In late July 2005 I drove over to Ruidoso, a small resort nestled in the Sacramento Mountains. On my way I stopped for a welcome geological break at the Valle of Fires Recreation Area, which is situated beside the Carrizozo lava flow. The lava flow erupted from Little Black Peak north of the Recreation area 5000 years ago and flowed south into the Tularosa Basin for 44 miles. It is one of the largest young basalt flows in the western U.S. and displays excellent pahoehoe features; a Hawaiian term for basaltic lava that has a smooth, hummocky, or ropy surface.
I hiked the 1.5 mile trail that meanders through the broken lava photographing not only the textures of the lava but also the plants that had taken hold on this jagged landscape that the Spaniards called Malpais –Badlands because they were so treacherous to cross in their wagons.
The ropy lines of the picture lent themselves to the idea of creating arches and I was reminded of my visits to gothic cathedrals like Chartres, Amiens, and Westminster Abbey with their towering knaves and soaring arches.