Quiet Walk Photography – Blog – Page 2

May 10, 2022January 7, 2024

May Flowers in the Virgin River Gorge – May 2022

Spring has arrived at Black Rock Road in northwestern Arizona where Clifford and I are camped. The acres of creosote that surround us are now in full bloom, the tiny yellow blossoms like sunshine sprinkled across the landscape.

Warmer days encourage us to spend more time outdoors, including a picnic at Cedar Pockets, the campground in the Virgin River Gorge, about 10 miles to the south of our campsite.

View of the Virgin River Gorge from Cedar Pockets

Clifford takes his kalimba so he can accompany himself as he sings while I hike down to the river. The trail is narrow and steep in spots, but it feels good to be outside and to the see the mesas from the river bottom vantage point.

Clifford Playing and Singing with Kalimba at Cedar Pockets

I am not the only one enjoying the river. A cow and her calves splash across the river. When the twins see me, they stop to stare like I’m an alien, which I am to them. Then in mirror reflection of one another, their heads turn to watch the direction that big mom is taking. So fun to see them, as I play a silly game, called Cow Game, with a couple family members, and today I win Cow Game!

It is delightful to be near the river with views of the mesas all around, and the frosting on the cake is to find flowers – globe mallow and desert marigolds. Although Cedar Pockets is not so very far from Black Rock Road, it is a very different ecosystem.

While Black Rock Road vegetation is acres and acres of creosote, the gorge displays a greater variety of desert plants with Joshua trees and many types of cacti, including cholla and a blooming hedgehog cactus along the trail from the upper campground to the lower camping area where we are picnicking.

Hedgehog Cactus in Bloom Along the Trail

For weeks we have been talking about camping in northern Nevada on our way to Montana for the summer. We thought we would leave in April, but northern Nevada has been too cold and snowy, and now it is May and the place we thought we’d go — the Ruby Mountains — is still too cold and snowy. However, Montana is beckoning and it will soon be too warm here in Arizona anyway. So, we begin preparations to leave our winter home. Besides picking up our mail, we also take a day for errands with a picnic of sorts at the back of the laundromat, and Clifford brings the kalimba and sings. Who can resist a picnic and music? Not us, apparently. 🙂

Our friend David pulls out just a few days before our departure date. It’s been good having a friend as a neighbor for the winter. We wish him well and safe journeying. Very soon Clifford and I will also be saying good-bye to Black Rock Road. Although the Ruby Mountains and Ruby Valley are out of the question for us, still too cold and snowy there, we know other places are waiting to be explored.

April 30, 2022December 25, 2023

Blossoms in the Desert at Black Rock, Arizona – April 2022

Arizona Desert at Black Rock

As always here at Black Rock Road where Clifford and I are camped, the openness of the land allows for great views of sunrise and sunset.

Sun Rising Through Haze

Since the setting of the moon is not at an ideal time for the best light, I have fun with photo editing to capture the essence of the moment.

Moon Setting Over the Mesa

Although I am not seeing many wildflowers except for the tiny filaree and the yellow blossoms of Mormon Tea, I am enjoying making composites of the rosemary in the window and the branches of the creosote that surrounds us.

Filaree Closeup

BeCreative composite – Filaree

BeCreative Composite of Creosote and Rosemary

But one day, it happens to be Easter, while walking up the rise to the west, I spot a small clump of globe mallow, its tiny reddish-orange blossoms making a small splash of color in the desert. I am delighted and over the next few days, I visit them often, taking numerous photos, some of which are then used for greetings to family and friends and for new composites.

Globe Mallow at Black Rock

BeCreative Composite of Globe Mallow and Rosemary

BeCreative Composite of Globe Mallow and Dry Weeds

One of the best things that happened this month was my daughter, Becka, replacing my old phone with a brand new iphone, the 13pro. I am having so much fun taking photos with this amazing device!

Ladybug on a Desert Marigold

Clockweed at Black Rock

As the month goes on, Clifford and I both continue our projects, and we discuss our departure date. We had planned on leaving in April to travel to northern Nevada to camp for awhile before heading on to Montana. However, northern Nevada is cold and much snow remains in the area of our intended destination.

Toward the end of April, the morning inspirational reading is a passage from Thich Nhat Hanh on Aimlessness. “Your purpose is to be yourself. Be yourself. Life is precious as it is. All the elements for your happiness are already here. There is no need to run, strive, search, or struggle. Just be. Just being in the moment in this place is the deepest practice of meditation.” This wise advice so perfectly matches my quiet time in the mornings and my solitary walks in the desert.

Dried Weeds in the Wash

Happily, by the end of April, even though we are not yet leaving, both indigo bush and creosote bushes begin to bloom. I have never seen an indigo bush before, so the brilliant purple is a delight to me, while the tiny yellow blossoms of the creosote bring a blush of gold to the desert. Warmer days allow us to spend more time outdoors.

Indigo Bush at Black Rock

Indigo Bush Blossom

Creosote Blossoms at Black Rock

Creosote Blossom Closeup

Life is good and we will wait for the right time to leave Black Rock.

April 15, 2022December 11, 2023

Black Rock in Spring – April 2022

Our Nomad Cougar in the Black Rock Road Desert of Arizona

Here it is April, spring in the desert, windy, and Clifford and I are camped at Black Rock Road in northwest Arizona.

Clifford and Carol at Black Rock Road, Ariona

April 1^st, a great start to the month is the poem “Bones” by Mary Oliver, which I write out and add my comment for the day’s journal entry, as the poem speaks to me as I walkabout the desert.

I am on the lookout for wildflowers, but so far not many to be seen, except for one clump of desert marigold in the wash.

Desert Marigolds in the Wash

Morning quiet time is precious to me and sometimes I am up in time to catch the very moment of the rising sun before I make coffee and don warmer clothing for sitting outside.

Moment of Sunrise

As often as I can I sit outside surrounded by creosote with a view of Pine Mountain to the north and mesas all around as I enjoy the morning coffee and write in my journal.

Pine Mountain to the North

Our monthly trip to Littlefield to get our mail is a delightful trip through the Virgin River Gorge. Most people take this curving route through the gorge at interstate speed (I-10) not even aware of the magnificence they are rushing past.

Virgin River

Virgin River Gorge

We go on a couple of outings with our friend David. One trip is to a ranch out in the boonies west of St. George. We see views of the gorgeous red cliffs along the way and we have a good time exploring the ranch, which has come up as a possibility of a winter camping spot next year. It’s a bit remote for us, but not impossible.

Red Cliffs of Southwest Utah

David and Clifford at the Ranch in the Boonies

The next day we go to Colorado City, a small town on the border between Arizona and Utah, as there is a fresh water spring there that is worth the journey.

Cliffs at Colorado City, Arizona

Spring Water at Maxwell Park, Colorado City, Arizona

It is exceedingly scenic, both on the travel to the town, as well as swinging by Sand Hollow State Park on our way back to Black RockRoad. I do love outings for the scenic value, and I’m really glad to have such good water to drink.

Sand Hollow State Park, Utah

Shortly after these outings, my sister Nancy and her husband Dick come for a visit on their way back to Montana after visiting our brother Rollie and his wife Tata in southeast Arizona.

My Sister Nancy

It was a long haul for Nancy and Dick and I am very happy that they were willing to go out of their way to visit us. We don’t have many visitors all winter long, and while Clifford and David are great fellows, it sure is nice when I have another gal to talk to, especially a sister type gal. Nancy and I have coffee in the morning and go for long walks in the desert in the afternoons.

Carol and Nancy at Black Rock, Arizona

All too soon they head back to Montana. Good-bye until summer, but in the meantime, I will continue my meanderings, watching for the coming of wildflowers.

March 31, 2022December 1, 2023

Still at Black Rock, Arizona – March 2022

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.

Worm Moon setting over the mesa – BeCreative

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.

Setting Moon and Rosemary – BeCreative Composite

Sunflowers and Rosemary – BeCreative Composite

Rosemary and Autumn Shrub – BeCreative Composite

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.

Late Afternoon Light on the Nearest Mesa

January 30, 2022May 16, 2023

THE NEW YEAR – JANUARY 2022

It’s a relief to leave 2021 behind. For many people it was a year of changes, including health challenges and life style adjustments. This was often related to covid-19, but for us it was selling the CI lab/homebase in Monticello, Utah, and becoming full-time nomads, living in our 24-foot Cougar RV. Thanks to a friend, also a full-timer, we found Black Rock Road in northern Arizona in the late autumn of 2021. We began settling into into a lifestyle and routines, while not totally foreign, were different in that there was no longer a homebase.

Now it is January 2022. Clifford and I are busy with our projects and we especially enjoy sunny and calm days when we can work outside. Whenever possible, I sit outside with my morning coffee and my “stack:” books and journals that get my day started in an uplifted way. I make the daily intention of well-being, beauty, and harmony. Observing sunrises and sunsets, I find beauty and harmony, as well as on my frequent walks in the desert.

On my walkabouts, my favorite place to walk is in the wash with its ruggedness, as I make my way through boulders, gravel, sand, and vegetation.

Pine Mountain to the north of us is highlighted by morning and evening colors, but can stand alone as the impressive feature that it is, particularly with a fresh coat of snow. I never tire of gazing at it through our north-facing window.

I also begin employing Segment Intending, which means for each activity of the day, I make an intention of positive results, of seeing what I want to see. This helps with my walkabouts, finding beauty in the landscape that I might otherwise overlook.

Music continues to be a fun activity. Clifford and I play UK folk songs together almost daily, and he is expanding his singing repertoire with a selection of pop songs, bluegrass, country, celtic, and more.

I still edit for a couple of authors and I spend time editing and sharing photos most days, as well as writing blogs of our journeys. Domestic chores and errands are a part of our days, including trips through the scenic Virgin River Gorge on our way to Littlefield to pick up our mail.

We are grateful for quiet and privacy we enjoy here, as well as the scenic aspects of this spot of Arizona desert. It is a good place to spend the winter.

December 31, 2021April 6, 2023

Wrapping up the Year – December 2021

Clifford and I are dispersed camping in northwest Arizona at the invitation of a friend. Many days are sunny and warm enough for us spend time outside. It is always fun to sit out when Clifford is playing and singing. Inside or out, I enjoy a good cup of French Press coffee as I go through my “stack,” as I call my journals and inspirational reading material. I have gained insights that would have been helpful to have learned fifty years ago, but better late than never, as the saying goes. Valuable insights have led me on a path of greater happiness in just being where I am and appreciating being alive to enjoy the beauty that surrounds me.

I enjoy a good cup of French Press while writing in my journal

Even though I was dismayed to see no trees when we first arrived here, I have grown very fond of the creosote “forest” and the play of light on the mountains and mesas. With so much openness, I am always observing the sky, watching the variety of clouds and colors that come and go. Sunrise, sunset, and stormy days are most interesting.

Creosote “forest” at sunrise on a clear morning

Almost blocked by clouds, the sun makes an appearance on a cloudy morning

Some days the cloud progression is quite enchanting:

Mesa to northwest in early afternoon – December 24

Mesa to the northeast in late afternoon – December 24

Mesa to the south at sunset – December 24

Sunsets frequently put on a show:

Mesas to the northwest at sunset on Christmas Eve 2021

Sunset reflecting off snow on Pine Mountain to the north – December 26

I walk most days unless it is too windy. The wash is my favorite place to walk because of its ruggedness, boulders to gravel to sand, but some days I hike up the sides of the mesas that are not too far away.

Walking in the wash with a view of Pine Mountain to the north

When I hike up the mesa, photos taken from that vantage point reveal the vastness of the land. We are not hemmed in with buildings, utility poles, streets. It is a good place to be. I guess it helps that Clifford and I are introverts by nature and we appreciate the quiet and privacy we have here.

Our campsite with a snowy mountain to the west as the backdrop

Photos on my walks are shared with family and friends as well as posts to Facebook photo groups, which I find uplifting and worthwhile. There are many people who are seeing what is beautiful in the world and I am happy to contribute to this positive awareness.

We and our neighbor pick up trash that has been strewn about by people coming into the parking lot off the exit and trash left by some campers. Hopefully our actions will prompt others to be more mindful of the importance of caring for our environment.

Clifford: Behind the scenes, Clifford’s non-profit is becoming more active with plans to get the website updated and active again. Sewing is a handy skill that he employs as often as need be. Sometimes we hike together and occasionally he goes on longer exploratory hikes by himself. Always, his ham radio is a commitment he takes seriously. And music, music, music – a new life direction that had been put on hold during the years of active research.

Mid December brings much colder temperatures and late December is a time of celebration with the winter solstice, our anniversary, and Christmas.

The last day of the year, a rainbow appears over Cougar.

A single ray of light from the setting sun on December 31, 2021 brings a glow to the mesa to the northeast.

And thus we wrap up 2021!

November 30, 2021February 19, 2023

Life on Black Rock Road – November 2021 – Part 3

In mid-November Clifford and I make another trip from our camp on Black Rock Road through the Virgin River Gorge on our way to Littlefield to pick up our mail. Again, I am amazed at the geology of this 10-mile stretch through the gorge. There were some very dramatic earth changes that took place here eons ago.

A formation in the gorge that reminds me of a castle

Less dramatic are photos taken on the walks to the nearby mesas and in the wash, although I am quite thrilled to find a flower blooming in the wash on one of my walks. When we camped in the desert at Quartsite, flowers bloomed all during the winter months. Apparently that is not the case here and seeing a flower is a big deal.

Walking mindfully, noticing the sand ripples

Clifford starts a different blog site for me (since my wordpress site doesn’t seem to work anymore), so I am able to do blogs again. I am months behind but happy to be at it again. Editing for a couple of authors continues.

Besides ham radio every day, Clifford spends a significant amount of time increasing this dulcimer playing skills, and he has been singing and recording some of the songs he has worked on. A new addition to the music scene is the tongue drum.

Even though he does not have the equipment or space here in Cougar to pursue an interest in researching aspects of covid that might tie in with his earlier CI work, his inquiring mind is always active. Never a dull moment in his busy brain.

We are still cat-sitting Ravyn and she makes herself at home.

Although there have been some very chilly nights, the daytime temperatures have allowed us to spend time outdoors and for that, we are grateful.

Since there are no trees to obscure the views, watching the sky, the clouds, and the rising and setting of the sun is what I do. The variety is quite mesmerizing.

A colorful November sunrise on Black Rock Road

The east mesa creates a vibrant slash of color across the horizon at the setting of the sun while ambient clouds subtly reflect the dusky rose color.

November 15, 2021January 18, 2023

Virgin River Gorge – November 2021-Part 2

Clifford and I appreciate the views, as well as the peace and quiet from our campsite on Black Rock Road.

Appreciating a good cup of coffee and views from the window

In early November, we decide to go to Mesquite, Nevada, just for an outing. The drive though the Virgin River Gorge is quite stunning on this beautiful blue-sky day.

Building an interstate highway through the gorge was an engineering feat. It is the kind of highway where one should mosey, but no, most people travel at breathing-taking speeds, totally missing the breath-taking views.

November 7th is a special day of gratitude as I sit out with a perfect cup of coffee after a short hike with Clifford. Today marks one year from the stroke. I am well, I can hike, I can read and write. I can talk to my kids — I feel very fortunate and very blessed.

Most days I go walking. I could probably walk for miles and not get lost here. As it is, I try to vary my route a bit every day to see what I can see. One day, I find the wash, which obviously is subject to flash floods when there is enough rain. The vegetation here is more varied; boulders, gravel, and sand form an interesting rugged pathway across the desert basin. It is my favorite place to walk.

Clifford and I go for short walks together now and then, but often I walk alone.

Cougar in the distance as seen from a late afternoon walk

November 10, 2021January 7, 2023

Black Rock, Arizona – November 2021 – Part 1

David and Carnicoms on Black Rock Road – Looking southwest

At the end of October, after several days of travel with good camping spots every night, Clifford and I arrive at Black Rock Road in the very northwest corner of Arizona, about six miles south of St. George, Utah. It was only by chance that our friend David called to see if we were still in Montana (guess he saw my photo of the snow at Beaver, Utah, posted just a couple of days ago on FB). As it turns out, the campground we were headed to is closed, so he invites us to camp next to him on Black Rock Road.

Our spot in the northwest Arizona desert

There are acres and acres of creosote, alive and green, but not a single tree. In all directions we have desert views of mountains and mesas, no buildings, no power lines, which is a real plus, but no trees.

After we get set up, I walk to David’s RV, about 300 feet further along the road and meet Ravyn, David’s sleek black cat. He has to leave tomorrow and has asked if I will feed her while he is gone. Ravyn and I immediately become friends.

A routine is soon established: I walk to David’s RV in the mornings to feed Ravyn while Clifford is on the ham radio. Then I sit out with tea and write in my journal.

Sitting out with morning coffee and journal

After breakfast, we proceed with our projects, appreciating this quiet and private place close to nature. I try imagining that the creosote is a vast forest and I am a giant towering over my trees. It’s an image I enjoy; the only thing lacking is shade.

Although we can’t see it from here, I-10 is not far away, so cell service is decent. This means we can work on projects that require the internet. Clifford always has a list of projects. Having the space to put out antennas for his ham radios is at the top of his list.

We also enjoy being able to play music via zoom with our folk song group from the UK.

Ravyn comes to our place during the day and finds the fiddle case to be a perfect napping spot.

There is an open-ness to being here, but I also have a less definite sense of purpose. Maybe that’s okay after all the moving since leaving Montana, and purpose will define itself more clearly over time. I am grateful for the words of Thich Nhat Hanh, “Breathing in, I am happy to be alive; breathing out, I smile at my world.” I am grateful for the desert with its quiet privacy, the views, hot yerba matte, colorful pens, and pretty journals. This is a good place us, at least for the time being.

Grateful for hot tea and pretty journals

October 27, 2021November 26, 2022

Montana to Black Rock – October 2021

Autumn colors in the Bitterroot Valley of western Montana

After the trip to Wallace with my sister Nancy, the next few days are spent reorganizing Suburban and Cougar in preparation for leaving Montana. Clifford and I want to be on our way before the weather turns colder than it has been. The autumn colors are at their best in the nearby woods. Nancy and I walk to the side channel of the Bitterroot River one more time.

Thursday, October 21, Clifford and I finish packing and leave Florence a little after noon. The autumn colors along the Clark Fork River are quite striking as we head east from Missoula toward Butte.

Although we usually stop at the rest area south of Butte on I-15 or at Divide Bridge Campground, this time we push on through to the rest area at Dubois, Idaho, arriving at sunset, 284 miles, a very long day for us.

The next day is windier, so not as easy driving, and we stop at the Devil’s Creek RV park in southern Idaho around 3:00. We set up on the far end of the reservoir rather than in one of the RV sites. I have time to post photos to the RV Bunch on FB, play fiddle, and make dinner before heading to bed. A good productive day despite the hours on the road.

Drizzle and rain in the night and the misty morning provide some photo opportunities for me.

Misty morning at Devil’s Creek Reservoir

We take time to repair the rear view camera and leave Devil’s Creek about 2:00 in the afternoon.

Construction as we approach Salt Lake City slows us down, but we arrive at the Perry, Utah, Walmart about 4:00 and are happy to get a spot along the median with grass and a tree.

The next morning is Sunday, October 24. We always plan our drive through SLC on Sunday so there isn’t as much traffic. We are up early enough to do a bit more shopping and leave by 10:00, but we are disappointed that the rear view camera is still not working despite our working on it. Driving through SLC is taxing enough, but doing it without a camera makes it even worse. As we drive through Salt Lake City, we feel the wind starting to pick up.

By time we get to Beaver, 200 miles to the south on I-15, we pull off and find a place to park in a trashy dirt lot behind the Flying J. It is very windy now and we are both glad to be off the highway and parked for the night.

Monday is much too windy for travel and despite putting down the stabilizers, which we don’t usually do for an overnight stop, we are rocking and rolling in the wind all day. We bundle up against the wind and walk to nearby Denny’s for a meal. We keep busy the rest of the day with our various projects.

Working on projects on a windy day in Beaver, Utah

Our friend David calls to see if we are still in Montana. He informs us that the campground in the Virgin River Gorge where we had planned to go, which also happens to be where we met him several years ago, is closed. That is disappointing to us, but David encourages us to go to Black Rock Road and camp there near where he is set up.

When I open the door the next morning, I am surprised and delighted to see a landscape covered with snow. Trash has disappeared under white fluffiness.

As the sky clears, snow on the nearby mountains is quite scenic.

We are not traveling today, waiting for the roads over mountain passes to clear. Cell service is good here, so both Clifford and I work on our projects, mostly editing for me, and for Clifford, whatever he has going on.

By Wednesday, the 27^th, the snow is mostly gone and the highways are clear, so we leave Beaver and head south through St. George, and cross the border into Arizona.

With David’s directions, we find our way to the spot he has suggested for us on Black Rock Road. There are desert views in every direction and gently rising hills in this valley basin, sloping down to a wash and upward to nearby mesas, but not a single tree. The acres and acres of creosote are green and alive, but without trees, it feels kind of exposed and barren to me.

I appreciate the views, and how peaceful and private it is here, but coming from the mountains, trees, and rivers of Montana, Black Rock will take some getting used to for this Mountain Girl.