life. It should be valued because nature contributes several benefits to his health and wholeness.

References

  • Arizona Leisure (2014). Grand Canyon History. Retrieved at: http://www.arizona-leisure.com/grand-canyon-history.html
  • History.com (2017). The Grand Canyon. Retrieved at: www.history.com/topics/grand-canyon.
  • Grand Canyon Guru (2011). Grand Canyon Tribes. Retrieved at: http://www.grandcanyonguru.com/grand-canyon-classroom/grand-canyon-tribes
  • Grand Canyon Resort Corporation (2016). Skywalk at Eagle Point. Retrieved at: https://www.grandcanyonwest.com/skywalk–eagle-point.htm
  • National Park Service (2017). North Rim Day Hikes. Retrieved at:  https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/day-hiking.htm#CP_JUMP_1904239
  • Van Dyke (1914). The Grand Canyon. All Poetry. Retrieved at: https://allpoetry.com/The-Grand-Canyon
  • Youngs, Y. (2010). Colorado River. Grand Canyon History. Retrieved at: http://grandcanyonhistory.clas.asu.edu/history_coloradoriver.html
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