my pack tucked under my arm, head-
ing off once again to the cave. I found
a dry shelf for my pack. I pushed into
the corner, standing in muddled awe. I
had a restless thought that my adven-
ture may have been a naïve, not un-
comical, fraud.
Suddenly the water came as though
from a spout on to my head. Its sud-
denness in the almost wholly darkened
place was like a rock to the back of the
head. Startled and disoriented, I leapt
up in panic. I moved to escape but was
stopped by the pounding and flashing
of the storm. I stood, arms wrapped
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around my shoulders, brooding. I was
not asleep, but time passed before I
became aware that the storm was over.
My pack was still dry. I slipped out
of the cave into the still night air. A
large crescent moon released itself from
the receding clouds. I walked a short
distance, spread out the plastic sheet,
took off my clothes, pulled on my dry
shirt, wrapped myself in the thin blan-
ket, and lay down, wishing only for
unconsciousness. Shivering, I would
awake, fix the moon’s position, and
look east for any sign of the rising sun.
Sounds enlivened the night: the arroyo
frothing like a mighty river and howls
of coyotes venturing near. Earlier I
thought I would be calling out to them,
“Brothers.” In the sodden night, I felt
little more than aggravation. “Get the
hell out of here, you mangy beasts!”
The sun did not hurry. Finally it not
only created the new day but cleansed
all the adversities of the day and night
before. I delayed arising, as I knew that
once fully awake, I would have to face
the decision—to regroup for the sec-
ond day or decamp. I wished to be
spared the spiritual and emotional
struggle of that decision.
Mexican
and
American
Food
Open 6 am to 9 pm Everyday
Famous Beef & Chicken Fajitas • Ice Cream
Free Wi Fi • Clean, Fast Service
Rene & Maria Franco, Owners
Then I knew what to do. I quit the
scene.
The return to the house was
uneventful. I trudged along wearily,
clothes still wet, boots heavy with mud
and moving slowly. Images of home
would come and go. They relieved the
drudgery some.
When I did get home, I showered
and drank my fill of water—a transfor-
mation of a different kind. I surren-
dered to the ministrations of my wife,
my lover, my friend, my home.
A magical
oasis in the
Chihuahuan
Desert
of Texas
513 O’Reilly Street • Downtown Presidio
432.229.4409
Cenizo
Off the
Pinto Canyon Rd
near Ruidosa
Third Quarter 2015
rustic lodging
camping
reservations
required
432.229.4165
chinatihotsprings.net
Dan and Dianna Burbach,
Managers
23