Tag: BLM

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.

Wednesday, March 1, 2023 is overcast and rainy this morning, 38 degrees, in northwest Arizona where Clifford and I are camped on Black Rock Road.

I am midway through the online Qigong Global Summit. Very interesting information and helpful for my personal Qigong practice. I learned the Crane Walk Qigong  routine and I’m looking forward to having space where I can do it without running into things. Outside when it is warmer will be good. Cougar (our RV) is just a bit too small for Qigong.

There is still a good coat of snow both on Pine Mountain to the north and the closer mountain to the west.

The snow here at Black Rock Road has melted and left puddles. Rather unusual for this normally arid desert land.

Friday, March 3 is a chilly morning at 27 degrees, but the day is mostly sunny and it warms to 54. Despite the breeze, Clifford goes on a bike ride to the east. He sure does enjoy his bicycle outings. I prefer to stay indoors today. I do some editing for a couple of authors I know and play my fiddle, working on Jerusalem Ridge. Meals take time, but I am grateful to have food, especially as I read about people snowed in in California who have run out of food. I’m trying to eat slower and more thoughtfully.

Monday, March 6, 2023. I am up in time for sunrise photo and then a walk to the mesa to the east, gathering a bag of creosote for the concoction that Clifford is preparing.

I pause here and there to take photos of filaree, small purple flowers no bigger than my pinkie nail, which grow as ground cover among the creosote bushes. The foliage as it ages turns rich shades of orange and red. Striking, but easily missed unless one is mindfully walking in the desert.

Tuesday, March 7. I was up before sunrise even though I went to bed late. I thought there might be nice sunrise color, but there was none at all. It’s only a tad warmer today and I mostly work on indoor projects, but I go for a walk and find the globe mallow that will bloom later this spring.

My intention is for a day of well-being, mindfulness, effective and efficient use of time and energy, peace and harmony. Clifford goes on a longer bike ride today.

Friday, March 10. It is warmer this morning at 47 degrees, overcast, and there is a bit of rain in the evening. The word from family is more snow in Montana and the news is more flooding in California.

Saturday, March 11. I enjoy walking in the rain this morning, appreciating that the temperatures are moderating.

Sunday March 12. LeeAnn, a nearby camp neighbor, and I go to Cedar Pockets, the rest area/campground in the Virgin River Gorge, about 10 miles from where we are camped on Black Rock Road. It is very enjoyable spending time with her as we hike the scenic trail above the river from the lower rest area to the upper campground.  When Clifford and I are traveling and camping, I don’t meet many women and seldom have the opportunity for hiking or hanging out with other women. I really appreciate the time LeeAnn and I have together.

Monday March 13. Today is warm and dry enough that we are able to play music outside. Clifford and I often do UK  fiddle tunes together, outside when the weather permits,  inside when it’s rainy or windy.

Tuesday and Wednesday March 14 and 15 are rainy days from drizzle to heavy, and we collect about 80 gallons of rainwater in big double trash bags. It helps to not have to go to St. George for water for dishes and showers. More snow and rain in California equals more flooding there. It is an especially challenging time for rural folks.

My indoor projects on these rainy days include journaling and working on December 2021 blogs.  Clifford has ham radio and is always studying something. We are never bored, even though we might like to find weather suitable for being outside.

Thursday March 16 our friend Lori comes out to see us. She and I go for a walk to meet our friend David, and further down the road, LeeAnn and her husband Rick. It was fun visiting with all of our nomad neighbors. Later, Lori and I hike to the top of the mesa that I call Teepee Rock due to the pointed upcrop outline.  It’s a long hike for me, but what a view from there!