Returning to the Rainbow Plateau
-
into the Forbidden Canyon
Standing by the Round Rock Trail head, I
wheel to gaze out and down to the somber and compelling landscape. The Forbidden Canyon appears lonely, wide and
grand. Nothing moves below, but a raven
sails by, black as coal, uttering a hoarse croak. A southern author, Irvin Cobb once wrote:
“I’m reasonably sure that one of our species will ever get down into
Forbidden Canyon or, having got down there, ever get out again. So you see it is appropriately named…..Birds
fly above it but it is reasonably certain that no living creature, anyway no
two-footed or four-footed creature exists in it”
The unfathomable terrain, billows of bare red stone,
carved and scoured by wind and sand, reaching mile after rocky mile into the
intricate network of white, red and yellow canyons, creates this seemingly impenetrable
labyrinthine maze. Beyond the horizon, nonetheless is this wonderful mystic
haze of distance. Four years ago, I was
here. Six of us were not prepared for
the hardship. Unexpected and prolonged
rain worsened our situation. Suffering
from physical exertion, we eventually turned back.
For four years, I dreamed
about coming back. 
For four years, I dreamed
Today, the landscape before me is as rugged,
desolated and bare as I remember. The
peace and silence, openness and freedom are also as overwhelming as I felt four
years ago. I once again have this peculiar
kind of excitement…… When
time to go, I swing my pack onto my back and walk down to this unforgiving ancient
enigmatic land. Returning to the Rainbow Plateau not only is my dream, it is my
destiny.
September, 2013
Chi
Chan
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