Cochise was a Chiricahua Apache leader who took up arms
in 1861 against an encroaching US Army. He died a natural
death in 1874 and was buried in his favourite place of retreat,
now called Cochise Stronghold, in the Dragoon Mountains of
south-eastern Arizona. Those who knew, never divulged his
exact place of burial
We recently stayed in Cochise Stronghold at a Bed&Breakfast,
situated within a canyon running north-south. The surrounding
area is a natural fortress of boulders and cliffs, and the mountains
have peculiar shapes.
On our first night there, the moon was full. However, long before
it rose over the mountains to the east, it started to light up the
slopes on the opposite side of the canyon, from the top down.
The arrays of boulders shone white, resembling floating clouds.
The effect was magical. I tried to catch it on camera, but the
photos just came out ordinary.
When the moon finally rose over the eastern side of the canyon,
we, too, were bathed in moonlight.
Cochise's stronghold –
he still commands
the bright slopes
* Izak Bouwer says “I am a retired math prof living in Ottawa, Canada. A year ago Angela Sumegi’s and my book GO TO THE PINE was published by Buschek Books of Ottawa.
Cochise's Stronghold