Nearly a week has passed since my return from the West. I revisited in my mind our hike to the site of the old silver mine, the abandoned Stockton Hills Mine. “Stockton the liveliest mining camp in Mohave county” is written in the old records of the area. The mines played out, as did…
The second day has passed after concluding two weeks of adventure out west. I was introduced to a few of the individuals who have a enduring love for carved carousel animals, some collectors, others conservators and painters, and a master class carver. The hospitality will be long remembered. I was invited to studios, where…
“But, friend, when you know certain things: these things lead to dispassion not to passion; to detachment not to bondage; to diminution not to accumulation; to having few wishes, not to having many wishes; to contentment not to discontent; to seclusion not to gregariousness; to the arousing of energy, not to indolence; to frugality…
I hope that you have opportunity to visit the Joshua Tree National Park, where the Mojave and the Colorado deserts meet. We walked the trails there for three hours taking many pictures, viewing only a sliver of the park. I cannot describe for you the effect of the experience of this desert environment upon…
I had time to think. Our adventure in the west continued today with the drive from Kingman Arizona to the town of 29 Palms on the edge of the Mojave Desert. The Mojave Desert is a desolate place. The two lane road was busy in both directions. There were commercial tractor trailers, and many…
Only experience suffices to allow understanding. And if you are fortunate, have someone to guide you, point out the manner in which “things work,” — there is a chance to learn without injury. The desert is austere, an unforgiving place. The scarcity of water means that life is precarious, the margin of survival is…
The journey continues. We’ve passed though much desert, and some high country with tall lodge pole pine trees. We are now in Kingman, Arizona. This is our third stop, visiting with individuals who have a long term interest, fascination with carousels, with the artistry and history of carousel animals. My host and guide, for…
I was told that it is windy in New Mexico this time of year. For someone that lives in the Midwest, eighty degrees with a stiff, dry wind, is a hot day in April… On the way to Albuquerque New Mexico we glimpsed an abandoned structure, a wrecked shell, with a small parking lot…
I am the last person to mention Holy Week. Holy Week is the commemoration of the apogee of the Christian mythos: Jesus’ triumphant arrival in Jerusalem, and events that follow. Think of the hoopla surrounding the winner of ‘American Idol.’ As consequence of the word of mouth rumor of his outlandish teaching (love your…
Yesterday was a good day. Choosing to revisit the Dick Young Forest Preserve in Batavia, when I arrived my vehicle was the the only one in the parking lot. Following the path to Nelson Lake Marsh I grew comfortable with the solitude. My company was the wind, the brown vegetation, and tender new growth invisibly…
