When I shared this photo of the Gilman Tunnels last week, I wrote almost nothing about the canyon in which they were built, even though it’s one of my very favorite parts of the Jemez. I’ve always known and referred to this area as the Guadalupe Gorge, but many other folks call it the Guadalupe Box.
The tunnels were blasted out of the surrounding rock about 100 years ago and ended up being used by the logging industry for fewer than two decades.1 Now they’re a popular local attraction within the Jemez National Recreation Area.
Fall is surely the most beautiful season along the Rio Guadalupe. Virginia creeper, the red vine in many of these photos, plays a significant part in the canyon’s colorful vibrance.
It’s certainly not the only source of bright color though. Wildflowers continue blooming well into October as the surrounding leaves and grasses gradually change from green to yellow.
Virginia creeper crawls up and over nearly everything; neither rocks nor other vegetation impede its progress.
Combined with the granite walls of the canyon, the result is gorgeous (so to speak).
While Virginia creeper makes an appearance every year, some years are more colorful than others. I’m happy to report that 2023 was one of those extra-colorful years.
Beauty abounds in Everyday Magic, captured by the mistress-photographer once again. The Globe Mallow is one of my favorite wildflowers and to see it still blooming as late as October is so fortunate. Thanks for these moments of sublime meditation.