Simon Griffee
Design consulting, art direction, photography.

New Mexico, New Mexico, USA, July 2005

Published 2006 December 27

Driving into New Mexico, where one of the more frightening experiences of the cross-country trip happened. ¶ We were looking for hot springs near the Rio Grande Gorge bridge when four men appeared behind us out of nowhere, probably from a cave. They had been drinking. My adrenalin and heart-rate shot up immediately upon seeing them. ¶ I said “Get ready to jump in the river”, and then had a thought. I looked up to the cliffs high above the gorge and began shouting “John! John! We’re down here! We found the springs!” I waved and smiled. The men became surprised and a look of angry disappointment flashed on their faces as we stepped around them and climbed back up the path as fast as we could. ¶ New Mexico took on a menacing air to me after that afternoon.