God in The Garden

Colorado Springs, Colorado, October, 2013.

An unscheduled afternoon of free time in Colorado Springs had opened for me.

Not quite enough time for a long expedition into the country side, I opted for the short jaunt to Garden of the Gods, a dramatic geological formation on the edge of town. Formed by one of the uplifting events in the history of the Rocky mountains, this unique park is a odd mix of wildness and extensive curation. The rocks have long been an attraction for climbing enthusiasts; many of the largest faces are riddled with holes form where anchors had been placed.  The footpaths have been paved with neat concrete sidewalks.

There was a group of climbers there that day, one guide and several neophytes, probably college freshmen from nearby Colorado College. A couple of them were about three-quarters of the way up a smaller spire—struggling—but receiving encouragement from the guide below. The others were waiting their turn, standing or sitting in small groups of two or three around the base of the free-standing rock. The tableaux appeared as if it from a slow motion film.

The sound of a sharp ‘snap!’ shattered the static scene.

“Augh!” “Look out!” “Heads up!” and a sickening thud were heard simultaneously.

One of the climbers had dislodged a small boulder from the rock face and it obeyed gravity’s law, plummeting to the ground below, narrowly missing two coeds who learned more about rock climbing in that instant that they had previously known in their combined lifetimes.

“Oh god!” one of them exclaimed.

God was merciful that day.