The Carving of A Confluence

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on April 22, 2019 in animal and plant life, Hiking and Nature, Historical, Travel

April 22, 2019, Cameron, AZ-

I set out from Flagstaff, around 9: 30 this morning, heading to the western edge of this once sleepy sheep-ranching community, which is now tapping into the growing number of people who want to visit the Dineh (Navajo) people, see their starkly beautiful land and learn of their culture.

Here, at the foot of Gray Mountain, on the way to Grand Canyon National Park, lie two overlooks which capture that stark beauty and share an area regarded by the Dineh people as their point of emergence from the underground, following a long ago calamity, and thus a sacred site.

It is the last segment of the Little Colorado River, approaching and reaching its confluence with the Colorado River, after a 338 mile journey, from the White Mountains of eastern Arizona, through the Painted Desert and Coconino Plateau.

A two-hour exploration of the twin overlooks offered these scenes. Whilst some will say, “Well, what is so special about black and brown stone?” , the geological story told by the three main layers of limestone (top), granite (middle) and shale (bottom) is, like that of the Grand Canyon itself, a classic account of wind and water working together, with a fair amount of help from volcanic and seismic activity.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

In the far background, please note Navajo Mountain (Naatsis’aan), an igneous rock peak, the rises 10,387 feet, towering over Lake Powell, and like the lake, straddling the line between Arizona and Utah.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

The layers of sedimentary deposit are quite visible, as one scans the rock, from top to bottom.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

The water, whilst uniformly scant, looked clearer from the first overlook than from its western counterpart.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

You may not that there is considerably more silt being washed into the river, as it moves closer to the confluence.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

Looking closely, it might seem as if the granite canyon fascia resembles petrified warriors.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

The algae working this limestone bench seems to show everything from a man with outstretched arms (foreground) to pictographs.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

On the right hand side, below, the tall shafts of sandstone appear to be standing guard over the shallows of the Little Colorado.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

In all the bareness, sage, a medicinal staple of the Dineh and Hopi, alike, grows in abundance. Desert bottlebrush is its accompanist.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

The relatively wet winter has produced an effusion of greenery in the Gorge.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

This struggling, but intrepid, river and its gorge, lead to the most spectacular sight on the North American continent. In the next post, I will focus on the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River, at its east end, and the Desert Tower that overlooks the beginning of its Inner Gorge.

One Good Loop Deserves Another

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on April 7, 2019 in animal and plant life, Hiking and Nature, Historical, Personal Values, Striving

April 7, 2019-

A week or so ago, one of Arizona’s premier hiking columnists, Mare Czinar, wrote of a new trail, branching in elliptical fashion off the Prescott Circle Trail, which I have hiked and chronicled, in the past three years.

A group called “The Over-The-Hill Gang”, loosely named for a Western movie set of characters, has taken it upon themselves to build this, and other new trails, as well as maintain older trails in the area. I value their efforts.

The West Loop Trail begins at a large, new parking area: White Rock. Prior to this, those who wanted to hike in the region west of Thumb Butte had to leave their cars parked just off the road, or into the brush. White Rock is a decent compromise, between “no footprint” activists and those who object to cars clogging the side of the well-traveled recreational road.

The West Trail’s initial segment is .5 mile in length. It features several granite and limestone boulder formations, so despite its brevity and flatness, this small sector is worthy of keeping one’s eyes open. I reassured a tired little guy, doing the home stretch with his parents, that he was almost done. It was nice to see that kept him going, instead of having Mom or Dad carry him.

The boulder fields are off-trail, thus making for a quick, easy start.

As with any large number of rocks, the imagination can show a given boulder to have a human or animal likeness. I see the boulder in the background as George Washington.

Poking out from between two boulders is a charred tree limb, with the likeness of an angry snake.

These sandstone boulders are laid out, almost looking like segments of a large worm. It was about here, that I turned left, onto the Javelina Trail, a part of Prescott Circle.

I took a brief rest at this spot, writing in my hiking journal, as to the ambiance of the place. I had the trail to myself, much of the time, with the preponderance of other users being bicyclists, whose presence is most always fleeting. I step to the side for them, as downhill and flatland find cyclists going at a fast clip and uphill involves their huffing and puffing.

Here, I see another giant watchman, in the center of this scene.

This clump of boulders is another fine spot for sitting and meditating.

“Little Italy” is a side trail, which I will investigate on another hike.

This abandoned corral was part of a small ranch in the area, prior to the National Forest being established. The rancher moved away, before the Forest took over.

All that is left of his home is this chimney. It seems to have been used as an outdoor oven.

The reason for his choice of home is simple: Here is the South Fork of Willow Creek.

From the creek, the path becomes Firewater Trail. A brief climb takes us past this stern eagle-like formation.

Back on the flat trail, a dead alligator juniper resembles a welcoming totem pole.

At the junction of Firewater Trail and the homestretch of West Trail, a clever OTHG member placed this trail marker.

Surrounding peaks make their presence known, along the West Trail. To the southeast, is Thumb Butte.

To the north is majestic Granite Mountain.

Working around a family who had come to this panoramic viewpoint for photos, I got this shot of the San Francisco Peaks.

After taking a photo of the three family members together, I headed down the last half mile. Just before the parking lot, I came upon this little “critter”.

My left knee and cardiopulmonary system thank me for this afternoon- and I extend that thanks to the Over-The-Hill-Gang and the U.S. Forest Service. It’s good to feel like old times.

The Blessings Outweigh….

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on March 5, 2019 in animal and plant life, collaborating, Community, Family, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel, Uncategorized

March 2-5, 2019-

This past weekend brought the beginning of our Nineteen-Day Fast, abstaining from food and beverages between sunrise and sunset, March 2-20 (most years), for those in good health between the ages of 15-70. This year’s Fast is a bit complex for me, due to travel that will interrupt the practice (Baha’u’llah excuses the traveler; women who are pregnant, nursing, or in their courses; the seriously ill and those engaged in heavy physical work).

I made good use of the weekend, participating in a seed education program, with one of the community groups in which I’m involved: Slow Food-Prescott. I am no expert on seeds, but I can still help with set-up and breakdown of the hall. I also re-learned a lot about plants- seeds, as opposed to spores, and the various aspects of germination.

Sunday brought me back to Phoenix, for a large music festival: McDowell Mountain Music Festival, ironically not held in Scottsdale, but in downtown Phoenix’s Hance Park. Two Drum Circles and time with a vibrant and highly artistic friend made the whole event worth the drive.

There was a most diverse group sitting in on the drum circles.

This English band, Maribou State, was giving the last performance of its current tour. It was their first visit to Phoenix.

My friend was very busy with hoop dancing, and had been at it for three days straight.

I headed back to Prescott in a prudent manner, and have had a good couple of days at work, this week. Today marked the eighth anniversary of Penny’s passing. I stopped at the gravesite on Sunday, prior to attending the Music Festival. I was thus able to properly mark our connection, with a vase of white carnations, which were her favourite flower, and time in quiet reflection. She loved drumming and had great respect for hoop dancers, so my participation in the former and encouraging Pam and some young women in the latter, was an homage as well.

Most important, though, I have continued with two of our shared passions: Educating special needs children and advocating wellness. I have, if all goes well, two years after this, in full time education. Wellness, though, will be part of my life until it’s time to head beyond. Essential oils and living a healthy lifestyle are the foundation of my thriving.

In a few short days, I head to South Korea, for the formal wedding of Aram and Yunhee, a return to Jeju and renewing my ties to one of our blessed homes together. The blessings always outweigh any hardships.

Some Spinach Meal Ideas

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on December 19, 2018 in animal and plant life, Slow Food

December 19, 2018, Prescott-

I get tired of the arrogance of the high and mighty.

This makes me look to simple and joyful things,

as a diversion.

Spinach has always been one of my favourite foods.

I will not offer recipes and cooking instructions,

but spinach goes well with:

Feta cheese, especially when baked for 20 minutes,

in a steel or aluminum dish;

Peppers and onions, in a skillet;

Filleted fish, wrapped inside the greenery;

Ground beef, lamb, bison or elk, green onions, sweet peppers,

in a soup, prepared in a crock pot;

As a layer, in a five layer lasagna;

Diced and combined with ricotta,

as a manicotti stuffing.

In summer, spinach is a fine staple,

in any hot weather salad.

Spinach: Not just for Popeye, anymore!

Throwback Thursday and Desert Shrimp

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on December 6, 2018 in animal and plant life, collaborating, Family, Personal Values, Slow Food, Spiritual, Striving

December 6, 2018, Prescott-

Thirty-eight years ago, today, I met the woman who would change my life, immeasurably, for the better. Penny and I met in a crowded and very simple house, in Zuni, NM, on the night of a house blessing (known as Shalako). We shared a chair, taking turns sitting down and nodding off, during the all-night ceremony.

We ended up sharing everything else, for close to thirty years, all but one of those years as husband and wife. As I’ve said before, she’s still looking out for me, in ways large and small, since her passing in March, 2011.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

Above, we are flanked by my parents, on our wedding day, June 6, 1982.

We shared many of the same tastes in food, among other things. We both appreciated healthy and unadulterated ingredients. So, I think she would have liked Desert Sweet Shrimp. https://arizonashrimp.com/

I purchased a pound of these gems, over a month ago, and made two great meals out of them. The first order of business, when preparing shrimp for a fine repast, is to shell the Caridea (the correct name of the creatures which are bred in this series of well-derived ponds, in Gila Bend, AZ). Shelling can be done in a variety of ways- the easiest of which is to soak the shrimp in beer, for 8-10 hours. This leads to the shell falling off, almost automatically. I chose to shell each one individually, sans bier, so as to get a feel for the relationship between the shell and the flesh. Deveining follows, no matter what method one uses for removing the shell. Deveining means removing the receptacle holding the shrimp’s fecal matter, so it’s a VERY important step. The Caridea are then rinsed, at least twice, before being added to a recipe. It took me an hour to properly prepare the shrimp for cooking. Below is an image (Courtesy of Arizona Shrimp Company-all rights reserved) of the actual shrimp that I purchased.

Super_Jumbo_298eccd1-3fe9-46e7-94b1-5b6d9814932d_590x

I prepared most of the shrimp in sopa de camarones (“shrimp soup”), using green onions, chili powder, turmeric and sea salt. It’s been a favourite of mine, since I first ate it in Puerto Penasco, Sonora, nearly forty years ago. I used the rest in a small scampi dish, using a recipe posted on In Diane’s Kitchen, https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/114793426/posts/27651 , on September 13.

Both were exquisite meals, which gave me sustenance for over a week. I hope to visit the actual facility, during a few days in the West Valley and Gila Bend, right after New Year’s. I also hope the company will continue a presence at Prescott Farmers’ Market, next spring and summer.

This is the first of a series of posts honouring the festive, and deeper, aspects of the great December holidays. NEXT: Prescott’s Acker Night.

The 2018 Road, Day 5: Scenes of White, Red and Green

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on June 2, 2018 in animal and plant life, Community, Hiking and Nature, Social, Travel

May 31, 2018, Limon, CO-

A drive from Salina to Green River, Utah entails being mindful of all things road trip-related. First and foremost of these are gas and water, the latter for both the car’s radiator and for its passengers. Having lived in the arid Southwest for 34 of the last 40 years, I am one of those who does not leave home without plenty of both.

So, after a fine night’s sleep, at Ranch Motel, in downtown Salina, I greeted the motel’s maid (not exactly a morning person) and went down the street to Mom’s Cafe. The hostess was much more cheerful and served up a scrambled eggs, sausage patty and pancakes platter that would see me through the whole day.

After my morning repast, I took a couple of views of downtown Salina.

Prep work for the long day’s drive then took over. I said farewell to the Ranch Motel folks. I really would stay there again. Morning grouchiness aside, they are a nice family. Across the street, Barrett’s Market had ice and a few food items that I needed. NAPA Auto parts had a couple of items for my project to secure the rear panel that is still taped in place, from last October’s mishap, outside Gila Cliff Dwellings, NM. Finally, I stopped at Fast Gas, for the most important item, and I was on my way.

There are several scenic view pullouts, between Salina and Green River. Three of them were my photo stops: Salt Wash, Devil’s Canyon and Spotted Wolf Canyon. A fourth, Ghost Rock, is one I am saving for an extended Utah visit, that will occupy October, 2020. More about that, later.

Salt Wash is the largest of the three sites I visited this morning. Here are a few of the scenes that awaited me.

The top two scenes show the limestone that sits atop so many layers of sandstone, which forms the nearly endless canyons of our region. The various layers are visible, in the third photo, above.

Salt Wash had a sizable display of Dineh (Navajo) art and crafts. I purchased a lovely bowl, as part of my gift for the wedding which is taking me to Philadelphia, in mid-June. When I got to Devil’s Canyon, a few blankets were laid out, with necklaces and such, all lovely, but I had what I wanted. Here are a couple of views from this second viewpoint.

You can see that, with just the passage of a few miles, a slight change in elevation brings a drastic difference in landscape and plant life.

At Spotted Wolf Canyon, the easternmost of the scenic viewpoints, there were no vendors, just a news photographer, out of Salt Lake City, plying his craft. I worked around him, and got these scenes.

This is the beginning of the relentless maze of canyons and eroded bottomlands, that make southeastern Utah, and much of nearby northeastern Arizona, such a major desert trekking haven. I am looking to do justice to Utah’ s great parks and reserves-thus, a plan to spend all of July, 2020, beginning with the Goosenecks of the San Juan River and moving through Arches, Canyonlands and westward, ending at Cedar Breaks.

I made my next stop in Grand Junction, western Colorado’s regional commercial hub, intending to gas up again and get the car washed. The car wash attendant had to manually restart the system, both for me and for the gentleman who came after me. I ended up spending nearly two hours in Grand Junction, with not much to show for it, but the car was clean.

As luck would have it, my second cousin, in Denver, was working and I know my sister-in-law, with two jobs, would likely be unavailable when I got there. So, I stopped in Glenwood Springs and had dinner at 19th Street Diner, a westside spot where another friend works. She wasn’t there, but I was well-treated.

Along the way from Glenwood to Denver, the Colorado River shows its relative health.

It will be a fine day, when this level of vitality is again visible, for the length of this great river. Alas, man must drink.

Wind, furious at times, was my companion from Denver to Limon, Colorado, where I would spend the night. It was a minor adventure, gassing up in the small town of Watkins, just east of Denver International Airport. The clerk inside was blase about the wind- “Well, we are in the Plains.” True enough, and so it would continue, as I moved through Kansas.

Saving Bees

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on May 15, 2018 in animal and plant life

Reblogged from Soul Gifts.

Sixty-Six, for Sixty Six, Part L: A Hoosier Menagerie

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on July 25, 2017 in animal and plant life, children, Family, Social

July 10, 2017, Goshen, IN-

After leaving, Notre Dame, I realized I needed some sustenance. Finding a pizzeria, in Elkhart , closed on Monday, I went into Martin’s Supermarket, on the east end of town, and had a small snack. Good thing, it wasn’t linner, as I was able to contact another friend, Mcbery, and arrange to meet her, hubby and grandchildren, for a tour of their substantial farm, in nearby Goshen. While en route to our meeting point, I met a harbinger of the visit to come: A Canadian goose crossing zone!

I went into Elkhart’s public library, and no sooner had I sat down at a computer desk, than Miriam and Lee showed up. Off we went, me trailing carefully behind, through Goshen’s narrow lanes. The menagerie was not long in greeting us, at this estimable farm. There are the usual animals resident on farms: Cattle, horses, sheep, goats, donkeys and dogs. Then, there are chickens and Guinea pigs, enjoying one another’s company.

The fauna now took a decidedly more exotic turn, with two types of flightless birds greeting us, with squawks. The emus, and at least one rhea, manage also to share a large pen. I was glad to see no cassowary in the mix- those birds are especially vicious.

The most challenging resident, for now, is a three-month-old camel. Lee seems to be the only person who can keep a lid on her behaviour. She came up to me, regarded me with interest, then quickly jumped away, on her little excursion of mischief.

Further down the path, a full-grown camel led a parade of animals towards their evening feeding. I was glad to take part in this, and the camel seen here accepted a fistful, or two, of clover and grass, from me.

After meeting all the animals, it was time for the grandkids to go to their home, down the path, and for the three of us to go for our dinner. So I close, with a photo of this wonderful farm family.

Indiana has been, once again, a delight, and in three diverse ways, last night and today.

NEXT UP: Three posts about Ohio, starting with Van Wert, and the most interesting things that happened there.

Constant Solace

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on March 28, 2017 in animal and plant life, Family, Service Activities, Social, Travel

March 28, 2017, Prescott Valley- This afternoon, whilst shuttling between meetings. I listened to a discussion, on NPR, about emotional support animals. It set me to thinking about the matters: Of people who feel invisible and untended; of false equivalency between those who are truly disabled, those who are mildly inconvenienced, and how does one accurately distinguish between the two; of those who are simply gaming the system.

When I was a child, there were Seeing Eye Dogs and police dogs, with specific missions, who were not to be bothered, in the course of their duties. In the late 1970’s, came Hearing Dogs, which was almost a no-brainer. After the closing of mental hospitals, and with the onset of more research on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Therapy Dogs and Equestrian Therapy started to become commonplace, especially in the American West. These animals all still serve a wide variety of people in pain.

In the 1990’s, and continuing through the present time, we have seen a more personalized extension of the therapy animal: The Emotional Support Animal (ESA). Dogs, cats, budgerigars, pythons, lizards, ferrets, hamsters, even llamas and burros, have been presented, in one or more social situations and public spaces, as essential companions to humans.

For those making these new demands upon the rest of society, the traditional concept of pets has gone out the window. I know many who treasure their various pets, sometimes as members of the family. Most of my pet-owning friends keep their furry friends at home, or make humane arrangements for them, when out of town. To the people who regard their animals as essential to their own well-being, however, the idea of being away from them, even for a night on the town, becomes nerve-wracking, traumatic, and completely unacceptable.

I can understand a lot of this. Other than the unconditional love of a significant other, there are few things more appealing than the comfort of one’s favourite animal, especially after a stressful day. A warm dog or cat is also a comfort for many who live, and sleep, alone.

Enter the Golden Rule. I am just posing these questions- without judgment:

Are the feelings of one’s fellow diners, and of eatery staffs, being considered, when one brings an ESA into a restaurant or outdoor cafe?

Is it safe, or even comfortable, to bring a stock animal onto a train? What about the comfort of the animal?

Can the likes of a dog, cat, gerbil or python really be suitable for riding in the coach of an airplane? What about the animal’s safety, in the event its human needs to evacuate said aircraft?

What about the management of a conflict between, say, a dog and cat, or two animals in heat?

These are all, to my mind, fair questions. I will read any reasonable, well- considered responses with a great deal of interest.

Sixty-Six for Sixty Six, Part XIX: Two Kinds of Heaven

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on March 25, 2017 in animal and plant life, Hiking and Nature, Personal Values, Social, Striving

March 14, 2017, Superior- I was invigorated, despite it being an afternoon during the Fast, once the High Trail came into view. This fairly easy trail first led down into Queen Creek Canyon, and past an old, abandoned Pump House.

The energetic and happy family ahead of me were already planning to bounce along the bridge that crossed Queen Creek and take on the ridge, which gives High Trail its name. I was more than glad to follow suit. As they bounced up and down, in unison, I lingered behind, to take in the fragrance of some Texas Scarlet, and view upwards, at the rhyolite which Queen Creek seems to have thrust upwards.

Then, it was time to do a bit of jumping of my own.

Queen Creek was still, on this gorgeous afternoon.

The views eastward, however, were an extra delight- the rugged edges of a particular heaven.

I was able to get one more, long-distance view of Picket Post House, before heading back down into the canyon.

Obsidian accompanies rhyolite, as one heads towards the Australian exhibit.

After one last look at the rhyolite “castles”, for today, I headed back towards the Arboretum.

There are two greenhouses, on the western edge of the park. These house plants that are still delicate, primarily from the “cone” of South America and from southern and eastern Africa.

Mammilaria are the main feature of Green House 1.

Euphorbia, and aloe, dominate Green House 2. The first shows plants from Madagascar, which, like the U.S. has a rugged desert Southwest.

These plants are from the equally rugged southwest of the Arabian Peninsula.

With that, I exited Boyce Thompson Arboretum. My return, in the first days of April, will be in no small part due to a special soul, working in this little bit of heaven.