48.08 Ducks...Jenni's Ducks on the trails.

We experience a little tension between us every now and again, often because of ducks. Ducks! You might exclaim, but it’s true. ‘How could that be?’ It’s a reasonable question. I’ll try to explain but fear it might be difficult. You should know upfront that Jenni has defined all forms of birdlife as ducks. Should you be able to grasp the concept then you’ve made a leap forward without getting into much of a flap. You should know that Jen probably gets a bit upset with me when I inform her in the sweetest manner that her assertions of birds are not based on any scientific parameters but rather that she wings it. 

I think she believes all flying creatures belong to the same species and therefore a generic description will do. Ducks. Admittedly, my fascination with shooting the flying fellows, with a camera of course, may be the reason she acts as she does. Just the other day, I was trying to figure something out. I often think deeply of irrelevant issues and she wonders whether my brain is shaped like a spreadsheet. When I consider it, gentle Jenni has quite a lot of issues with my nature besides those of real nature. “Honey,” she says all innocently, “Have you got all your ducks in a row?” What’s that got to do with my Excel spreadsheet or more precisely, the layout of my brain. I think she’s teasing me but I’m never sure where ducks fit into the picture or maybe, spreadsheet.

 

The other day, we were racing down a mountain trail. Okay, we were walking fast. I mentioned that I was particularly hungry. “What are you making for dinner, my Girl?” I asked. I love her cooking and the way she tries to make my favorites so often, especially the frozen vegetables, particularly when she remembers to warm them. She had the audacity to shout at me: “Duck.” What vegetarian eats meat or birds, I ask you? Then I got whacked on the head by a low hanging branch. 

She really had me going when she explained the religious angle of birds. I thought she had lost it completely. She pointed out an Osprey that was roaring vertically toward the water surface at great speed. It truly was a sight to behold. Then it plucked a fish from the water at which stage I rather cleverly added (an occasional talent) that ‘it looked like a fish out of water’. 

“You see,” she explained, “that’s a bird of prey.”

Dinner up the pole. 'Not fish again!' "Yes. But at least you have power. You can grill or fry it."

I looked at her all squirrelly. The girl’s lost it. 

“Pray, my foot. That’s a cold-bloodied killer. It has not an ounce of compassion spread between those wings or anywhere else for that matter.” 

I was so peeved at this ridiculous assertion that I had to add, “Should anyone be praying and receiving mercy, it’s the poor fish.” 

Lately, I’ve been practicing sitting on my haunches. It’s not that easy and also takes a lot of energy and strong knees to raise oneself without the assistance of hands. There’s method in my madness. You see, there are places where they have Western toilets together with local versions (Nepal, Peru, et al). However, outside cities, there are a number of places of accommodation that provide the local form of lavatory also known as a hole in the ground, sometimes covered but of course, without a commode. 

It’s at those times, previous exercise referred to above, is most useful. As an aside, I have also noticed, through lack of practice over the ages, it is more difficult to get low on the haunches and at the same time have the feet spread apart a reasonable distance. Jenni does it with ease and surprisingly; after all, she is many months older than me. Of course, as one ages, one realizes the commode is one of man's greatest inventions despite the electronic gadgets that engage so many people these days. (Strangely enough, one still cannot ask Alexa to relieve oneself.)

Anyway, I was sitting on my haunches and I could see the little smile creasing her lovely face. Note it was a crease and not a wrinkle. We do not use words like wrinkle any longer. Like the haunch business, I think it also has something to do with age. Anyway, there I am sitting on my haunches experiencing what could be termed 'a dry run' when she says to me: "You look like a sitting duck."

"EYES LEFT and ONE RIGHT". Showing respect to the Duck dislike(r).

Duck attack! Has Jenni's attitude to ducks influenced Ellie? (Ellie is now approaching 12 years: Gaga is a little older.)

You have to wonder if she thinks about anything but ducks. And she has the chutzpah to say 'I'm crazy about birds'. Actually, that's not a statement for which I'd offer an argument. Birds are a wonderful species and having just returned from Utah, one gets a better understanding of the mind of the Mormon male.

There are birds (ducks) which we agree are out of favor, especially from my perspective. Crows. I don't like them particularly, but that may be more a function of the symbolism they represent. Also, we do not find them attractive. Better to provide some examples or reasons for these comments than prejudicial statements. After all, 'C(rows)L(ives)M(atter)' and all that hot potato stuff. 

My first real experience, which we mentioned many years ago, is when we were hiking down a mountain. Jenni had recently purchased a basic GPS. I remember now. We were in Flagstaff and returning from the peak of Kendrick, a moderate, to tough at times, climb and return. I was beginning to tire and asked for a reading from the gadget. 

"Two miles," came the reply from our newly self-appointed navigator. Ten minutes later, still feeling under the weather, I repeated the question. I also wanted to make Jen feel important in her new role. From time-to-time, I'll be generous in spirit, although she disagrees. 

"2.5 miles," she exclaimed. 

"But ten minutes ago you said it was a lesser distance," I retorted. "We must have walked another half-mile in the meantime." And that's when she began to explain the concept of 'as the crow flies'. Frankly, it's irrelevant to me the route crows take. We have to stay on the trail for a number of reasons, one being that we don't fly, swim across rivers and oceans and such like. Therefore, I have not the slightest interest in the flight path of a bird, particularly an ugly one. 

Thereafter, we visited South Africa and arrived at a national park, Giants Castle. In the parking lot, a sign greeted visitors with the wording 'Cover your wiper blades because the crows have a fetish' meaning they will take your rubbers. We were quite shocked. At first, we had no idea why crows would use condoms. We also could not follow the logic. Surely people would keep condoms inside the car. But this was South Africa...what do we know? 

Secondly, we were against discussing our intimate life with the park attendant who came forward to welcome us and provide guidance. 

In retrospect, following my negative feeling for the birds, I realized providing condoms to crows would be an ideal method of controlling the population of that species. It dawned upon me that perhaps South Africans aren't as dumb as they seem. Anyway, we have summarized what we wrote at the time...we were much younger then and our brains functioned more clearly.

 

We've heard of fetishes but this takes the rubber...um...cake. 

Fortunately, on each visit to the park we have managed to conceal our rubbers safely. 

Could an animal rights extremist group try rid cars of windscreen wipers? 

With crows' ingestion of rubber: Will it affect those who 'eat crow' or how 'the crow flies'? 

Are there implications for the condom industry? 

We don't know. 

In Tucson, along this road, crows may be observed in training. It's well-known locally: 'As crows fly.' (Picture taken on Soldier trail in Coronado National Forest, a hike that is simply, superb.)

We'll leave it at that but perhaps you will understand why I dislike intensely this species of Jenni's ducks. 

"Hey, let go. I got it first."

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

47.48 Arizona, border with Nevada: Lone Palm Canyon to Colorado River. Staggering canyon with steep drops.

We reach a high-point of the hike and spot those at the low-point.

Jen takes a break as she contemplates a very difficult section to negotiate. She usually has good sense for survival.

They say a house is a man’s castle or maybe, we should express it differently suggesting that a home is a woman’s palace. In the ideal sense, when a man and woman come together in harmony, it would seem the place in which they live may not be as important as the space they occupy together. What’s this all about? Don’t ask me, what I do I know? After all, we were talking with a family member a couple of years ago when he looked up at me and I could see he wanted to mention something important but was thinking carefully of how to express it. Although he’s not a man to avoid controversial topics, he seemed hesitant on this one. Finally, he smiled, blushed slightly and offered the following comment. (Continues at end...)

Reflections along the river.

At times, an intimidating canyon.

Up from the canyon, over the peak and heading down to the river.

Meantime, he tries to catch up with the tracker.

If you can't find a ladder, what about dead trees?

Warming up out of the cool slot canyon.

For every down there's a corresponding up--life's balance in action.

Relegated to the 'dog box' for something he said.

“I can’t understand you,” he began. “It’s in our DNA,” he continued, “that a person needs to have a house (home) of a permanent nature.” 

It was an unusual comment but one that I took no umbrage from as I have been told we probably don’t have a full set of DNA (if that’s a possibility) either (or is it a full box?) Of course, an advantage of not buying a house is not acquiring a mortgage either…as well as skipping all the maintenance issues. Nevertheless, those are side issues, more of a diversion. Frankly, there was a time we too could not envisage living without a formal abode, furnished with our personal items beautifying the home. Therefore, his comment, seemingly out of place at first, turned out to be quite accurate although perhaps for a different reason. 

Truth be told, I could never envisage myself being away from home for extended periods. In Jenni’s case, she probably was less attached to things than me. How life can change and often does. Before moving on, we met another person who became part of the extended family. He had difficulty understanding how people at our station in life did not own a house. At the time, we envisaged traveling and so had sold a property and were renting an apartment. When he learned that we had owned domestic property during our years together, he felt comforted. Always nice to assuage people. 

There are a few people who understand us and realize what we do although even less are cognitive of life on the road with ultimate goals of experiencing and living in the natural world. We had decided to leave the channel and seek freedom and pursue our passion. The channel is a method of maintaining a routine as people move between the home, office and various social gatherings within communities. While we all would utter how much we believe in freedom, in practice, people tend to gravitate to conformity, something quite different or even the opposite of liberty. This is a deep subject so we’ll skip over it although we have dealt with it in other forums. One proviso though. We offer an opinion on life, lifestyles effectively, which is just that...one of many approaches to life, neither right nor wrong.  

We opted to see, feel, enjoy, experience as well as face challenges of our planet outside the routine of regular life rather than remain attached to one place. By definition, a fixed abode chains a person to a location, a routine and style of life. It becomes the starting point and ending position each day, and in many cases, for most of the time in-between. We realized each person has two tests to answer. The first is to be able to ask the question at the end of each day whether a person accomplished anything meaningful on the day. The second is whether a person will be ready and able to answer our maker at the end of life. The question asked might be: “So what did you think of my world? Did you experience and enjoy it?” 

In case we did not make it clear, we realize our life is a mere experiment and no matter how hard we try, we will only experience a tiny fraction of what’s on offer. Nevertheless, each day, particularly when we are outside our resting environment, we witness miracles. It may sound a little off the wall but as someone once said, “You had to be there”. We also wish to make the point that our lifestyle is only one of millions. Each person has the right and privilege of dealing with life and its journey in a unique way. Now we’ll move off that subject and mention our bed. 

Perhaps the opening paragraphs had to be written and read for otherwise, the next part might be pretty disgusting, or for some, very modern. By definition, should one live in a fixed abode, chances are that a person or couple have a bed. How many people become attached to their beds? We might suggest, positively, a bed may be compared with the womb. Who would not seek the protection of the womb at the conclusion of waking hours? What a special place to occupy when the world becomes too much to take, when a person is weary and depressed or just requires rest to re-charge. 

We once had a bed. In fact, over the years, we had to replace them from time-to-time, even trying out a water mattress at one stage. It proved useful when we had to move house one year as we only had to float down the stairs and along the road to our new home close by. Since taking to the road and mountains near on eleven years ago, we have occupied hundreds of different beds although slept with the same person on each occasion, I hope. (That’s really not funny at all, but I could not resist). We have slept on (in?) beds in hotels, motels, houses, apartments, aparthotels, tents, cars, huts, outside, and places we forget. The interesting aspect is that in all that time, we have never longed for our own bed. For, when it’s time to lay our heads and bodies down, the place we do it becomes our bed. We’ve always maintained that it’s not what we have, but what we do that counts. Our happiness comes not from our possessions but rather, how we function, that we pursue our passions, have meaning in our lives and fulfill our purposes, whatever they may be. 

Anyway, the last bed we owned was placed in storage with the rest of our household effects. A couple of years after the transfer, our son Robert, needed a bed. Therefore, should we settle down and move our rather large quantity of possessions into a permanent abode, we’ll still be missing a bed. We finally arrive at the purpose of this note. We are seeking donations in order to purchase a queen bed. All contributions will be accepted gladly and acknowledged with appreciation and we’ll always have you in our hearts and minds, even when we sleep. 

Don't forget our 'take it with a pinch (grain) of salt', mentioned in an earlier blog, after reading the concluding couple of sentences.

 

The river makes another of its sharp turns.

 

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

48.12 Arizona: Tonto National Forest: Pairs in color and a pair in a heavenly environment.

Tonto Basin and the immediate region surrounding it is not for people who enjoy the wilderness. Tough hikes amongst pristine beauty is of course, overrated. Definitely not for those who don't welcome people greeting and waving from their cars or while walking along the road. Stopping to ask how one is and striking up a conversation and whether they can assist one might impinge on privacy. The blue waters, the shapes, coves, and glass-like stillness of Roosevelt Lake can be awfully boring. 

Apache Lake and the flowing Salt River might be fascinating but then again, it's just water and there's a lot of that about, surprisingly in the desert, too. The saguaros dot the landscape but when you've seen one tall one with multiple arms, you've seen them all. Yep! This is not a place to visit for in a way, it's stepping back into the Wild West without lawlessness. It allows a person to escape from the prison of the proverbial jungle which of course, makes this land far too tranquil and frankly, boring. 

Why we extended our stay, puzzles us. Then again, we like to keep our feet on the ground and our eyes on the peaks. 

Walking along the Apache Trail, a delightful find. (From lake level)

Viewing the Salt River/Apache Lake from above on the incredible Vineyard Hike. (From mountaintop)

Roosevelt Lake at level.

The lake from height.

Roosevelt Lake from Arizona Trail at height.

The lake on our 4th day, more attractive each time, at level.

That Roosevelt dam wall from Vineyard climb.

Below Vineyard trail at the dam.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

48.11 Arizona: Tonto National Forest: A Special tribute (Mike Nickols), with natural beauty thrown into the mix. (FR647)

Four Peaks Wilderness, takes the breath away...probably the climb actually.

Each day, we face nature and invariably confront some of the most beautiful and amazing scenes. We've often mentioned that each differs from the previous, sometimes subtlety, but most times, bluntly. How is it possible that the world is covered in treasures and yet we've only discovered a tiny amount? Combine it with the physical efforts, often mental exercise too, and we believe we live in an incredible space and place. Yet, nature itself is neutral. It is neither good nor bad. It does what it's programmed to do. 

What's missing from nature's formula? An attribute which we'll call kindness. In a recent blog, we dealt with our opinion of human behavior. We have often expressed the view that a potential attribute of man, perhaps the only reason we have survived until now, is that of the concept of kindness shown to a stranger. Is there anything more beautiful, more meaningful, than one human assisting another, both unknown to each other and for which no benefit is expected? We have always believed as long as there are a few kind people in the world, it will continue to exist.

Today, we took a long hike, some 8 miles, rising close to 3,000 feet in a beautiful part of the world, across the way from Roosevelt Lake. When we were returning, perhaps with 3 miles still to go, we met Mike Nickols who had driven to the meeting point in his buggy. Earlier we had noticed his buggy parked close to where we ended our outgoing leg. We also spoke with Steve and Jim who were riding a buggy on these rough roads in the mountains. They were the only people we saw on the day. Mike had noticed us eating brunch on the peak and later, wondered where 'our buggy' was. He thought we may have been lost. 

He returned to the trail to search for us. Of course, we were not lost but he thought otherwise. Here was a stranger, worrying that two people might be lost in the wilderness, returning in his buggy over rough roads to search and offer help. We consider that a righteous deed, indeed. Thank you, Mike. You epitomize the concept of human kindness. 

Later, after returning to our car, we stopped by the temporary residence of Pam and Mike for a brief chat. Delightful.

This was our 4th hike in a row at 'the lake district' and each one was superb. We highlight a few photographs until a more formal blog is produced.

Jen arriving at our peak.

Mesmerized...for a change.

Looks so close and yet so far.

A subtle exposure to Roosevelt Lake.

We've been spoiled this past few months with exposure to Lakes Powell, Mead and now Roosevelt.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

'Thank you, Mike.'

48.10 Arizona: Tonto National Forest...in the basin. Pictures of the week—Bridging a dam-lake.

Roosevelt Dam and lake...life is a many splendid thing.

Surprisingly, there are advantages in not having much of a brain. Don't laugh, we speak from experience. Were we brighter, that is, had more power in the head, we'd not see and experience much of what we do. There are many places a person would not climb or hike should they be intelligent. And therein lies the advantage we referred to earlier. Admittedly, there is downside but when that occurs, we consider it experience. We win both ways. 

Alas, there is a perturbing trend which has occurred of late. In fact, today when we were heading off trail to reach a mountaintop, I mentioned to Jen she should question me more as well as argue when she thinks I'm leading us astray. We were 'bush-wacking' up a mountain over and around cacti and more subtle 'pricklies' at the time. 

Her singing reply: 'I will follow you...(there isn't a mountain too high...)." I did not know how to take that other than to realize how I miss our arguments. Shows you.

Love this lake and surround...love them all when I think of it.

A view of the bridge from another hike; actually, from a mountaintop off trail on a different day with clouds reflecting off the surface.

Continuing flow toward Apache Lake.

Sometimes I have to wonder. "Will you get down from that bridge, Jenni, it hasn't been wiped for Covid." In the end, it's all water under the bridge.

A very prickly pair.

A view from the Vineyard hike of a part of Roosevelt Lake.  

There were definite advantages to this particular hike. It gave one an understanding that at times, it's preferable to be outside, looking in. Furthermore, it was comforting knowing that this rather tough hike, should it prove to be over-exhausting, would allow opportunity for a long rest.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

The Slot Canyon: The Crack of Havasu and thereafter.

Jenni enters the exciting but short slot canyon...producing an interesting visual.  

After climbing from the slot canyon and then up to Lizard peak, we observe a completely different environment.

Scroll down for this week's posting.

48.03 Arizona, Yuma: Fortuna Peak, Crash site of Fortress Bomber and tough mountain climb.

The memory of these airmen remain and so it should. These days, the concept of hero has been denigrated, unfortunately. The memorials laid on the mountain represent heroes. For the record, to reach high up and past the crosses, we found tough and dangerous, but certainly not heroic.

Taking a break on the tough climb as we turn to face Yuma.

We observe from afar, sometimes not so far, and wonder why people disrespect the flag of their country, particularly that of a republic or democracy. They burn it, stand-down next to it, curse it and what it represents, and also, those that support it. It was not long ago when those that would not stand for the flag invited condemnation. Today, there’s a hardcore that condemn people who are proud of the flag. Hmm! 

There are people we love, many whom we respect and a large number we avoid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the latter stages of our life, we realize and accept reluctantly: the human race is a disappointment. Beginning with ourselves, we are far from perfect. In fact, the real test is between good and evil. We can make a strong argument we’re not the latter; unfortunately, we don’t have convincing means of proving the former. We would like to suggest that we all judge less and act better. We’ve always maintained and been strong advocates for the following concept: Rather than fix the world, let's fix ourselves first. 

So, when we reach these difficult peaks and confront the nation’s flag flying in glory, it’s a reminder that while much is wrong in the country (world), at least, our predecessors (who certainly endured much tougher hardships than succeeding generations), left us legacies to strive to improve upon rather than destroy. May we see the flag as representing a concept of unity, of good values and of improving ourselves, each one of us rather than others. Let’s try to love our neighbors and fix ourselves. 

 We undertook the Fortuna Mountain hike, actually, it’s a mountain climb over rocks and boulders, both difficult and extremely dangerous. There is no path although cairns are set up to suggest a way to follow to reach the top. That we did not return with a scratch from a fall but for a few slips during which we were able to regain balance was a minor miracle. 

Following on from the mention of the flag above, the Fortuna Mountain is the site of a B17 Fortress bomber crash. It occurred in 1944 after which 5 bodies were recovered immediately while the components of the plane remain scattered. It’s a special place in the Gila Mountains because of the difficulty and nature of the hike but more so for the tragedy that occurred. It gives one, as in many places we have hiked, pause for contemplation and always, perspective. 

One of those thoughts concerned the flag and not merely a colorful piece of material attached to a pole. Rather, what the flag symbolizes or should represent is relevant. It begged the question: How could anyone disrespecting the flag even begin to face those air force members, and all soldiers throughout the ages, who sacrificed their lives and/or gave part of their lives in the service of the country. We would think it’s apt to crawl in the shadows of such courage and stand erect, with head bowed in humility, before the flag. We need to be more humble and realize while each one of us is important, in the grand scheme of things, we are insignificant. From mountaintops, that concept becomes more apparent.  

Finally, we would add that there’s little wrong with this country or any other, for that matter. Surely the fault is clear. We humans, are the problem. 

We would wish the above is read as being concerned with values and respect; nothing to do with politics. 

However, we have little hesitation in stating that most politicians, if not all, are self-serving and epitomize much that is wrong with humanity. 

It appears to be an explosion but amounts to the clouds expressing themselves.

The sun is only able to express itself on a small area.

Negotiating boulders, rocks and scree--an awful lot of fun.

Jen passes a memorial with plane debris close by.

'And where to now?'

On our return, still a lot to go, a weary and relieved Jenni turns to look from whence we scrambled.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

Some scattered components of the B17.