Inside the hubbub of daily life — not to mention the news cycle — it is pretty easy to forget that we all live in a great area.

Our region boasts some of the most impressive landscapes in the nation. Have you stopped to take a look across the valley lately to view Mt. Emily? Or Mt. Harris? How about the flat, wheat stunted plains around Pendleton? Or the majestic vistas of the Elkhorns?

I know at least for me there is a time every year — usually about now — when I suddenly realize how beautiful our area is. Oh, the thought of our local wonders is always in the back of my mind throughout the year but it is during the weeks of mid-August, when things seem to slow down — if only for a little while — when the natural beauty of our area hits home.

Not only do we have some awesome vistas to view but we also can be proud of the fact that, overall, we are also a generous people. We spend time giving to charity or volunteering or sponsoring events that enrich the entire community.

Once the news cycle kicks back up, once the days of summer recede, events, families, friends, intrude on our daily life and we get back to the grindstone, so to speak. We jump back into life, and get on with taking care of our priorities. The beautiful vistas sort of fall into the background of our existence.

That’s why I like to at least — every once in a while — sort of slow the train down and remind everyone that while we have a lot of challenges, we still happen to be very fortunate in that we live in an area that delivers such beautiful views among a group of people who care about their community and their neighbors.

We are, indeed, very fortunate.