Afterglow

 

Standin' on the corner in Winslow, Arizona, on the way to New Mexico

 

We had a near-wilderness setting for two outdoor presentations in New Mexico.  I felt almost as if we were sitting beside a glacier-carved lake high in the Wind River Mountains presenting a wilderness experience while being in one.  Wild turkeys and mule deer often visit this place, and the night sky was almost as full of stars as it was at Diamond Lake in the presentation.  

 

Mule deer visit here with their long ears and friendly eyes 

Two of us hiked into Holy Ghost Creek where, due to high elevation, aspen trees were already displaying their yellow autumn beauty.  

 

Aspen Leaves in Fall  

Aspen Leaves in Fall  
They applaud
with trembling hands
perhaps with a bit of fear
their lives nearly done
 

beauty is not theirs alone
but comes with sunlight
maker with made
 
I wait as clouds move
to cast a sunbeam
on waiting trees
 
they awaken
with unearned brilliance
among unlit peers   
 
not achieving
enlightenment
on their own   

Michael Angerman has prepared a map for this afterglow trip at Google Map Link Pecos Trip Autumn 2020   

 His map for the Wind River Mountains  trip is at  Michael's Map