Friday March 17, 2023, is a beautiful blue-sky day with a few small cumulus clouds in northwest Arizona where Clifford and I are camped on public land. An afternoon hike at Cedar pockets is in the plans for our friend Lori and me, the same trail that I hiked with LeeAnn just last week. How special it is for me to share time with another woman friend. Being later in the afternoon, the lighting is different than the previous hike, with the Virgin River almost in shadows while the ruggedness of the mesa across the river is still highlighted.
Today the Joshua trees are in full bloom in a way I’ve never seen before. It is quite the delight to see them and I take lots of photos, of course.
Saturday, March 18, is a busy day with the usual domestic tasks, editing, and playing music with Clifford. In the evening, an odd thing happens. We are camped on a narrow dirt road far from any other campers except for our friends David, Rick and LeeAnn. They are the only people beyond us on this road, which gets rocky and peters out after crossing the wash. Occasional ATVs go by, but for the most part, the road is unused beyond where Rick and LeeAnn are parked. Shortly after dark, a couple big trucks — a cattle truck and a large enclosed delivery truck come down that road. They hesitate at the wash crossing, but eventually barrel on across and disappear over the hill on the hint of the rocky rutted road. Clifford calls the sheriff to report them, as there is absolutely no reason for trucks that size to be here. We are guessing that the trucks are carrying illegals trying to cross the desert at night to avoid the weigh station between Black Rock Road exit and St. George. There is a way to get across this section of desert, but very hard to figure out in the dark, and the way is certainly not our narrow dirt road.
Sunday, March 19, is rainy off and on all day, and as I walk over to Rick and LeeAnn’s camp to have coffee with them, I notice the cloud formations over the entrance to the Virgin River Gorge, which can just barely be seen from our campsite.
Monday, March 20, I have morning tea with Lori, who is camped near us, and we do a special 30-minute loving kindness meditation. I like that the meditation ends with the same words that end the tai chi class that I do most days, a blessing for all beings to be healthy, happy, and free from suffering. There is a steady rain in the afternoon, sometimes with strong gusts and dramatic clouds.
Tuesday, March 21. Rain most of the day, but I go for a walk to the wash despite the low 50’s temperature. The black rocks in the wash are shiny with the rain, and I am treated to a beautiful rainbow. Rain in the desert is so very important, which makes the rainbows an especially good sign.
Wednesday, March 22. Although it is a tad warmer today, up to 56 degrees, the wind is still chilly. I start the day with an intention to see beauty and harmony everywhere, which is what I see as I walk, noticing the mix of cumulus clouds and blue sky overhead.
When I return from the walk, I have morning tea with Lori, and in the evening she makes dinner for all of us in our kitchen, as her space is much too small for a group meal. It is always delightful to enjoy a meal that someone else has cooked.
I am looking forward to another outing that has been planned with Lori and LeeAnn. It is delightful to have this time with these two special women, interesting and hardy souls who appreciate the connection to nature just as I do.