Scouting for Indian sites

Ned, Cissie, and I got in a nice hike today. The first area we visited had a very large number of petroglyphs. These were not like the normal ones you see in Utah and other areas. These were done on a different type of rock, it was some sort of basaltic rock. In the genral area were some very nice camping places near a stream that runs year round. The picture above is from a lookout site that once had stone walls. It was part of an area communication system on the top of bluffs. The indians could pass word on from one mountain to the next with fires, smoke, or whatever. The site is east of where the interstate goes from Cottonwood to Phoenix. The day was crystal clear and just the right temp.

Pot sherd at Towel Creek

This is a nice pot sherd found at Towel Creek on a hike near the Verde River. These must be left in place. Brother in law Ned is a site steward for the Park Service and it is his job to protect these sites, and prevent vandalism. Patty will be taking the class this Saturday to be a site steward, and Ned will be an instructor. Cissie and I may play the part of vandals. Very cold here for this far south. It is amazing how much panic there is when temp drops here. Most of these people have never seen ice except in a museum. Hopefully we can get a moderate hike organized today.

Important message from the commander (Cissie)

Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are.
- Bertolt Brecht

The above quote came from the commander today when she lectured Ned and I about sitting in front of the computer too long.

Nice Day in McGuireville

View out the front door at Patty's. Trying to fix hinge on camper that got kadizzled on windy drive down here. May hike today. Have to help Ned replace microwave. Hopefully we can get to Indian sites in next couple days. Need some excercise.

Villaneuva State Park in New Mexico

We spent the night here. Wonderful little park near an old fashion Mexican style town. The back of the camper was right up against the Pecos River. Coranado walked through almost exactly where the camper is. We are now at Patty's. Had good evening catching up. Managed to park the bigfoot right next to their new house. The TV is getting many channels, but too many are fundy preachers. Cissie and I just finished a hike up on a plateau by the house here. Sad to see the damage from 4 wheelers and the beer cans that the red necks leave. Beer companies should be forced to run adds shaming the beer dogs into picking up the cans. Four wheelers are the ruination of the southwest. They allow lazy people to haul trash into pristine areas, waste gas, and add to the polluted air.

Made it to Patty's

Arrived at Patty's new house in or near Cottonwood. Long day's drive. Damn headwind all the way. Stayed at wonderful campground last night. More later with picture.

Where next?

A morning soak in Erin's hot tub is hard to beat. Today we have to decide where to go next. We need to leave the camper down out of the mountians. If it snows up here we could never get it out. Have been thinking about going to Cottonwood and leaving the camper there, and then returning to Hazen for Christmas. Yesterday we hiked up on mountian by Erin and Fran's. Lot of wildlife near here. Appear to be dens within four hundred feet of house. Saw a very large buck right in Erin's yard. I think it is one of largest I have ever seen. I think everyone has gained weight from turkey day. Sun is out and looks like nice day.

Landon, Mike, and Olivia watch horse movie

Keeping these two entertained was a job. When my Grandpa days come, I don't know if I can handle it. Erin helped her freinds kids build a gingerbread house. It was a hit

Turkey at Erin's

Wonderful dinner at Erin's. Erin had freinds over and with them came a pie that will probably take this years prize. It was an apple cranberry pie that involved brandy. With a little whip cream it was an explosive mixture.

Two trips to the dump

We managed to finally get our camper clear up Erin and Fran's driveway. Cissie and I cleaned the garage for the bums. We had to make two trips to the dump. The blasted dump charges 45 dollars to dump a large pickup load. Trash is expensive here. Wonderful dinners here. Lamb last night, tonight it will be chicken. Big turkey day tomorrow. Cissie already has the punkin pie made.

A wasted but good day.

The only accomplishment today of any note was cleaning Erin's driveway. There were several cookings in the hot tub to wash the sins away, but still many sins to go.

Recovering from Defeat

Like Tom Foley and the Local Pastor, Ted Haggard here in Denver I have gone into treatment at a spa for my terrible sins. At Erin's spa they have a special system for baking the devil out of people that run dirty campaigns.

Occupation Messiah

Read the comment on the article below. Very interesting comment. I checked the profile of the person who sent it, and he listed his occupation as Messiah. I wonder what it pays? The last one got fired under the worst circumstances, I hope this one does better. We need more Messiahs. I may put in my resume and see if I can get work. From my travels with Cissie I do not think I am qualified to do anything. We are equipping our truck with a brake and steering wheel on her side. She has been giving me every detail of how to use the ones on my side. Apparently I do not have a brain. I am considering renting one, but it is cheaper just to use hers. I was just shoveling Erin's driveway. To my surprise the supreme commander explained I was not even qualified to do that. First her eminence came on the job site and complimented me for how clever I was. I rigged up the hose so it would siphon water from the stream and melt the snow on the driveway. Since the driveway is all down hill it worked will. Then the commander decided I was forming a puddle she did not like farther down the road in the ditch. It was not a problem, not a least from the perspective of my small IQ. However the commander demanded the process be stopped, so the commander is still outside shoveling. We are considering a hike or a home improvement project.

Science vs Religion

Take the time to go to this link in the NY times. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/21/science/21belief.html?8dpc

I am a fan of Richard Dawkins who has written a book THE GOD DELUSION. Dawkins asserts, and I agree that most of our world problems are caused by religion. Many scientist are taking on this problem head on. Dawkins is leading the charge.

Busting Out

We arrived at Erin's today. Had a nice night in a wonderful state park in Wyoming. Perfect place to make halfway form Hazen. First thing I did was jump in the hot tub on her deck. For some strange reason gas is cheaper in Evergreen Colorado than anywhere on earth.

Off to see the Wizard

Cissie and I are in the final stages of packing to go to Evergreen, Colorado. We are going to visit Erin for Thanksgiving.