FOUND SOME INDIAN MORTEROS & A GRAVE SITE TODAY

THREE INDIAN MORTERO GRINDING HOLES

To answer Thom’s comment in yesterday’s blog about unhooking water on cold night’s.  We have a plastic quick disconnect on the rig so I always turn off the water at the ground tap & then disconnect the hose at the rig because those plastic parts will freeze & break pretty quick.  We always have water in our fresh water tank & just switch over to that each night until the sun thaws out the water hose next morning.  Tap on, re-connect & away we go for another day:))

 

HEADING OUT THIS MORNING FOR THAT BARE BUNCH OF ROCKS JUST OVER THE MOTOR HOME IN THE BACKGROUND

The blog reader folks over near Sierra Vista found these last few night’s too cold for their liking so have high tailed it over to Quartzsite Az.  We might meet then in Borrego Springs, California sometime later in the season.

 

FOUND THIS GRAVESITE IN THE MOUNTAINS TODAY

Decided to return to the little canyon in the Swisshelm Mountains just a few miles from us to the east.  We had driven up there last week but ran into a couple of hunters so didn’t hang around.  This morning we luckily found where the road continues even further towards the base of the mountain.  We had missed that last time.

 

WE’RE GONNA HEAD FOR THAT ROCK FACE

What a great test for the Jeep these roads are & I must say I am so pleased with the way that little Jeep handles itself.  It has been a great teacher & has already taught me some new driving techniques.  I have learned not to bother with the clutch & brake on really rough terrain & just the let the Jeep handle itself in 4 wheel drive 1rst gear.  No need to lay on much gas going up & over ditches, creek beds or wash outs & same thing with not touching the brakes coming down sloping areas.  The sure footed little Mountain Goat just drives itself steadily along.  Guess it’s like easing up on the reins of a horse & letting it have it’s head to lead the way.  Same thing with the Jeep.  Ease off the gas, brakes & clutch & let it have it’s head.  Only thing for me to do is steer with my left hand & take pics with my right:))

KELLY SCOUTS THE ROAD AHEAD

We would not have seen any of the rugged territory we saw today if we had not had a 4 wheel drive vehicle…..& especially a Jeep.  I can’t even begin to tell you how pleased I am with the darned little boxy looking thing.  Definitely one of my favorite vehicles of all time.  Me & that Jeep are big buddies for sure……10-4!!

The area we were hiking today is prime rattlesnake territory & even though they are supposed to all be underground now in hibernation, you just never know.  My eyes are always scanning the ground ahead of where we are walking & my ears are always on high alert for any kinds of sounds in the grass or rocks around us.  I would not be comfortable walking in this area during the summer when the snakes are out for sure!!

After clambering around a large bouldered area of the Swiss Helms we came across what we think are Indian Morteros.  We have seen these before in the Southwest.  They are grinding holes.  Stones were used to grind various seeds to pulp & after a time these grinding stones wore round holes into the rock.  Seeds could be dumped in the hole & then ground with a stone.  As you look at the round holes in the photos let your imagination take you back hundreds of years to a time when tribal Indians roamed these very lands across Prairies, Valleys & Mountains.  Indian Villages would be located very close to these Morteros because this is where the woman would spend endless hours each day grinding the corn meal to powder.  As you look at these photos just envision the Indian women sitting there on these rocks working away with their grinding stones.

KELLY FINDS THE FIRST MORTERO’S ATOP THIS FLAT ROCK TO THE RIGHT OF CENTER

 

LARGE BOULDER IN THE CLEARING CONTAINED THE FOLLOWING MORTEROS

  

What fascinating lands these are & what fascinating periods of history we sometimes stumble across.  Just another great day spent outdoors hiking & exploring the wonders & magic of Mother Nature.  For me, it just doesn’t get much better than spending quality time in these beautiful & natural surroundings of the great American Southwest.

THAT’S THE SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY WAY OUT THERE WITH THE MULE MOUNTAINS ON THE LEFT & THE BEGINNING OF THE DRAGOON MOUNTAINS ON THE RIGHT

Just noticed Merri & Steve from OUR COFFEE CAFÉ have joined us on our travels as blog supporters.  Welcome aboard folks.  I had a look at Merri & Steve’s site & I think some of you ‘Foody Folks are going to like their blog.  Grab your appetite & head on over to say ‘Howdy:))’

We’re off to the Vet again in the morning with the Motormouse.  She would be a little embarrassed about her problem & probably wouldn’t want me to mention it in the blog.   She’s asleep beside me right now & maybe I can sneak in the reason before she wakes up, climbs on my lap & has a look to see what I’m writing about today.  Motor has developed a sometimes common problem with certain dogs & it’s called an anal sack.  It is a small swelling near her rear end.  Not life threatening but something that has to be attended to.  She doesn’t even know she has it & we sure as heck haven’t told her about it either.  She thinks she’s going to the Vet for a relaxing Pedicure & a handful of doggy treats.  Well, she still may get the treats alright but the ‘handful’ may end up having a very different meaning for her.  I will let you all know tomorrow night what it was all about.

PARKED THE JEEP & WALKED UP THE PATH

SPOTTED OUR RIG ABOUT 3 MILES AWAY OUT IN THE VALLEY BELOW…

GROANER’S CORNER:((   There was an old man sitting on his porch watching the rain fall. Pretty soon the water was coming over the porch and into the house.
The old man was still sitting there when a rescue boat came and the people on board said, "You can't stay here you have to come with us."
The old man replied, "No, God will save me." So the boat left. A little while later the water was up to the second floor, and another rescue boat came, and again told the old man he had to come with them.
The old man again replied, "God will save me." So the boat left him again.
An hour later the water was up to the roof and a third rescue boat approached the old man, and tried to get him to come with them.
Again the old man refused to leave stating that, "God will save him." So the boat left him again.
Soon after, the man drowns and goes to heaven, and when he sees God he asks him, "Why didn't you save me?"
God replied, "You dummy! I tried. I sent three boats after you!!"

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The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.