TexasGirl Photography

Last summer we camped in the Rio Grande Gorge south of Taos (here, if you’re interested). We stayed there, at a different campground, a few years ago, and had been keen to go back there in spite of the moderately epic tent collapse storm we weathered during our first trip. This time, we were ready for whatever got thrown at us. . . . . maybe not the boulders we heard bouncing down the cliff face during the night, but we were at least aware this was a possibility!

The first time we camped in the Gorge (2018), it was on the opposite side of the bridge you can see in the above photo. We could hear the river gently singing below us, at a point where it begins to open up wide and strong. In 2021, however, we were at a point where the water strives to come back together after being split up by the rugged topography of the land. There are lots of smaller bits of the river rushing over boulders, hollering to its fellow limbs that are similarly hurrying to join them just around the bend.

It was absolutely fantastic! I loved the sound of the water and how it would change depending on the weather and the time of day. After a rain, its voice raised in volume to amazing levels. I hiked around and climbed down in a variety of places to photograph.

One of the places I photographed was down low, almost like a little river grotto surrounded by trees. I met a very nice couple from somewhere in the Midwest that I’m embarrassed to admit I can’t recall. It was somewhere cold, I remember that much, and they were impressive in the hiking and traveling adventures they related to me while I tried to look like I was a Photographer who Knew what She Was Doing, and also not slip in the mud.

Another place I climbed down to was even better, since I was able to scramble out onto huge boulders right in the middle of the water. The sound of the river was wonderful, the coolness of it radiating up to me, the wild energy and power of it all. I could have stayed there all day; I think I exposed two rolls of film, at least. Below are some of my favorites, mostly from the same roll of Tri-X.

It might be a little redundant, but I couldn’t pick favorites! Spot cleaning them on my computer took me right back to that day, out on the rocks in the river, becoming one with the wind and the spray, oblivious of everything except that moment. If you catch even a tiny glimmer of that feeling, I am grateful!

All photographs Hasselblad 500 CM and Kodak Tri-X