April 9, 2017, Prescott- Yesterday, I wrote of the western third of the contiguous United States, which is where I have spent most of my time, since 1992. Being from the East Coast, and preferring surface travel over flying, especially when the weather is good, I have developed an affinity for the regions which many call “flyover country”. The Great Plains and South Central regions may not have the jaw-dropping grandeur of the Mountain West or Alaska, but there is plenty worthy of spending one’s time.
The Rockies, of course, are the heart of the Mountain West. In many visits to the heights of Colorado, I have felt most at home in Longmont, Loveland and Denver, where I have family. Manitou Springs, Garden of the Gods and Seven Falls have helped make Colorado Springs another “feel at home” stopover. One of these years, I will find my way to the summit of Pikes Peak. Boulder, also, has welcomed me, several times, with wonders ranging from Pearl Street Mall, and Boulder Books, to Eldorado Canyon, which I hiked in the rain, whilst carrying an umbrella. The Tetons and Yellowstone invite me back, as well, with visions of geysers and Grizzlies.
As the Rockies recede into the Great Plains, I find Spirit Tower (forget the name, “Devil”), Medicine Wheel, the Badlands, Black Elk Peak (formerly Harney Peak), Scott’s Bluff and the determination of the Indigenous People of the prairie as riveting as any great mountain or canyon. Little towns like Deadwood, Belvedere and Custer(overlook the name) (SD), Burlington, Granada and Walsenburg (CO), Wellington,Dodge City and Hays (KS) have been as welcoming as any place in the West. There is, to my mind, a goodly amount of sophistication and culture to be found in Omaha, Lincoln and Wichita, as well.
Friends in Amarillo and Enid (OK) have helped make those cities almost necessary pit stops, on any eastward trek that takes a southern route. Texas, like California, is a world unto itself. I was captivated by the warmth I felt, across the state, from the great cities of El Paso, San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth, Dallas and Houston to small communities- Grand Saline, South Padre Island, Laredo, Marfa, Sanderson, Quanah and Temple. There wasn’t much happening in Luckenbach, when I happened through there, but the locals were glad I came, anyway. Revelations abound, across the Lone Star State, from the view of the Rio Grande’s confluence with the Gulf of Mexico, to Pedernales Falls, northwest of San Antonio, or the wild canyons of the Llano Estacado and the Trans-Pecos region. My favourite museum section remains the Music Hall, at Bob Bullock Museum of Texas History, near the Texas State Capitol (itself an extraordinary edifice). Then, there are the five missions in San Antonio- a very full day of discovery!
Oklahoma has no end of variety, but I will content myself with sending kudos to Lake Texoma and Lake of the Cherokees, Black Mesa(the state’s highest point, at its juncture with New Mexico and Colorado), Tonkawa and its monument to Chief Joseph, of the Nez Perce, and the heartfelt, humbling memorial to the victims of Oklahoma City’s tragic bombing, in 1995. Oklahoma City remains the only place where I have been mistaken for a county employee- being invited to an employee barbecue, as I walked by, on the way to the Memorial.
I will continue to skip the temptation to fly over, as long as the weather is not too harsh.
March 14, 2017, Superior- No doubt about it, this area has me hooked. Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, a combination of Desert Botanical Garden and the Prescott Circle Trail, is the centerpiece of an intensely spiritual region. Queen Creek, which runs through the park, on the south side, has carved Arizona’s best-kept secret, in its network of canyons. Picket Post Mountain, to the west, watches over the Arboretum, like a strong big brother. The people I met, from a gentle wanderer who is exploring all the National Forests west of the Mississippi, to a vibrant,passionately caring barista, exuded the sort of spirituality that comes from tapping into the extant energy field that is found in places that stay close to their natural origins.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum has an extensive catalog of course offerings, on the uses of desert plants. I am likely to make good use of those courses, in the intermediate future.
It also looks as if there is a ridge that could accommodate the hiker.
The young couple were a bit taken aback, as I returned to the campsite, where my tent was set up. They hushed their small, annoyed dog, as I explained I had been at the campsite for a while and had gone to town for dinner. As they were car-camping, and the campground is free, we were all fine with each other’s presence. Besides, after some banter, I left them alone, and was content to watch the stars and think loving thoughts. The campground reflected those back.
A Sagittarian Seeker 