Cathedrals, temples, mosques, and various shrines are the traditional starting and ending points for pilgrimages the world over.
At St Francis Cathedral in Santa Fe; the start and end of my journey.
In Europe, pilgrims would carry a staff, a shell emblem, and religious items.
The Camino Real. An old Spanish road and an even older Ancestral Pueblo trade route.
On my New Mexico pilgrimage, I do not have these items. Instead, I carry hiking poles, my Boonie hat serves as my personal pilgrimage emblem, and my camera may not be a religious symbol, but it captures (in part) the sacred I find in Nature.
And make no doubt, I am on a pilgrimage.
I seek no penance, nor do I hope to gain enlightenment. My pilgrimage is simply walking and taking in the beauty that is northern New Mexico.
Above where I crossed the Rio Grande.
That sublime light on red rock, the green valleys, and walking ancient paths of other pilgrim roads from generations ago.
A potsherd on an abandoned road and not near any well-known Pueblo area.
Ancestral Pueblo shrine in Bandelier where the descendants still make pilgrimages.
And I happened upon a pilgrim path from my younger years, too.
New Mexico continues to enchant. And for a week now, I confirmed why that is so.
Even if I have to use a pool toy once in a while to achieve that enchantment. 🙂
My $5 pool toy for the Rio Grande crossing.
Onward!
All the entries:
No wonder NM called the land of enchantment. I have always meant to say how much I enjoy your writing and photography. Finally got my chance!
I forgot about that pool toy trick — very smart!
Clay/Pony
Or smart enough? 😀