Lainey’s Roadtrip on Day 40: Southwest Dispatch
Driving through Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, David and I exclaimed in wonder at the rock formations. Sarabi and Star were impressed too: towering volcanic hoodoos, red sandstone domes, mushroom caps, spindles, and a massive shipwreck stranded on a vast ocean of pink sand. We found so many shapes and colors in the rock structure: top hats, ziggurats and layered cakes of lemon, cinnamon and saffron.
We’d been driving and hiking overland for days then arrived at Antelope Canyon, Navajo Land, Arizona. We entered through a vulva-like opening into the Earth’s womb. This slot canyon is highly protected and portrays a very different and decidedly feminine approach to Time. Quartz, Iron and Manganese cut by wind and water over six million years has created a masterpiece that is beyond absolute description. David and I were left gobsmacked, wordless, transported.
The Paiute called the area Mukuntuweap or “straight canyon” but we know it as Zion. Spanish explorers later named the river that cut this magnificent canyon the Virgin River after the Virgin Mary, though the indigenous name of this pristine river is lost to us. Beside our campsite, I was lucky to study it for a week; the emerald green waters against the purple-pink rocks and its rushing, powerful sound provided inspiration and peace.
If you can, take a moment to acknowledge the Vernal Equinox: Tuesday March 19 at 9:07PM, a time of perfect equilibrium between darkness and light.
With love,
Lainey
