Can you find water in the desert? It's like finding a stash of gold. These majestic old cottonwoods at the base of the Davis Mountains tap into Limpia Creek and follow the elusive water source as it hides underground along Highway 17. Cottonwoods watched over this flat stretch of canyon even before a paved road ran between Fort Davis and Alpine. The old frontier army post and the tiny town of Fort Davis grew up because, like the big trees, they found water here. Giant cottonwoods still shade the fort's grounds, and each fall, a golden procession lines and marks the hidden creek. In my painting, I saw their display of gold as it would've looked before asphalt cut through the grassy pasture. Can you hear the soft rustling of leaves? Some are clicking against others, some are floating to the ground, but all are living proof that even if you can't see something, it can still exist. Generations of golden trees have seen it all because they put their trust in an invisible creek. I hope this piece brings a golden bit of elusive West Texas magic into your day.