Once our lunches and camera bags had been searched (it turned out that my turkey sandwich was not a security risk), we boarded the bus that would carry us to the base of the Glen Canyon dam. In darkness, we rode through the two mile long access tunnel that had been bored through rock and reinforced with concrete. Every so often, a ventilation hole would spill in light from the river side illuminating streaming water that dripped a little too freely (in my opinion) through the tunnel’s porous rock. Those glimpses of shimmering moisture sparked a sincere gratitude in me that text messaging and MP3 players were not yet around to distract the engineers and excavators who completed the excavation back in the late 1950s.
Because somehow… two miles in darkness extends just a little longer than two miles in daylight.
More on Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Updated from July 10, 2010.
Two miles in darkness extends a hundred mile of fear or uneasiness.
Seeing water seeping merrily through the sides of a two mile tunnel would definitelty cause a bit of anxiety.
Rainfield: That explains the distance differential perfectly!
NothingProfound: The driver was pretty nonchalant about pointing it out, but two miles gives you enough time to over-think it a bit!
Well thankfully you never kept us in the dark about this, and we can enjoy your travels with you. ha ha
Kinda sad when everything has to be checked before venturing into a tunnel, or on a high bridge or dam or anything high. It does look magnificent though, hope the sandwich was just as delish.
Donald: I may find myself underground again in a couple of weeks or so, but in a cave, this time. Still planning this next trip, so we’ll see…
Cate: My sandwich was great as was the rest of my lunch. Food always tastes better outdoors, don’t you think?
Lovely expression that “two miles of darkness is longer …” I’ve never been searched visiting a dam in Australia but I guess they are potential targets. A sad comment on our modern world.