Recently I took a little walk through a nearby slot canyon. I’ve been meaning to explore this magical place a while now.
Just 35 miles south of the hacienda, the short couple of miles hike takes one through typical Chihuahuan desert landscape.
Coming in the way I did, which was walking the trail loop anti clockwise, or starting to the right at the trailhead, it is a slight scramble to get down into the entrance to the canyon which has been sculpted out of the sedimentary sandstone, over years, by storm water.
Inside the canyon it is extremely narrow in places, and significantly cooler that the outside temperature.
The colours, textures and play of light inside this naturally sculpted earth tunnel are exquisite.
Mesmerizing.
Transfixing.
Transforming.
It’s not the Grand Canyon by any means, but it is my very own, local, easily accessed, crack in everything which lets the light in**.
An everyday wonder of the world.
And while we dwell on sinuous things, I chose to save this slot canyon experience for winter when rattlesnakes are at their most sleepy.
Warm season visitors are put on notice: word on the ground has it that both entrances are guarded at times by snakes.
Rattlesnakes.
It is their territory, after all.
**soundtrack, with thanks: Anthem - by Leonard Cohen
The birds they sang
At the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don't dwell on what
Has passed away
Or what is yet to be.
Ah the wars they will
Be fought again
The holy dove
She will be caught again
Bought and sold
And bought again
The dove is never free.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
We asked for signs
The signs were sent:
The birth betrayed
The marriage spent
Yeah the widowhood
Of every government
Signs for all to see.
I can run no more
With that lawless crowd
While the killers in high places
Say their prayers out loud.
But they've summoned, they've summoned up
A thundercloud
They're gonna hear from me.
Ring ring ring ring ring
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in
You can add up the parts
But you won't have the sum
You can strike up the march,
There is no drum
Every heart, every heart
To love will come
But like a refugee.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.
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