This overlook rises 7200 feet above sea level, and is secluded deep in West Texas ranch country. (That's Blue Mountain in the distance.) These rocks are of volcanic origin and warmly vibrant, especially after rain soaks them and softens the high desert with freshly green pinon, juniper and oak.
This volcanic rock point protrudes from the mountain as an isolated peninsula in the sky, with a sheer drop to hundreds of feet below. It offers sweeping views, but I'm too old and wise and creaky of joints to want to stand on the edge. So, we were happily hiking around a little higher up the mountain in a much less precarious place when Jim noticed we were missing Dog 1 (the sensible, older terrier). Our dogs don't run off, hiking, but do have a tendency to sometimes follow their noses off the trail a short distance. I called "Chert!" then gasped. He was standing on the very edge of that farthest-protruding rock as if he was on a high diving board during Olympic trials. Wagging his tail at us, far across The Big Drop. Right ON THE EDGE. We stopped calling him and trusted he had enough dog sense to back off the boulder instead of leaping toward us. He did. Pretty soon, tail wagging the whole time, he boogied up to us via the land route. We didn't scold him for his adventure. I guess he enjoyed the view, too.
- Framed: 14 x 14 x 2 in (35.56 x 35.56 x 5.08 cm)
- Subject Matter: Landscape
- Current Location: Vise
- Collections: Far West Texas Landscapes, Miniatures, Watercolor Landscapes