On the western fringes of Tule Mountain, above where Alamo Creek winds its way down to the Rio Grande, runs a rim rock of red stone delineating the softer soil above from the exposed whitish ground underneath.

Now I am no geologist by any means, nor do I lay claim about knowing much on the subject. But I do know that while prowling along this rimrock, one is exposed to a veritable treasure of uncommon sights. Some crowd the edge to being otherworldly, as seen in the attached photograph.

Like many other spots in the lower Big Bend, the more you learn it seems the less you really know. This holds especially true for me personally, for I can remember chasing wild burros through this area on an appaloosa cow pony named ‘Pepe’ when I was eleven years old.

That was a long time ago, yet I have returned time and again since. Most times I savor a childhood memory, most times I make another discovery or two, but each time I have to stand slack-jawed at the extraordinary splendor found in this desert.

The mightiest, most awe inspiring beauty of any art form rests here, created by God’s Own Hand. Pick any point on the compass and begin to wander, and soon enough you will find what I am speaking of.

More so there is not only natural beauty but also the lingering sense of man’s presence amid the boulders, shelters, overhangs and watering holes. A thousand years ago this was still a rough, arid land; yet it was wetter and with more water available than what we can imagine in our wettest monsoon season.

The ancients lived here for generations in camps scattered about, the remnants of their way of life found in abundance for those who are able to see. Bits and pieces of trails acting as conduits to these camps are still in evidence, and an odd feeling comes over you when you realize your boots are on their timeworn paths.

This land is a big place, sweeping out in every direction for as far as the eye can perceive. You think upon all that has occurred here in the history of man alone, and of how many have come before as well as those who will do so in the future.

I said before it has been a many a year since I was eleven years old. Yet in reality those decades are but a single grain of sand on the endless beach of time. If one wants to teach another the meaning of humility, take them to this desert.

For if they cannot grasp at least a glimmer of what it truly means while in this place, they will likely remain unteachable for the rest of their days.

God bless to all,

Ben

Facebook: Ben H. English
Webpage: benhenglish.com
‘X’: Ben H. English