December 31, 2017
Photograph Courtesy of Charlie Kelley.
Devils Tower
It’s unlikely that aliens would mistake Troon Mountain in north Scottsdale, Arizona for Devils Tower in Wyoming. None-the-less, Charlie Kelley’s dramatic photograph is reminiscent of the incredible landing scene in Steven Spielberg’s 1977 science fiction film “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” I’m suggesting that he title his photo contribution “Close Encounters of the X Kind.” Here’s why.
When asked where and when the picture was taken, Charlie wrote, “I live near Troon Mountain. I took the picture on December 22, 2017. My wife had just given me a new iPhone X for Christmas and I was trying it out when she alerted me to the sunset. The iPhone X has an awesome camera.” Fortunately for Charlie, his wife and the rest of us, there was no alien spaceship using the stunning cloud cover as camouflage.
Incidentally, did you know that Devils Tower became the nations first National Monument? It was so designated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906, six years before Arizona gained statehood. Perhaps that’s why the tower was the choice of Spielberg’s aliens, despite north Scottsdale’s well-known benefits.
Charlie, thank you for sharing the beautiful photograph below with The Peak’s readers.
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January 2, 2018
Beautiful AZ Sunset. We are so blessed to live in “the zone”.