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Saturday, April 4, 2015

The Desert Life - Now and Long Ago

Yesterday, I told you about camping inside the walls of a deep canyon. As soon as we could, we moved to a nearby site that was much sunnier! This photo sums up what I love about the west. If you want to get away from it all in a spectacular setting, it's still possible. We completely relaxed in this warm and quiet site.
Some of the canyons and land around us were designated as "Wilderness Study Areas" so bikes were not allowed in them. However, I found an awesome high trail that was free of those restrictions. Parts of it were open to ATVs but it was mostly deserted.
Each day, I'd start with a morning ride with my sweet chocolate girl on that trail.
A great thing, for Shyla's sake, was that this trail was mostly sandy so she didn't have to wear boots. The rocky sculptures all around us were gorgeous.
Along the trail, there were the remnants of a miner's cabin.
In front of the cabin, a child's tricycle frame sat. It caught my imagination, thinking about a family living out in these harsh conditions, probably 75 years ago or so. And, in the midst of it, a toddler pedaled a tricycle around the cabin.
I wondered where they got the tricycle, back in those days of much more limited commerce than now.
And, I wondered if the child is still alive. He or she would be elderly by now.

It's amazing how visiting a new place can inspire me to think. I bet those miners saw many incredible skies like we saw while we visited. However, I wonder if the hardships of their lives made the beauty less intense than it was for us.
Happy Saturday. I love my home in the mountains but I already miss the desert.
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18 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlApril 4, 2015 at 5:54 PM

    the trike frame is a neat find! great surroundings.

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  2. LindaApril 4, 2015 at 6:17 PM

    If that bicycle could talk.Oh the stories it would tell..
    Your Photos are almost like standing there with you. You make them come alive for the viewer, with narration and descriptions. Naturally Shyla is
    both a mountain / Desert girl.
    xo Cinnamon

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  3. NCmountainwomanApril 4, 2015 at 7:07 PM

    What an awesome place. Imagine standing where the miner lived a hard life. And a child rode a tricycle so long ago.

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  4. zoepheedogsApril 4, 2015 at 7:12 PM

    Oh wow! That miner's cabin and tricycle are so neat! Also, I love the shots of the sky! Shyla sure looks happy in the desert sunlight!

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  5. Nancy JApril 4, 2015 at 8:19 PM

    What a memory, and maybe the rider is still somewhere, beautiful deserted place to camp, and Shyla in her element, no boots, softer trails, and you by her side. Happiness in millions, for you both.

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  6. The Adventures of the LLB GangApril 4, 2015 at 9:35 PM

    What a beautiful setting to relax and enjoy nature!

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  7. Tweedles -- that's meApril 4, 2015 at 9:46 PM

    We can feel it KB,, all the beauty!!!
    The sky,, the cliffs,, the tricycle.
    And we wonder too,, all the things your wondering about.
    love
    tweedles

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  8. bichonpawzApril 5, 2015 at 1:08 AM

    You find the coolest treasures!!

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  9. Bella Roxy & MacduiApril 5, 2015 at 2:01 AM

    It's wonderful to be able to immerse yourselves in that spectacular beauty.

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  10. Jo's WorldApril 5, 2015 at 2:20 AM

    When I see a deserted place like this, my mind creates a story for me and it rarely has a good ending. It would be interesting to talk to a good antiquer and find the age of the trike, and go on from there!

    Thanks for the memory to play with!

    Jo

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  11. DukeApril 5, 2015 at 3:47 AM

    How neat to come upon the cabin and the trike!

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  12. easyweimaranerApril 5, 2015 at 5:24 AM

    I love this mountains too, we tried to discover different things like a face or an animal in your photos of the rocks, many thanks for sharing your wonderful world with me :o)
    Happy Easter
    easy rider

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  13. Brian's Home BlogApril 5, 2015 at 7:31 AM

    Oh yea, the stories that trike could tell!

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  14. Yamini MacLeanApril 5, 2015 at 7:40 AM

    Hari OM
    Have been thoroughly enjoying your desert posts this week... Blessings to you and the 'furmily'... hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  15. Mary HoneApril 5, 2015 at 8:32 AM

    Don't you just love finding these old places?! Ugh...I so miss the desert and the wide open spaces. I'm feeling so boxed in right now.

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  16. Carola BartzApril 5, 2015 at 11:53 AM

    This is exactly what I love about the desert - the incredible colors, the solitude, the quietness, the amazing nature. That sky photo is wonderful. You can spin many stories about that cabin and the tricycle.
    How lovely to see and experience all this together with Shyla.

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  17. MurphyApril 5, 2015 at 12:44 PM

    Love that last photo! Of course we love the red rock too. It reminds us of when our ancient Goldendoodle ancestors ran wild! Happy Easter!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  18. LetterstoAndrewApril 6, 2015 at 11:10 AM

    The photos are all amazing. I often wonder about the people many years ago and the hardships they endured settling this land.

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