Black Rock Road, Arizona – November 2022

Amazing Vivid Color at Sunset seen from Black Rock Road

Sunday, November 6, 2022

Clifford and I move from Echo Canyon State Park near Pioche, Nevada, to Black Rock Road, just south of St. George, Utah, because of the forecast for more snow in Nevada.  Since we don’t want to get stuck in Nevada for the winter, we need to get ourselves to a lower elevation right away.

Leaving Echo Canyon Nevada State Park

There is a mountain range between us and Black Rock Road in northwest Arizona where we intend to camp on public land near our friend David. There are a couple mountain passes to cross, not as scary as Connors Pass south of Ely, but still not comfortable. Pretty, though, with snow on the hill sides and in the mountains.

Through the Mountains

I am grateful for the safe trip from Echo Canyon to Black Rock Road. Arriving at Black Rock, we set up almost exactly where we were last year. Earlier rains have been good for the creosote, but oh, for a tree!

Black Rock Road, Same Site as Last Year

There is, however, a perfect view of Pine Mountain from the window where I sit at the table.

View from the Window – Pine Mountain

Monday, November 7, 2022

I’m up at 7:30, which is nice as it gives me a little more quiet time to get myself centered for the day. It is not as dark and cold here this morning as it was in Nevada. We have enough internet/cell service here that I can also listen to Pandora and inspiring videos.

Today is a town day in St. George. It is good to get our propane tanks filled and then return to camp to put things away just in time to see a very dramatic sunset that I almost missed.

The Sunset I Almost Missed

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

The storm forecast yesterday was little more than a drizzle until late. Sometime after going to bed, the rain became a downpour, waking me up, and it was hard to get back to sleep. When I got up this morning, I had a little over an hour before an online Qigong class, giving me time to reread the chapter  “Law of Intention and Desire” from the The Steven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra, noting the difference between attention and intention and how they correlate for manifestation.

Thursday, November 10….

In rereading the journal entries and looking at photos taken during the balance of November, there are themes that emerge. One is that being camped with no trees offers lots of opportunity to be aware of the sky – sunrises, cloud formations, sunsets. Sometimes serene, sometimes very dramatic.

Dramatic Sunrise at Back Rock Road
A Serene Sunset at Black Rock
November Sunset at Black Rock
Setting Sun Turns the Mesa a Vivid Color

Another theme is my desire to have what I call QT (quiet time) to get myself centered before jumping into the activities of the day. I find this hard to accomplish, as getting up before Clifford means dealing with the cold and the dark and not making noise. Several mornings, the temperature is in the low 20’s outside and quite chilly inside. Sometimes staying in bed is the best option.

Chilly Night Means Snow on the Mountain

The third theme comes from reading the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, contemplating the difference between intention and attention and how these principles guide one’s life if allowed to do so.

I go for walks in the desert almost every day.

Teepee Rock
Cholla with Cougar (our RV) in the Background

Now and then we make a trip to St. George for supplies. Once in a while Clifford and David go bike riding on the bike trails on the outskirts of St. George. I am always invited to go, but sometimes just having time at camp by myself is the best option for me.

One one trip to St. George, we drive to where we can see Snow Canyon from the highway.  One day we will take time to go right down into the canyon.

Snow Canyon from the Highway

Clifford checks in with ham radio nets on a daily basis, and plays his dulcimer and sings – outside in the sunshine when the weather permits, which is actually quiet often. He is also doing interviews regarding his non-profit, as the work is quite significant.

Clifford Plays and Sings in the Sunshine

We keep very busy with all of our projects. Since there is decent internet via cell service at this location, I am able to work on blogs as well as participate in online classes that are of interest to me. It is a good thing we are retired, as we certainly don’t have time to run off to a job every day.

Coffee with David (Photo by David Wasden)
Journal Caption to End November

 

Echo Canyon Nevada State Park – October 2022

Landscape at Echo Canyon Nevada State Park

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Today Clifford and I move from Pioche, Nevada to Echo Canyon Nevada State Park, about 15 miles to the east of Pioche. I am mindful of Segment Intending and everything goes well – packing, hitching, driving, finding the perfect site, and getting set up. We find a really a nice spot with a couple of trees and a hill in front of us on the door and window side for privacy and views.

Our Site at Echo Canyon State Park

I hike a short way up the hill at sunset and have a good view of the surrounding area and the reservoir below.

Hike Up the Hill to View the Landscape
Echo Canyon Reservoir Below

From our campsite we get a glimpse of the reservoir, which I like. It looks like the weather will be very nice for us. Only one other party is here.

Wednesday October 26. The sun is behind the hill until 9 o’clock a.m.,  but I watch the light creep across the land until it finally rises right in the kitchen window. It is exciting to watch the approach of sunlight, and now it is time for coffee. Maybe I’ll sit outside if it’s warm enough in the sunshine. I am happy to be here. It’s a great day to be alive!

By afternoon it is warm enough for us to sit out for projects.

Warm Enough for Projects Outside

Thursday October 27.

It was 27° this morning at Echo Canyon and we very grateful for the heater that we got at Bretz. It is satisfying to again watch the sunlight move across the land, and soon it will be at our campsite. I call sunrise the daily miracle as it brings light and warmth to the cold and dark of winter.

Friday October 28.

We sleep in this morning due to it being a chilly 22° outside and only 33° inside.

Chilly Morning at Echo Canyon

It is still dark the first time I get up. After breakfast, it begins to warm up and we decide to go on a photo outing up the canyon, as it is a good day for photos with a clear blue sky, lovely autumn colors, and the great rugged mesas of Echo Canyon.

Photo Outing at Echo Canyon
Photo Outing at Echo Canyon
Photo Outing at Echo Canyon
Photo Outing at Echo Canyon

Saturday October 29.

This morning I was up a little before seven, which gives me time for inspirational reading and journaling, along with hot tea, followed by a Qigong routine. I feel gratitude watching daylight approach. Today is the sixth anniversary of Mom’s passing, and my brother is back in the hospital, even needing a mercy flight. My sister calls, concerned, as am I.  It is good to have family who care about each other.

Sunday October 30.

The last two clocks I have purchased don’t work, so I don’t know what time it is and I don’t want to get up in the dark. It’s hard to even make tea without waking Clifford, and it might be much too early for that. I hold the positive thought that I am going to enjoy this beautiful day. It is a great day to be alive and there is good stuff on the to-do list.

We decide to back up the canyon again, this time for a picnic along the creek.

Reflections on the Creek Flowing Through Echo Canyon
Reflections on the Creek Flowing Through Echo Canyon
Picnic at Echo Canyon Alongside the Creek

Friday November 4.  It has been an interesting few days, as Wednesday rain turned to sleet and then to snow. It was very pretty and there was more overnight.

Rain Turns to Sleet and Snow
Snow Begins to Stick at Echo Canyon Reservoir

I went walking both days and have a lot of photos to sort through.

The Beauty of Newly Fallen Snow
The Beauty of Newly Fallen Snow
Cougar in the Snow at Echo Canyon

Within a day, the snow melts, but the forecast is for more snow and much colder temperatures.

Snow Has Melted Already

Although we really like this campground and had intended to stay longer, the weather dictates otherwise and it is time for us to move on over the mountain to Arizona to meet up with a friend and find a less wintry spot to camp.

A Final Sunset at Echo Canyon Nevada State Park