Lost Ladybug Land

Lost Ladybug Land

Noel Laflin

October 30, 2014

We were on our way to Point Imperial, Cape Royal and many other spectacular sights along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon when we spotted the small glade.  I am not sure why we pulled over to investigate, but am grateful that we did so all of these many years later.

Now in my opinion, anytime spent visiting anywhere within or atop or even remotely near the Grand Canyon is time well spent.  And this particular trip, back in the summer of 1992, was no exception.

Hidden somewhat from the road, our glade could have stood double for a scene from fairyland.  There were magnificent, towering pines, meadow grasses, a bubbling spring, and wildflowers galore.  The rest of our merry band jumped from the van and joined in exploration.

 

And that is when the first ladybug landed on the back of my hand.  She was soon joined by another and then another.  I looked at my friends and noted that they too were harboring the tiny red and black beetles – and more were landing everywhere.  Soon, our arms and legs were swathed in brilliant color.  We had become very much the epitome of living, breathing, walking pieces of art.

 

Looking about, we saw fallen trees and stumps covered and transformed in color by the masses of these tiny insects.  The air was brimming with the miniature creatures as well, wings fluttering at eighty-five beats per second.

So we lingered in our secret garden and marveled at the spectacle in red and black.  We could have stayed longer, but majestic views and a canyon sunset beckoned. Specks of black and red flew out the open windows as we sped off down the road.  Well wishes of 'Fly away home' were repeated time and again.

I have been back several times along that very road over the years and have always kept an eye out for that well-hidden glade.  I have not found it again.  

I fear the ladybugs just up and carried it away no doubt.  There certainly were enough of them to do so.