National Beauty
Story by Severo Avila
Photos by Shannon Pollitz
A covid-delayed trip for
two Rome teachers became a
reality this past spring break
and turned out being more
spectacular than they could have
imagined.
Shannon Pollitz and Tyler
Thomas, both teachers at Coosa
Middle School, just returned from
a whirlwind trip to visit six
national parks and were awed by
what they saw. Shannon is also a
photographer and captured many
stunning images from their trip.
From the intricately and
naturally carved rock formations
of Peek-a-Boo Canyon to the
majesty of Zion’s massive rock
walls, the group were awed by
what they saw at each park.
From the grandeur and
spectacular color of Capitol Reef
to an almost spiritual connection
to Arches National Park, the
Rome group were captivated by
each new thing the saw.
Whether she was gazing at the
ice- and wind-sculpted spines
and rock formations at Bryce
Canyon or being pelted by sand
at Skyline Arch, Shannon, whose
family also went on the trip,
managed to capture breathtaking
images of the landscape around
her and wanted to share those
with Rome Life readers.
She has now visited 27 of our
63 national parks and said three
of the parks (Arches, Capitol
Reef and Zion) made into the top
five national parks she’s ever
visited.
Badwater Basin is a drainage basin in Death Valley National Park, noted as the lowest point in North America
and the United States, with a depth of 282 ft below sea level.
Capitol Reef National Park
Facing page: An awe-inspring view of
Double Arches, Arches National Park