From the journal on March 1, this is the quote from my planner: “Tune into your inner guidance even when things are going well for you.” Well, that sounds like good advice to start the month!
Clifford and I are camped along Black Rock Road in the very northwest corner of Arizona. This has been a good spot for us this winter and fortunately it has not been too windy. But, as is typical for the deserts of the Southwest, the wind starts to blow in March, so there are days when we are outside less and involved with inside projects more.
One of our projects is making new aprons for me. I pin and cut, Clifford sews. Good teamwork and in a few days, I have two pretty new aprons. Clifford is also keeping on with his scientific research, despite the limited space to work.
The early days of March are spent picking up trash from around the parking lot at Black Rock exit and from the campsites along the road. It is hard to believe how trashy humans can be, but also really great that a group of us have gathered to work together to return the desert back to a better state of being.
As it has been for the past months, I find delight in watching the changing colors at sunrise and sunset, enhancing the scenic desert setting. Pine Mountain looms to the north, other mountains are more distant. Mesas range from very distant to within walking distance. Some chilly mornings, I am tempted to go back to bed for its warmth. I guess peeking out the door to witness the sunrise doesn’t help with the indoor temperature, but oh the joy of seeing the sun the very instant it crosses the horizon. It means I am alive and that light and warmth will fill the day.
Midway through March, I realize that by running up to the ridge to the west, I can get a shot of the full moon as it sets. What excitement I feel catching this moment and later it is fun to use photo editing to make birthday greetings for a friend and a granddaughter.
Spending time editing photos for my BeCreative series is a fun indoor project for me on the chilly or windy days. Letting go of the rules and experimenting is a good way of breaking old habitual ways of seeing.
Once a month we go to Littlefield about 20 miles to the south to pick up our mail, making the journey through the Virgin River Gorge. This is always an inspiring drive as the highway wends its way through the rugged and majestic mesas with occasional glimpses of the Virgin River.
I go walking most days unless it is too windy, and Clifford occasionally goes on much longer hikes by himself. One day we hike together to the top of the nearest mesa with hot tea and snacks in our backpacks, an actual outing! The view is quite vast and down in the basin we can see a couple of dots – our RV and our friend, David’s 5th wheel.
We contemplate the timing of our leaving, as I want to be in Montana by mid June to rendezvous with my daughter, Becka, but as we watch the weather, our tentative destination in northern Nevada is still much too cold and snowy. We will stay put for the time being and enjoy each day as it comes to us here in Black Rock Arizona.
