Passage thru the Trees

Quiet solitude. Time to think. What will be the next move? Change, a good think, maybe. Doesn't mean I have to like it, Martha thought. Well, this is the perfect place to think according to my spiritual advisor. People from all over the world come here, this spot, to feel the pull. And this place is practically in my backyard, so to speak.

There are several of these spots, where the trees growing nearby give away the sign of the vortex. The tree bark grows in a spiral, even on the branches. But this spot, others say, is a strong portal to another dimension. Right. I am not planning a trip, just yet. Martha smiled.

There were a few people around the spot. Some waiting for their turn between the trees. Others, oblivious to what that spot is famous for, climbing on the rocks. Their children jumping and yelling. Lovely. Tourists. And it is only Thursday. Not usual this crowd for a weekday. A sign that the summer season is nearly upon us.

Martha, finished with her spiritual routine, walked to the semi flat boulder semi hidden by a flowering bush. I do feel more at ease she thought. Cleared head for decision making. I have all the answers a counselor once told me. I have to be ready to understand the clues. That's the work in progress.

She looked at the green prickly tiny red flowered bush shielding her from the world. She smiled. He would know what this bush is called, scientific name as well as regular name. Another smile. She placed the cushion on the boulder. She remembered it this time. Stone is rather hard on the bottom.

She took her journal out of her backpack, grabbing her pen and opening to the page she was working on yesterday. Only 3 days left before she will submit the thousand-word story. The critiquing is well worth it.

She looked toward the canyon, a nice sloping wall on the vortex side but really steep on the opposite canyon side. Easy climb to the vortex from this side of the canyon. They used to hike it, at least twice a week. No more doing that, at least for now.

A spark of insight, Martha started to write, keeping the story close to the prompt. Visitors were arriving to the spot, then leaving. Martha wrote on. That spark completed a full page. She felt a little drained, always happens. Looking up from her work, there was a stillness. This brought her back to the present. Calm, still, not even a crow or raven gliding over the canyon using the air currents to rest their wing muscles. That's odd. She looked around. She was alone, except for the trees, cactus, rocks, crawling things and the warm rays of the sun. Enjoy the moment.

The sun's rays were warming her face when a cold shiver wave flooded over her entire body. No breeze. Maybe low blood sugar she thought. Putting her pen in the notebook and placing it on the hard packed earth, she flipped the backpack flap over and proceeded to dig through to find an energy bar she knows she tossed in days ago. Found it!

A slight breeze brushed her face. That felt nice. Wooshing away any negativity. She used her left eye tooth to start the process of opening the package. She took a bite, folded the wrapper. A flash of movement caught her attention.

A couple, male and female, young, 30's, stood at the apex of the vortex. Summer tee shirs, shorts and sandals. Martha, chewing the coconut bar and wondering why she did not hear them walking on the trail. Chewing, she watched the couple, standing arm and arm in the vortex, eyes closed, heads tilted slightly up. Martha chewed on, attempting not to breath much and give away her hiding place.

Martha finished her energy bar. The couple were still in the same position. This just might go into my story she thought. She began to mentally create sentences that would explain, showing not telling. The couple's eyes opened, still looking toward the white puffy clouds. They stepped out of the vortex hold with their left foot first. They seemed unsteady on their feet. Martha smiled. After intense meditation, that happens to her as well.

The couple continued to get their land legs, adjusted, then started their journey on the trail, toward the parking lot. What was that about? I didn't hear them climbing up the canyon wall. No talking either. People always break the serene background with talking. Course, some don't talk while climbing. I don't know why I didn't hear them. Martha continued to write her story, checked the time. Another 5 or so minutes then leave. Happy hour at the Mex place. I could use a margarita she smiled.

Martha packed up her stuff, shoved them and the wrapper in her backpack. Carry in, carry out. Now there was some talking, coming from the trail, headed to the vortex. She passed them on the trail. They exchanged pleasantries.

"Excuse me, do you know where the vortex is," one hiker asked?

"Oh yes," Martha replied as she turned at the waist and pointed at the two trees.

"In the middle of those two trees. You can tell. The tree bark grows in a spiral up the tree. Even on the branches."

Really? I heard about that. Well, thanks. Happy hiking," the other hider replied as that group headed toward the vortex. Martha continued walking on the trail, toward the parking lot checking her phone. 1610 hrs. Need to get going. Happy hour ends at 1700. A text beeped. Ah, as Martha read. The group saved me a seat at the bar. Return text, leaving parking lot now.

"Hey you guys," Martha said as she neared the bar.

"About time. What took you so long? Doing your spiritual thing at the vortex?"

"Yup. Tourists, which equates to heavier traffic," Martha replied. There was a giggle from the group.

"Did you order yet?"

"Waiting for you. Don't want to give the impression we are a bunch of drinkers." Now there was laughter. The group ordered the usual beverages, happy hour margaritas, half with a salt rim and half with a tajin rim. Chips and salsa and conversation though people may call it gossiping.

"Anything new at the vortex?"

"Hmm, something interesting." The group perked up and turned toward Martha.

"What?"

"Well, I was sitting on the boulder behind that flowering bush, no one around, dead quiet, then a couple appeared at the vortex."

"So?"

"I didn't hear them, no footsteps, no chatting, nothing."

"Probably climbed up from canyon floor at that spot. I used to climb that back when."

"But I didn't hear anything."

"What were you doing?"

"Finishing that story for submission." The group smiled and continued sipping on their drinks.

"Well, there you have it. You were writing. You get lost and block out the world around you when you are in writing mode."

"Yes, but I do hear hikers crunch walking on the rocky trail."

"You simply didn't hear them." Martha took a sip of her adult beverage.

"Maybe." Another sip. "I'll go back tomorrow and pay more attention."

"Of course you will." The group shared stares and smiles.

"Let's order. I'm hungry."