I had scrambled up the red monolith as sunset approached. I moved as fast as I could over the rust colored rock but had no idea how far I had to go. The high point was nearly a mile from the crest and the uneven up and down took longer than expected. I reached the highest knob and sat as the sun began to set on the barren burnt earth creating shafts of light that streaked to the ground. The sky turned a soft blue to pink behind the distant round mounds of the Olgas. A small oasis of sand and shrubs encircled me, life growing on solid red rock - an ancient and revered place. I sat alone as the light faded.



Ayers Rock