The idea of leaving our creek behind brings some rueful moments with it, even aside from the name of our journal becoming largely irrelevant at that point.
Although it is dry for most of its life, that one percent when the creek runs fully is a marvel to behold. You can wade through the sage brush and descend to sit on its banks, listening to the rise and fall of the waters as they find new pockets in the sandy banks to tease and roust and to watch any number of curious things being rolled along noisily in the shallow but rowdy currents. And you imagine for a moment what it would be like if this creek was forever so alive. Trout? Silent wading anglers? Being able to launch an inner tube and drift lazily down to its end? Utterly pleasant fantasies for a cool and breezy afternoon with the sun dappling warmly down on your arms through the chattering leaves of the tall cottonwoods. Peaceful. Joyous. So deeply invigorating.
But the creek soon spends its small allotment of rain waters and withers into a silent white sandy ribbon once more.
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I came across this above photo again this morning and smiled. The old storefront architecture had helped inspire my original plan for the new Rat Town facades and the theme echoed my fondness for the totally incongruous and outrageous. Before I found this photo, I had already planned on hanging faux store placards announcing guided fishing tours and water skis for rent in the midst of our dusty desert canyon. Come to think of it, I might still do so when we relocate up top. Maybe I'll even stock a cattle watering trough with a few goldfish and call it a resort. Well? Why not?!.
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25 comments:
I've been up Shit Creek more times than I care to remember. Luckily I always had some sort of paddle with me.
I love to read about your adventures; hopefully I'll have a bit more time again to try and catch up on what I've missed.
I simply LOVE that photo! You have NO idea how many times I've found myself in that particular burg before the Paddle Store arrived on the scene. Or... maybe you DO! Didn't I see ya there once or twice, Lin? ;-)
I like the concept of a "Rat Resort." I think you should name it something like that, too.
Geez, it's great to have you check in, Atavist, I was beginning to worry about you. Sounds like your Panama paradise project is starting to roll - no wonder you were scarce for a while.
To the rest of our readers: you just might click on his link "The Atavist" in my blog roll to see the really cool community they are planning. If we hadn't fallen so in love with this place, I would be seriously considering joining them. I'm not kidding.
And if you know anything about building step pyramids, definitely give him a holler.
Buck, so that was YOU I kept colliding with in that big brown creek of life? That explains why you look so familiar now. Go ahead and pinch that photo if you like - anyone who has tread water in that creek should do so proudly.
(grin) ... it might be a toss-up between the Rat Resort and the Last Resort.
Lin, I need to point out that "God willin' and the..." is the beginning of your blog title. In the case of the Rat and all its denizens that first part might be the be all and end all of your fabulous adventures. If you're not religious, then take it as philosophy (I do) and keep us interested and laughing and shaking our heads in wonder at your marvelous style.
Oh, yeah, get a job, too.
Goldfish can also live under ice sheets, too, so no worry there. And cats love fish. Good thinkin' Lin.
P.S. You can always rent tackle to tourists and give them the bread for bait.
That'd make a PERFECT 8x10 glossy wall-hanger, right next to my "Who's Boss" framed set of "rules"...!
Should we bring our paddles this weekend. They're kind of worn out from all the use though. Damn creek.
Love the 'Paddle Store' shop for the 'rat' village. We'll ring the door bell in the usual way. Just listen for my Wart Hog speaking. Can't wait. Red
I hope the move goes well. i think you could definetly turn it into a resort. Just wait till people put down a deposit to tell them about the lack of water... everywhere.
I love the description of the creek...very good indeed. You need to go for that blook!
Cat, you're right ... it's not like our bumbling adventures are likely to let up because we gain elevation, is it? (grin) Oh, oh, oh - you inadvertently reminded me of one more thing to put on the 'if we do' list - that we might have to downsize the generator main jets again if we go that much higher.
Guess a Cat should know all about goldfish and cats. One day I should write about Mark's beloved cat and its Godfather-like revenge on me.
I never did tell you about the job that found me a week after we arrived here, did I? I've worked some unpleasant jobs in my life to survive but that one pretty me put me off the "j" word for the foreseeable future.
Drats, Bruno - I wish that photo had been of better resolution and 'suitable for framing' for your shop wall ... it IS priceless.
Red, as always, bring your paddles! Oh, please ask Sally to be watching for cheap second-hand paddles for us, okay?
There really is no sense in me installing a door bell, is there?
Hey, even better ... looks like you're finally going to meet the venerable BSA John (fingers crossed!)
Alex, you have a point about non-refundable deposits there (evil grin inserted). Oh, and showers are extra but dependent on the last rainfall. "Well, not my fault that you didn't read the fine print, is it?" I think I have been on these vacations myself before.
Mushy, thank you - I can tell that if anyone is going to convince me to do a blook, it is going to be you. And that is VERY MUCH appreciated. It will still be an uphill, tooth pulling battle though - so just be forewarned, my dear, dear friend.
you know, i was just thinkin about if the creek really did rise, and here you do a blog which was in my thoughts before i spoke or is it in my speaking before my thoughts really jelled...you live a lifestyle that i would dearly love, new mexico, old mine stories, your reasons for being there, things i don't know yet, like your backgound and if you really are suited for it all, well all that will come
I loved the photo. Like when I bought this house and it had a neat little Koi pond out front. Though I'd lived where it snowed a lot, it never got down below zero for days on end, so I didn't think about pond heaters. Woke up after a three day blizzard to koisicles. Pond frozen clear through. Still waiting for that idiot from PETA in the fish suit to show up.
Geez, putz, your bardic messages leave me breathless. I just know you would love to do what we are doing ... and probably have the same amount of open-ended questions as to whether you can survive it or not. But that is half the fun, of course. We take the same approach as Funky Butte Ranch; if we can make it, then ANYONE can - so don't give up on that dream!
Lin M, I sure remember your nasty run-in with hard freezes and koisicles - that was just AWFUL.
If I do anything to recreate the small pond which I had to leave behind, I will make sure that it sits a minimum of 3 foot into the ground (having learned the heart-breaking way on that experiment). Being the ever frugal soul that I am, I will first invest in feeder goldfish at 3 for a buck. When they do survive, they can grow to respectable size and I loved that brilliant flash of orange as they surfaced and churned to mooch kibble. This project is definitely in my bag of dreams yet to come.
Thanks for the project mention, Lin. I appreciate it!
Atavist, you are VERY welcome. I love spreading the word on unique and very cool projects and yours is one. Quite honestly, had we not fallen so in love with the southwest, I would have been petitioning the CFO to look into it with serious intent.
I always figured the creek was kind of spiritual anyway so it will be always flowing where ever you are!...oh dear I just turned hippy!
thud, that was a rather endearing sentiment! I think we all have and should express our inner hippy from time to time ... just don't do it in a cowboy bar, is all. They tightly keep that stuff to themselves in public (but MOST of them have it, don't kid yourself on that). grin
Beautiful descriptions, as usual. I'd LOVE to live on a river somewhere. Wonderful. Maybe some day.
You know, the storefront with the canoe rental and all that is exactly like something I would do! Love it!
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