Watercolor Canyon

We were up at the Canyon rim by sunrise to beat the crowds to the trailhead. The clouds were still hanging in Canyon as the sun began to reveal the watercolor palettes of the walls. The thousand foot drop into the view of the wild turquoise waters at the bottom was breathtaking. I thought of my talented friend Karen who paints so wonderfully, loves these colors, and is quite adept at painting watercolors.

We were getting an early start walking the rim and turning away from the Canyon to walk the Ribbon Lake trail. I thoroughly enjoyed the walk along the sunlit canyon, but the trail did not make my favorite trails list. Even being washed in mosquito repellant did not hinder the little buggers. I managed through all our times in the woods, except for this particular morning, to avoid having to make a 'deposit' in the woods. Unfortunately, the little buggers made a breakfast out of my exposed bum in the process. Not a good time, and the lake at the end of the trail was not easily accessible. It seemed more like a buzzing jungle than a northern forest. But I know from some warnings to tourists and previous trips that the mosquitoes in northern forests are quite annoying and prevalent.

Returning to the rim again and seeing the carved walls washed in sunlight was delightful. I was grateful that we had sprayed ourselves well with repellant, and we gave warning to those headed into the woods to do the same.


~~~

You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you...
Isaiah 55:12