Our final stop in Taos was the Gorge Bridge. Several people during my pre trip research had mentioned the George Bridge as a must see. Online photos show a bridge, nothing more. However, deciding locals would be likely to know what's what and it being so highly recommended, we decided to place it on our list.
It is not the bridge, it is what it spans. Far, far below the Rio Grande flows. It is rather shallow this late in the season but bare rock on either bank give an indication of what is is like at it's highest level. Sunlight plays on the steep, rugged stone walls. We were once again amazed and humbled at the thought of the millennia it has taken for the river to wear away the earth and create this spectacular sight.
There are places on the bridge where it juts out to afford the visitor a better look at the breathtaking manifestation of the power of water, time and nature. In a move simultaneously heartbreaking, humanizing and macabre, there are terminals at each overlook giving those considering ending their lives by jumping over the side of the bridge a last opportunity to contact the help they may need to change their decision. If a button is pushed they are able to speak to someone about what has brought them to that moment.
In these tumultuous, politically and socially divided and benighted times it gives me hope that we have not yet completely divorced ourselves from compassion, kindness and caring for others.
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