"Maybe this place was underwater a million years ago..." the husband was saying as we stood in the Butac viewpoint where we had a quick stop on the way home from a road trip to Bitalag in Tagudin.
We noticed the welcome signage by the roadside so we pulled over for a while, curious of what we would be seeing from there.
We went in and found out that the small shed had been built on top of a very huge rock. The whole top of the area had a fence all around it. There was also a large crack almost in the middle of the rock where they installed steel bars and covered it with flat sheets. At first, we thought it was a drainage or something.
On seeing it, the Farmboy's imagination went wild. "What if this rock suddenly splits in half while we're here?" he teased with a big grin on his face. Although I knew he was just joking, my knees weakened and I felt goosebumps all over me. Guess I imagined something bad and had a quick moment of terror, lol!
Anyway, here are some of the captures from there. There is less water in the river which makes it easy to see the rocks of various shapes and sizes. Perhaps the husband was right? Could it be that the place was a body of water many centuries ago?
The rocky foot of the hills and the mountains are noticeable as we traversed along the road. The river was long and we observed that it had similar rocks even after a few kilometers away from the viewpoint.
"But what if what you said was true, that would mean there were no human beings here then?" I challenged the hubby afterward. "Do you think some dinosaurs and other animals played in this place?" I asked further. Well, my mind going places and I couldn't help it.
"Maybe... or not..." he said in a half-teasing tone. Well, at least he was in doubt just as I was, lol!
Anyway, so much for a conversation. We went silent and continued with our journey back home.
"I wonder why this area is called Tirad Pass," I broke the silence when we started to climb the ascending road.
It was one of the most dangerous routes some decades ago according to our folks. People from our region used it during the times when the Halsema Highway was unpassable. Back then, it was the only route that connected us to the lowlands, and then from there, anyone could go anywhere else.
"Just look at those sharp mountain backs," the husband said, translating the words "Tirad" (local dialect) = Sharp.
It never occurred to me but it kind of made sense. Perhaps one day, we'll traverse that road again and who knows what kind of stuff we will talk about.
I don't know if it happens with you, but we tend to have weird conversations. At times, there is no direction or closure. So I'd better stop now before more ramblings gush in, lol! Happy new week, frens!
All photos are my own. 08012024/19:05ph
