The New Mexico desert is ancient, and the heritage of the Apache people still haunts every nook and cranny. Beautiful words and image here. Provokes awe.
Geronimo's encampment was down near the Gila wilderness, in southern NM, I believe... a time and people that have always fascinated me. Thank you so much.
I love that photo, Teresa. And the thought of the moon rising on the Apache trail sure brings back good memories of a part of the country that I still love.
I believe this photo was taken in the Superstition Mountains in AZ. There's a steep mountain road that takes you up to the dam and reservoir. I recall it being a beautiful, but hair raising drive... :)
Roosevelt Lake area then or possibly Apache Lake. I spent many happy days in that area, throughout the Superstition Wilderness, the Four Peaks wilderness north of the Apache Trail and around the lake. Also up into the Sierra Ancha wilderness to the northeast. That is the most romantic part of the country that I've ever seen.
I didn't have the opportunity to explore as much as I would have liked. My parents had a home near Apache Junction, in a golfing community called Queen Valley, where they spent eighteen winters. Absolutely beautiful up there near the lake, always wanted to spend more time... Thanks so much for sharing your memories. That's quite a compliment to that area, considering how very beautiful your area in Montana is...
For the last ten years or so of my stay in Arizona I lived not too far south of Apache Junction in the small town of Queen Creek. t avoided the density of the Phoenix area and was quite pleasant. I loved it there but the population center kept spreading and I knew it would overtake that area as it had the rest of the valley. A brief visit there last year made me realize that was right.
You might enjoy a short story I wrote years ago about a day hunting in the Superstitions. I spent a lot of time in that area, hunting and camping and exploring. My old Apache brother.
Oh, Montucky, that is a wonderful story. I got goosebumps reading it. I could hear the crunch of your boots, and see the scene so well from my own explorations in the SW. I love the juxtaposition of the earlier hunter and yourself. That's a remarkable thing to experience ... thank you so much for writing about it. It sounds like you were in a basketmaker alcove. I've been in a few myself and I'm always struck with awe and wonder at the passing of time and the feeling of being present to their lives after 2,000 years... I'm so glad you wrote back and included this story. I have to get back out there some day...
Reminds me of Ansel Adams photographs. Very nice!! Have a good and interesting week. Be mindful!
ReplyDeleteI wish it was my photograph, but it is not ... Thank you, Kate! I shall! :)
DeleteOooh Teresa, this one so speaks to me! Beautiful photo...where was it taken??? dang...
ReplyDeleteThanks, TMoon. It's not my photograph. All I know is it was taken in Arizona.
DeleteAnother beauty. Inspires thoughts of solitary vision quests, and of finding the courage to confront old shadows.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Seth. The need to confront old shadows sometimes pops in unexpectedly...
DeleteThe New Mexico desert is ancient, and the heritage of the Apache people still haunts every nook and cranny. Beautiful words and image here. Provokes awe.
ReplyDeleteGeronimo's encampment was down near the Gila wilderness, in southern NM, I believe... a time and people that have always fascinated me. Thank you so much.
DeleteI love that photo, Teresa. And the thought of the moon rising on the Apache trail sure brings back good memories of a part of the country that I still love.
ReplyDeleteI believe this photo was taken in the Superstition Mountains in AZ. There's a steep mountain road that takes you up to the dam and reservoir. I recall it being a beautiful, but hair raising drive... :)
DeleteRoosevelt Lake area then or possibly Apache Lake. I spent many happy days in that area, throughout the Superstition Wilderness, the Four Peaks wilderness north of the Apache Trail and around the lake. Also up into the Sierra Ancha wilderness to the northeast. That is the most romantic part of the country that I've ever seen.
DeleteI didn't have the opportunity to explore as much as I would have liked. My parents had a home near Apache Junction, in a golfing community called Queen Valley, where they spent eighteen winters. Absolutely beautiful up there near the lake, always wanted to spend more time... Thanks so much for sharing your memories. That's quite a compliment to that area, considering how very beautiful your area in Montana is...
DeleteFor the last ten years or so of my stay in Arizona I lived not too far south of Apache Junction in the small town of Queen Creek. t avoided the density of the Phoenix area and was quite pleasant. I loved it there but the population center kept spreading and I knew it would overtake that area as it had the rest of the valley. A brief visit there last year made me realize that was right.
DeleteYou might enjoy a short story I wrote years ago about a day hunting in the Superstitions. I spent a lot of time in that area, hunting and camping and exploring. My old Apache brother.
Oh, Montucky, that is a wonderful story. I got goosebumps reading it. I could hear the crunch of your boots, and see the scene so well from my own explorations in the SW. I love the juxtaposition of the earlier hunter and yourself. That's a remarkable thing to experience ... thank you so much for writing about it. It sounds like you were in a basketmaker alcove. I've been in a few myself and I'm always struck with awe and wonder at the passing of time and the feeling of being present to their lives after 2,000 years... I'm so glad you wrote back and included this story. I have to get back out there some day...
Delete