home

Enchanted Rock

systems-as-a-whole lichens-heaven
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is a place I go to seek new beginnings. So it makes sense that I would spend this New Years Eve there.

It seems a large enough accomplishment for most people to just make it to the top of this 430 foot high, 640 acre, big, pink granite rock, let alone take the time to really look at it.

Once at the top, it seems natural to look up - up to the expanse of an endless blue sky - the closest place in Texas to the gods there is. And then, to look out - out to the rolling, green hills of the Texas Hill Country - yes there are rolling, green hills in Texas.

It does not, however, seem natural to look down - after all, we just came from “down.” But down is truly where the beauty is.

I can’t help but think of systems when I look closely at the lichens-covered granite rock that make up this rare paradise: the whole system, the systems that make up the whole, the systems that make up the systems that make up the whole, and, of course, the system that is made up of the wholes…
I hope you enjoy this glimpse into the system called Enchanted Rock. (Click on an image above to see all of the photos.)

Have a happy and prosperous 2007, and don’t forget to look down once in a while!
d

2 Responses to “Enchanted Rock”

  1. John Cutaia
    December 5th, 2007 20:58
    1

    i guess it depends on
    what you mean by death

    if it is
    say
    the death of ivan ilych
    then death will feel like
    a long tortuous look back at a life
    that was not lived
    and when you die
    death will be over

    but if you mean
    death in the sense of
    what happens when we stop breathing
    then it will be
    just like
    the universe
    before you were born:
    full of life
    and waiting
    for the next window
    of consciousness

  2. Nathan
    May 20th, 2008 05:40
    2

    There is a great opportunity for beauty in the details at Enchanted Rock. Springtime is great at the Rock - the mix of wildflowers and granite is really cool.

    Nate

Leave a Reply