The beauty of America's Southwest brings peace to the soul

This gnarled and twisted lightning-struck ponderosa pine grows on the Bandera Volcano trail on the Continental Divide in New Mexico. The trees that grow in lava face several problems. Their roots are shallow and fail to support them in strong winds, causing them to twist. Also, the lava contains a lot of iron that attracts lightning to strike the trees.

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New Mexico's Painted Desert is a multicolored badland. The desert is especially beautiful during sunset and sunrise, when violet, blue and gold combine with the already rich collection of hues.

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Sedona's famous Bell Rock is just beyond the village of Oak Creek, Ariz. As you can see, there are no clear paths up the rock. You just zigzag and climb your way to the top. One of the views on your climb is the Chapel of the Holy Cross tucked up against the rocks.

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The Grand Canyon at Grandview Point in Arizona during sunset on the south rim. At an altitude of 7,496 feet, this view invites you to slow down, take a deep breath and sit for a while to enjoy this natural wonder.

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Devil's Bridge is the largest natural sandstone arch in Sedona and overlooks the Verde Valley in Arizona. In an area full of spectacular sights, standing on this bridge, looking around, brings peace to your soul.

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Pink wildflowers color the otherwise brownish slopes of the Bandera Volcano trail.

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This beautifully preserved petrified log is made up of almost solid quartz, and its unexpected bright colors sparkle in the sunlight. The logs were created millions of years ago when fallen trees were washed downstream and covered quickly with sediment and volcanic ash, eventually turning it to stone.

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