Then the sun broke above the crest of the hills and the entire countryside looked soaked in blood, the arroyos deep in shadow, the cones of dead volcanoes stark and biscuit-colored against the sky. I could smell pinion trees, wet sage, woodsmoke, cattle in the pastures, and creek water that had melted from snow. I could smell the way the country probably was when it was only a dream in the mind of God.
In a vivid and striking scene, the sun rises over the hills, transforming the landscape into a surreal tableau reminiscent of blood, casting shadows over the arroyos. The stark contrast of the dead volcano cones against the sky enhances the dramatic atmosphere. The narrator immerses in the rich scents of nature, evoking memories of pinion trees, sage, smoke from fires, and the refreshing smell of melted snow in the creeks.
This olfactory experience takes the narrator back to a time when the land existed as a pure vision in the divine imagination, emphasizing a connection between humanity and the beauty of the countryside. The sensory details highlight the deep-rooted connection between the environment and spiritual elements, inviting readers to contemplate the essence of the landscape and its historical significance.
