Cedar Basin - Grapevine Springs

Here are a couple shots from around cedar basin and Grapevine Springs.

Doesn't he look like a miniature grandpa bill. He has got the hands behind is back pose and everything

Gold Butte - Headquarters

We took a little trip last weekend out to Gold Butte. We stopped along the way at Headquarters.We said hello to Art Coleman and William Garrett and then checked out the old well. There was still some water down in the bottom. We even saw a frog swimming down there. It was quite a deal.

 

Azure Ridge and the Grand Wash Cliffs - Gold Butte

There is a book named Storm Over the Range Lands by Wayne Hage. This book is about private rights in federal lands. I really like the title. Any time that I am out and I see a storm like this over beautiful country it brings this book to mind. It also hits home because this is country that my family has been connected with for years and we have had our own trials and struggles with the federal government and the powers that be. My only hope really is that it doesn't become so "protected" by its "friends" that my children cannot see what my father, my grandfather, my father in law and generations before us have fallen so deeply in love with.

There is a certain sense of pride and duty that you get when you work a piece of land. I personally have not worked this land, but many in my family have, running cattle, mining or by other means. I have spent many days and night with my own father exploring and touring this great back country called Gold Butte. Now its in danger by people who call themselves friends. I consider myself a steward of the land. I love it, I care for it, i respect it. Yes there are those who don't, who go out and destroy, but really is that a reason to shut it off for everyone?

Azure Ridge and the Grand Wash Cliffs - Gold Butte Country

Singed: an actual friend of Gold Butte and our beautiful country

Wechech Basin

Looking on the map it looks like the name of this area is Wechech Basin. This was taken of the top of the hill right after you pass the devils throat turn off headed towards gold butte. Things are starting to green up out there.

Virgin Range

This is a shot of the Virgin Range taken from Devils Throat. It didnt stitch together very well so i am sure you will see this picture again.

Tramp Ridge in the Rain

Tramp Ridge

 

  

  

 

My Little Explorers

These kids are the best. They are always up for an adventure, love being out, and enjoy the hills as much as their daddy. Even when it started raining during our lunch, they didn't want to get in the truck, they wanted to sit under the tailgate and enjoy the rain. I think it was the best picnic yet, rain and all.

(can you find Estefan)

  

  

  

 

Red Rock Springs

All my life I have thought that this was red bluff springs. However, upon further study of the map, I find that this is actually Red Rock Springs and that Red Bluff Springs is actually down  the road a little. None the less it is still great country. However as noted in this post its closed to motor vehicles. I think that if you go down about a hundred yards from the coral there is a trail, as seen in this picture, that you can hike over to the giant palm trees and springs.

Key Hole Canyon

The kids and I hiked over to Key Hole Canyon yesterday. Estefan was quite impressed with all of writings and the cool caves. We got a little rain on us but it was a great trip. You had probably better go see these places before the Bureau of Land Miss-Management closes it all off for public use.

 

  

  

  

 

Early Desert Blosums

Last weekend before my Cannonville trip I planted my Tomates. A few people harrassed me that it was a little too early. However I disagree and i think that mother nature does too. Granted tomates are native desert plants but much of the desert is starting to wake up and blosum. I love the desert in the spring, even if it does come a little early

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My Tax Dollars Hard at Work

Man am I glad I paided my taxes for this. Its a hell of a note to be closed out of your own country. Today i went to a place where my grreat grandpa use to freight, my grandpa ran cows, and my dad took me as a kid growing up. I TRIED to take my kids today but ran into this....Again, man am I glad I paided my taxes for this.

Red Bluff Springs...Closed

Key hole Canyon...Closed

There are getting to be more "No Motor Vehicle" signs in the desert then there are cactus

Kodachrome

last couple from our cannonville Trip

Red Peaks & White Snow

Here are a couple more from our cannonville trip

Red Canyon

Allie and I made a whirlwind trip up to Cannonville this weekend. Red Canyon to me is on treasure among many along the way. I could spend days here taking pictures and hiking the trails. What beautiful country. It doesn't matter how many times I drive through here the beauty of this canyon always gets me.

 

  

 

The Mesa

The boys and I made a little venture out on Mormon Mesa today. For those of us who live or have lived in "The Valley" this is a fairly significant landmark.