The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don't go back to sleep.
-Rumi

On our drive from Albuquerque to El Vado Lake, we hit thunderstorms and heavy rain in the mountains of Carson National Forest, once inhabited by the ancient Anasazi people. On arrival at our cozy cabin, light rain continued for a short while, but ended just before sunset. In the fading sun, gently falling raindrops glistened like diamonds. We were restless that first night, canines and humans alike -- attentive to new surroundings, unfamiliar beds, and strange sounds in the night, including an unidentified growl near the back porch. Looking out the window we saw nothing, but chose not to venture out to explore. At 4AM everyone was awake, and as our wild visitor had apparently moved on, we leashed up the dogs for a walk in the peaceful darkness. After our walk, the dogs went back to sleep, but I chose stargazing. There is something about pre-dawn that's magical, mystical. Staying awake at the window was compelling, no matter how tired my body. At that hour, the Creator is palpable.

At dawn I watched a hint of sunlight slowly peek over the hill behind our camp, as the sky celebrated the awakening with streaks of pink and orange. Magpies squawked in tall trees. At this elevation we saw no deciduous trees, and the sweet fragrance of evergreens intensified as the sun warmed the air.

After breakfast, we drove down the steep, winding dirt road that Telly soon learned led to the primitive lakeside camping area where she could run free. The dogs' exuberance was exceeded only by their sheer joy, as they chased tennis balls and sticks, excitedly dropping them at our feet, begging for one more toss in the water. They were tireless.


After our morning swim, we once again enjoyed the views from the cabin of which we never seemed to tire.




In the afternoon we let sleeping dogs lie in the cabin and drove to Heron Lake as storms loomed on the horizon. We found no swimming areas for the dogs superior to our treasured El Vado spot, but we did find vultures perched in a dead tree that seemed to resonate with the incipient bad weather.


When the storm passed, we were treated to this spectacular sky from our back door.


Though internet and phone deprived, we did find a small TV atop the refrigerator, connected to Dish Satellite. With my aging eyes, I could only watch it standing directly in front of the fridge. Viewing from the daybed across the room required binoculars to see images on the miniscule screen. Tuning into news and weather, we learned that Dolly was planning to visit New Mexico. We awaited her arrival and considered the irony of moving from Florida to New Mexico to escape hurricanes. As for me personally, I wondered what secrets the dawn breeze would tell on Sunday.