Sunday, March 06, 2016

WE WILL SOON BE GONE FROM THIS LAND OF LEGEND & LORE

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VULTURE PEAK

A textured layer of clouds interspersed with rolling patches of sunlight today made for some nice diffused lighting situations which is always conducive to softer pastel like photos.  No harsh shadows or bright spots to contend with.

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WE EVENTUALLY ENDED UP AT THAT KNOBBY PEAK ON THE HORIZON TO THE RIGHT

We were low on milk this morning so that meant Pheebs & I were on a mission to Wickenburg’s Safeway store.  Yabba-dabba-do any excuse will do.  Picked up a package of almond & poppy seed muffins plus a small Charbuck’s coffee to go & we were off out Vulture Peak Road heading West.

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JUST ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE SUPER NICE MORNNGS TO BE OUTSIDE

No idea where we were exactly going of course but we did peel off onto a sandy Jeep road east of Vulture Peak & headed south about a mile. 

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VULTURE PEAK LOOMS ON THE HORIZON

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MAKING OUR WAY ALONG A NARROW ROCKY ROAD

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CONGRESS IS WAY BACK THERE ON THE HORIZON TO THE FAR LEFT

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PHEEBS LOOKS BACK ALONG THE ROAD WE HAD JUST WALKED

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MORNING’S LIGHT HAD A SOFT PASTEL CAST TO IT

Road got a little rocky so we bailed out & took ourselves for a walk.  A beautiful cool morning as we stood on a high vantage point surrounded by tall long armed Saguaros, budding Palo Verde trees, a variety of Chollas & a palette of greens stretching out ahead making their way to & climbing up the tall cliff sides of Vulture Peak. 

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We watched long bands of gentle sunlight lazily drifting across the landscape towards us feeling their warmth as we stood quietly transfixed in the moment of their passing.  A hawk circled silently nearby with the only sound in the air being the sharp raspy call of a Raven somewhere close but out of sight.  I stood thinking we will soon be gone from this magical land of mythical legend & I felt a sadness.

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TRAVELING RIBBONS OF SUNLIGHT SLOWLY TUMBLE ACROSS A DESERT LANDSCAPE SOON TO ALIGHT & WARM OUR VERY BEINGS

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IT WAS JUST ONE OF THOSE SPECIAL FEELING MORNINGS

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Walking slowly back to the Jeep I was filled with many thoughts.  Some old, some new, but they were all good thoughts touched with a bit of longing, some apprehension, & a twinge of excitement. DSC_7921

PHEEBE STOPS TO SEE IF I’M STILL COMING AS SHE LEADS THE WAY BACK TO THE jEEP

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IN THIS PHOTO I SEE THE HUGE ROCK HEAD, SMALL FACE, & LARGE SHOULDERS OF A GENTILE GORILLA PEERING SLIGHTLY MY WAY….LOOK CLOSELY & YOU WILL SEE IT TOO

Pheebs & I bumped our way back along Vulture Peak road out to Vulture Mine road & headed further South stopping for a few photos here & there & also checking out a couple more Jeep trails that didn’t really lead anywhere drivable for us.  A few drops of rain on the windshield surprised me but they were only a few drops & hardly worth turning the wipers on.

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CAME ACROSS A COWBOY CORRAL WITH SOME CATTLE PRESENT

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A GROVE OF TREES OUTSIDE THE CORRAL BLOCKED THIS GAL’S VIEW BUT I COULD SEE SHE HAD ON HER SUNDAY BEST WHITE SOCKS THIS MORNING

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OH HOW LOVELY IT IS FOR ALL WE NORTHERNERS TO SEE ALL THIS GREEN

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About 11:15 we swung Libby’s nose in the direction of home & made our way back down Vulture Mine Road to Wickenburg.  Twenty minutes later we were home with 2 cameras carrying another whole host of pleasant Southwest memories.  I just can’t think of a much better way to spend a relaxing Sunday morning than with me & the Pheebs out for a scenic drive in the lap of Mother Nature.  How lucky I am after all these sometimes turbulent years to end up with these few enjoyable hobbies I now have in my life.  And how nice to be able to continue these pastimes in reasonably good health day after day.  How lucky I am indeed……………….

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GROANER’S CORNER:((  A little guy gets on a plane and sits next to the window. A few minutes later, a big, heavy, strong mean-looking, hulking guy plops down in the seat next to him and immediately falls asleep.  The little guy starts to feel a little airsick, but he's afraid to wake the big guy up to ask if he can go to the bathroom. He knows he can't climb over him, and so the little guy is sitting there, looking at the big guy, trying to decide what to do.  Suddenly, the plane hits an air pocket and an uncontrollable wave of nausea passes through the little guy. He can't hold it in any longer and he pukes all over the big guy's chest.  About five minutes later the big guy wakes up, looks down, and sees the vomit all over him.  "So," says the little guy, "are you feeling better now?"

19 comments:

  1. We felt that sadness on Friday as we packed up and headed east.

    Glad you can put into words the feelings, the emotions, of leaving this huge old wild west.

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  2. Going for a drive and a walk always seems to put your spirits in order.

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  3. Great post and lovely pictures...... Felt like I was there...... Thank you!

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  4. The little guy is always the smarter one. And I can relate to this feel of sadness when it becomes apparent that it is leaving time. Felt that every time we had sold a property where we have been happy.

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  5. We heading back there this friday to grab our house and make a slow journey back to Ontario. Enjoy your time there.

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  6. Very nice blog Al. Daylight was just right for natural unwashed color and hue. Great pic of the Golden Eagle too. Even Pheebs appears to sense a near-departing time. :-(

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  7. Love the hawk and cattle photos today Al!

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  8. You do have a talent for taking great photos.

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  9. such a great post, love the pictures of the hawk/eagle. We feel the same sadness about leaving, I guess as we get closer to home we will be excited.

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  10. Beautiful photos. Love the new header.

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  11. Beautiful photos. Love the new header.

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  12. Having the place and space to let our minds wander and absorb is such a blessing. Keeps us healthy I believe. The hawk is truly magnificent. Love the white socks :-)

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  13. I like the new header too. And I especially loved the soft gray cow/steer whatever it was with the beautiful face and horns. The Sonoran desert is so green and beautiful with the rains. I heard you inner voice talking to yourself saying, "Be Grateful". It came through loud and clear. Good luck with all of it, Al!

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  14. Beautiful redtail hawk photo. You know it will all be there waiting for you when you come back again.

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  15. I always have mixed feelings about heading toward Illinois..I miss my kids and grands, friends and such..But I sure enjoy being in the warmer weather for the Winters, and wish we could do more traveling in our Hiker in the Summer and Fall..Love your new header too!

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  16. Beautiful pictures especially like the ones of the hawk.

    Celebrating the Dance

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  17. May sound strange but I love your pics and how you write, not only visual,poetry but actual music in writings. Beautiful music. You two are Canadians but I sense you belong all over

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  18. Two beautiful Hawks ready to go home!

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