Paddle Towards the Light!
For me, it is all about water. But the deep ocean and fast river attributes that attract me -- roiling breakers, pounding spray, surfing waves, riptides, and pulsating eddy lines -- are found in many different formats and elements that surround us. I was reminded of the similarities between many of the natural elements on a very recent trip to the Southwest desert to visit and photograph slot canyons.
Breaking Wave!
As soon as you step into a canyon, the parallels between rock and water are there in front of you. Maybe it has more to do with my paddling background, or the fact that I recently spent time along the Portuguese coast (surfing meccas like Nazaré and Sagres) and the thought of huge waves were foremost on my mind? It could also be a throwback to when I began spelunking in the limestone caves in West Virginia. Contemplating, in the light of a (then) carbon headlamp, the sand and seashells imbedded in the cave roof above you. Humbling is maybe not strong enough of a word.
Breaking Wave 2!
Regardless of history or reason, I find it impossible to traverse these tight, textured ravines and not immediately imagine bracing, paddling, and rolling in that exploding vortex of surrounding rock.
Path Through the Vortex!
Wind and rock turn water into waves, wind and water turn rock into canyons. Assisted by a subdued and intermittent light, it is not difficult to envision the flowing lines of the ocean etched into canyon walls, breaking waves where the rock seems to collapse on top of itself or feeling that you are caught tumbling in the spilling, plunging, surging, and collapsing waves of rock above and all around you. For anyone who has been caught in water's pull, ocean or river, looking up in the canyons to see the flood lines and the trees and brush caught high above reminds you why you don’t want to be there at high water.
Over the Falls!
Southwest sandstone, sedimentary rock, forms where there is a lot of sand accumulation, such as in deserts, riverbeds (fluvial sandstone), or along ocean coastlines (marine sandstone). “Flowing sandstone” is often the description used for many of these narrow rock slot canyon passageways carved by wind and water into the surrounding red and orange Navajo Sandstone, where floodwaters smooth and sculpt the walls into inundating and fluid shapes that, with the right light, seem to move, surge and pour along the narrow channel.
In the Barrel!
Color, light and shadow are also key to the magic of these canyons, and in how we view, and photograph, all of these natural wonders. Usually, we envision the ocean and rivers as a deep to light blue, but depending on depth, direction, and motion it can also be green, azure, turquoise or white on waves and foam. Likewise, the reds, purples, blues, browns, and pinks of sandstone in the canyons can be multi-hued depending on age, erosion, the climate at the time they were created, and the variation of metals in rock compositions. Then, even as you compose your photo, and in the midst of darkness or the quiet, softer light of twilight greys, a single beam of light may filter in to interact with the rock and to create an even more radiant display of color. Humbling, and awe-inspiring!
Rough Seas!
These parallels between water and rock are ancient as well, and each emits its own reflected light, all (in their depths) are beyond the reach of sunlight, and each begs for exploration! The Navajo name for Upper Antelope Canyon, one of the canyons that we visited, is “Tse’ bighanilini,” which means “the place where water runs through rocks (photos in this post are from Lower Antelope Canyon – “Hazdistazí” or spiral rock arches). Standing in the depths of a slot canyon, or beside the ocean, or along a river, enveloped by light, shadow, rock and water, it is easy to understand and share the Navajo reverence for sacred places with strong spiritual connections. Nature is linked, and wonderful, in all its forms!
Wave Upon Wave!
Similitude between rock and water is everywhere (especially when assisted by imagination, mindset, and the wonderful, natural views before you). So easy to channel the feeling of waves and flow in these slot canyons, and in your mind, to transpose all of the heat, dryness, and dust of the desert into the sight, smell, touch and even taste of sweeping and flowing water. Water and rock, both provide a sense of permanence and beauty, of connection, and in special places... a feeling of transendence as old and deep as the canyons, rivers, and ocean that surround us!
In the Trough!
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