![darkstorm viewer map friends darkstorm viewer map friends](https://www.lakeflato.com/sites/default/files/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/fern-canyon_650.jpg)
MAP PROVIDED BY TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE WEBSITE AND MODIFIED BY MEĪs we turned a bend and proceeded onward, we noticed some dark storm clouds brewing in the distance. If we wanted to arrive there before 5:00, we had to keep going unfortunately. The objective of our trip was to make it to a specific formation on the river called Rock Slide. As we finished up an exploratory detour down Fern Canyon, we noticed an amazing slot canyon right in the face of one of Mexico’s cliffs. The day was spent leisurely hopping from Texas to Mexico, taking dips in the water, snacking, laughing… It was a perfect temperature – about 85 degrees.
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We dropped off at the mouth of the Santa Elena Canyon, and began our journey between the massive 1,500’ cliff sides, Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose… After signing a waiver and acknowledging the dangers of canoeing in the canyon, and the possibility of rain and what to do in the event (simply pitching camp 5’ above water level to be safe) we were ready to go. This was all made possible by the fact that during the summer the river is generally lower, and the current is slow enough to paddle upstream. The plan was to canoe up the Rio Grande stream, camp on the bank, and then ride the current back to the drop point the next morning.
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The next morning was followed by an equally smooth series of events.
![darkstorm viewer map friends darkstorm viewer map friends](https://live.staticflickr.com/3477/3962070036_f3da1b059e_n.jpg)
We hiked the Lost Mines Trail, ate deluxe burger meals at the dining hall, and spent the evening drinking beers gazing up at the constellations. Twelve coworkers and friends and myself, including Steven, Pavan, Ben, Clay, Sarah, Josh N, Hayley and Corey, arrived the night prior to our fiasco to spend the evening in the most popular campground at Big Bend during the summertime. Why I am just now recounting our story is due to the fact that it has taken me this long to process everything that happened. One moment we were experiencing a blissful July 4 th afternoon on the Rio Grande, the next we were sitting silently imagining the tragic headlines that might follow our demise: “8 Lake|Flato Employees Die a Catastrophic Death at Big Bend.” Or at least I was. It was unbelievable how quickly the status of our trip had changed. Welcome to California and enjoy.And there we were… huddled behind a gigantic boulder, shivering, wet, and terrified. All of this to bring you these visions of California's Coast. I've painted from boats, climbed on rooftops, crawled over locked gates, edged between barbed wire, suffered the nuisance of ticks, poison oak, biting ants, high winds. I've painted from the side of the busy highway.
![darkstorm viewer map friends darkstorm viewer map friends](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c8f4ade/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4472x7180+0+0/resize/926x1486!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Feb%2F60%2F47186fd44f499219624065ff8b65%2Fjuly-28-1996-oly-bomb-a1.jpg)
I've hiked for miles, far off the beaten paths. I spend weeks at a time on the road, living a gloriously unkempt life just to explore the nooks and coves I've not yet seen. well, I'm still looking for waves, I'm just painting every bend and cove that catches my eye along the way now. What started out as looking for waves has turned into. I know I'll never be able to say I've painted every piece of this coast, but I can say that I've been more intentional about painting the entire coastline than any artist I've ever come across.Īs a third-generation Californian, I moved to the Northern California coast nearly 30 years ago and I've been travelling the length of the state visiting family and friends scattered up and down the coast ever since. For over 15 years I've been working toward painting the entire coastline of this beautiful state.