Caryl Goode

Several summers ago we followed a hiking trail across from Purgatory Ski Resort a few miles down to Purgatory Flats; a beautiful meadow along Cascade Creek. From there we continued until the Animas River appeared and the dancing movement of the waves drew me into the intricacies of that moment in time and space. Further down the river, there is a bridge from the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

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This spectacular view can be found by taking a mountain bike/walking trail on the hillside above the Animas River. In the drawing, the ridge on the left is Smelter Mountain, followed by the rippled Hogsback with Perrins Peak just behind it. I am continually amazed by the diversity of these ecosystems which includes high desert ridges, ponderosa and spruce covered terrain, as well as the La Platas above the tree line.

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When riding the road bike, I always welcome the sight of Baker’s Bridge; a popular milestone to reach, or go beyond. The striking color of water surrounded by warm cliffs will enchant almost any viewer. The location gained notoriety after the 1969 film “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” was released where Butch and Sundance who had robbed a train jumped from the cliff down into the river to escape their pursuers.

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Having run along foot paths beside the Animas south of town for years, one of my favorite occurrences is the blossoming of the Sweet Peas each year. They dwell at the base of a steep, vertical hill and I always wonder what persistence of nature keeps them flourishing.

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Further along the footpath is a section of river bank which dramatically changes throughout the seasons. One year, after heavy spring rains, the sunflowers were in abundance. The flowers grow along a channel that flows from the Animas around an island. The channel’s drama isn’t confined to the spring and summer, this past winter the beavers built an impressive dam which was washed away with the heavy spring runoff.

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This view of the island is located right next to a previous image called Animas Channel with Flowers and likewise this particular spot changes each year. Across the river, bushes on the island have grown to partially obscure a unique weeping birch, not commonly found in Colorado.

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As my style evolved from a Fairy Tale influence to incorporate more realistic renderings of trees and rocks, I revisited the subject of Baker’s Bridge and tried to be true to the nature of each tree. As always, Baker’s Bridge is a special place to become grounded.

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I created a triptych of Baker’s Bridge which included Summer, Fall and Winter. I found the rich autumnal colors and brooding sky especially intriguing. After completing the triptych, I was extremely saddened to find that the solo Ponderosa Pine on the near rock ledge had been mysteriously knocked down.

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The Winter version was, by far, the most challenging with the abundance of snow and absence of color. My process requires drawing the work in pencil; outlining everything in pen and ink and then adding color. To my surprise, as I zoomed into my reference photo, I discovered an eagle sitting in the tree in the upper left corner. I marveled at the abundance of life hiding in plain sight.

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In this midsummer piece, the rocks are beginning to rise out of the water, but the power of the river has not diminished. It is the quietest work in the series and I am drawn to the subtleties and movements of the water.

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This image showcases the Rivergate Bridge and highlights the particularly stark beauty which appears late in the summer as the river gets low and exposes the rocky underbed. A compelling vision each year is the first emergence of these wet silent sentinels into the warmth of the sun after their submersion during the spring.

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Whether bike riding south on La Posta road, or running on the Animas River Trail, this vista consistently gladdens my heart. Not only are the cliffs astounding due to their unusual color, the chain of small islands offer mystery to this stretch of river. The area is also a part of the Dominguez Escalante Trail which became an early marker for the Old Spanish Trail, running from Santa Fe to the Pacific Coast.

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