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Us hermits finally left the immediate realm of the Rat last Saturday. It all started with a call from Slim, wanting us to check on his place 'up top'. He had just received a call from a heavy equipment operator suggesting that he check his place for damage. It would appear that someone got the bright idea to take the man's bulldozer and go joy riding the night before, destroying things here and there along the way. The distraught man wasn't exactly sure how much ground the dozer had covered before being left to run out of gas. Since Slim was way up in the Colorado mountains with his cows, we agreed to wander up and check for him. We weren't sure what we would find but it was a great excuse to see the rest of our place again.
The roads were finally dry and the sun was blazing so it was a fine day for photo taking. We took the road up the small canyon which intersects ours and started heading up to the top. A little less than two miles up the road, Mark stopped to let me take a photo (first above) of the now dry wash which zigzags its way down to our creek eventually. We crossed over this same wash four times before the climb up was finished. What makes this particular canyon so much more stunning than most is its narrowness midway up which brings a certain intimacy as the walls reach skywards around you. Always, always, you wonder what other beauty lies hidden in the depths of the deep cuts running off at every angle. Who once lived here, hunted here, passed through here without benefit of this modern road? Your imagination tries to paint in the long missing figures; the Anasazi foraging along the ledges, the pueblo sentinels, the Navajo and Apache hunters and raiders, the Spanish settlers, the Blue Coats, the cattle drovers. They all left their dusty tracks along this canyon as we were doing now.
This is a last minute journal entry since I wasn't in quite the right mood to tackle another necessary writing and decision task today ... which I must, I MUST do ASAP. So hang on, Mushy - I haven't forgotten!
24 comments:
Wonderful photos... I know I'm taking for granted whats in my own backyard, but you cant help but be fascinated by other peoples landscapes.
PopeT, I was thinking the same thing - you had some intriguing photos of your stomping grounds a while back and I would love to see more of them. It sure beats incessantly barfing in a plane for a full day - which I have become rather good at in my later days.
The pictures are spectacular, but don't leave us hanging too long before telling us what you found at Slim's place. He has been such a hero to you for so long I hate to think this helpful person was unjustly rendered damage.
That first picture is gorgeous.
This is what's on my mind though, seeing those pics: what kind of BUGS do you have to deal with?;)
While I could probably make the trip up this canyon on my bike, I most definitely couldn't do it in my Miata!
Great pics! I'm assuming the damage report comes next?
What beautiful country! Hostile one day, peaceful the next. Glad you're having a respite from nature's worst.
What a great description of the Canyon Lin. Photos are terrific.
JAC, not to worry - won't leaving you cliff-hanging for long. I do have to post something on one blog-related award first and then I will get right back to the latest news.
Goddess, you'll get a laugh out of my story about Brou and the bug when I get around to it. Luckily, the bugs are not numerous, proving pretty innocuous and DON'T seem to have any desire to infiltrate the Rat. This is a good thing. A R-E-A-L good thing.
Buck, the Miata might be just a little low but I have seen rig hands blow by in Escorts when the roads are dry enough. Street treads might be iffy on a bike but dual sport treads would work well. Expect a little fish-tailing in the bottoms of the sandy washes but otherwise just watch out for dips and cuts. Coming out?!?
Yes, beautiful photos Lin!
Don't worry about that stupid award thing...there's more important things in life.
Atavist - you nailed it. The Heaven is worth the occasional Hell, hands down. I will post some photos of other close-by parts of the region down the road - it's just an amazing place, so diverse. Sure you don't want me to keep an ear to the ground in case something comes up for sale around here?
Moose, you'll have to experience this for yourself ... I could never do justice to what you see and feel here. It is simply overwhelming, even on a rough day in paradise.
Mushy, you're a doll. It's just that I get all sorts of shuffle-toed uncomfortable when it comes to stuff like that and particularly which two to pass it on to from all my creative blog friends. I'll have to find some way to weasel around it ... I guess, I hope. I'm still thinking frantically.
Good morning Lin. As always a great post and photos. I feel like I'm right there.
Have a great day.
Thanks, Babzy, I know you would have loved that drive around, too. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Wow- how absoulutely stunning. I so envy you your life. You are a rich, rich woman.
The way you described the small canyons, reminded me so much of how I always describe Chiracahua to people - intimate. Being so close to these sheer walls of hoodoos is indescribably spiritual-feeling. I love it. Thanks for sharing these photos and the description.
I love the southwest, I was stationed at Ft Huachuca Az 1963-1967 did manage to see a lot of Az and NM.
Beautiful pictures, and a great description. You do a great job, and shouldn't get too spazzed out over thinking you have to perform for us. Just do what comes natural, and we'll keep loving it.
Phleggmy, I'm so glad that you have been able to know that same feeling. I get goose-bumps even thinking about these places. And now to be able to live among them, you're right, I feel so incredibly fortunate.
Sarge, you were at Ft. Huachuca? Drats, I missed you guys by 9 years - I rode my bike past there back in '76. Never realized that I would be returning to the southwest to stay for good 30 years later.
Thanks, FHB, gotta admit that I got a little spooked over that award thingy. But Mushy said he'd let me off the hook - bless him!
lin, you never cease to make me feel good. Thank you.
You might tell Atavist that you'll sell him some tumbleweed? Cheap.
Cat, forget the tumbleweed - I am hoping that Atavist buys the next ranch up for sale here. We could really live with a sensible neighbor like that!
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