Having climbed steeply up the bank of a large gorge, we finally arrived at our point of crossing. From above, the water is calm, gentle, and cool. Hovering 6 inches above the surface of the water is a deep mist that burns off as it emerges from under the canopy of leaves and enters the direct sunlight.
Soon, the calmness is broken by sharp bends, long drops, and narrow passages. The water drops maybe 50 feet in as many yards, and on its vertical decent it strikes an upturned rock dead-on, splattering out in all directions, forming a broad flower pattern as the gorge widens momentarily to the light of day.
The banks are still steep and black, worn smooth in parts with the passage of time. As the channel continues down stream, the canopy again closes in around it, hiding the gorge from all but those who venture close to its edge.
Copyright (C), 1998, by Ashley Guberman
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