Adam Schallau

Hi everyone

This is one of my favorite photos; it is of my brother James (on the left, on the leash), my dog Ouray and me. This was my brother's last day in New Mexico and he had just spent the night in the mountains by himself. He had been very difficult to deal with throughout his trip because he quit smoking the day before flying to NM. I had finally had enough of him and decided to drop him off in the mountains to finish his stay.

The next day I went to check up on him, when I found him he was a different person, he was no longer the rude, arrogant kid brother I had been dealing with, he was a friendly, calm, and polite adult; his night in the mountains by himself had been a spiritual experience. I've never asked what happened, if he enjoyed it, or if he would like to do it again, I'm just happy it was a positive experience for him.

Maybe we all need to spend a little more time in the mountains.