"Speak only if it improves upon the silence."

- Mahatma Gandhi

Orient Land Trust (OLT) is a magical place for first time visitors and "old timers" alike. For those who have never been here (especially city dwellers), the dark skies and quiet nights can be both enchanting and also a bit disorienting, as it's quite different from typical ambient light and noise levels.

OLT is committed to keeping it's corner of the valley dark, thus sheltering visitors from the harsh city lights that obscure the stunning beauty of the night sky. This has been and continues to be one of the rare gifts to all of us who come here. We in turn can pay it forward by protecting the gift of quiet. In doing so, we all make a contribution to what makes this place such a peaceful getaway.

A broader way we can contribute to the unique beauty of the San Luis Valley is through membership donations, which enable OLT to acquire and protect more land throughout the surrounding area. Our membership donations have supported OLT in conserving over 2,200 acres of natural habitat that will remain wild forever!

At Valley View Hot Springs, we step away from our bright lights and digital distractions, allowing space for something better to emerge. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Let us be silent, that we may hear the whispers of the gods."

So as you step into the deliciously warm and welcoming waters, and savor the vast starlit expanse, let the loudest sound be the distant chorus of coyotes, the fluttering of velvety black bat wings, the trickle of the laughing waters, and the soft whisper of gentle voices. Dark skies, quiet nights!

~ Suzanne Mariner, External Affairs Committee Member