YOU WANNA LIVE THIS WAY?---part 2--MY STYLE OF SLOW DRIFT

HERE'S A SENSE OF WHAT IT'S LIKE TO SLOWLY DRIFT ABOUT THE COUNTRY---from Flagstaff in this case as a beginning point to Salida, Colorado.  The trick is to enjoy the going.

Peep hole into nothingness -- a thousand years old.

From a fortress like this at the Wapukti National Monument north of Flagstaff, Az.

My companion and I camped for 2 days at Clear creek campground outside Winslow, Az. 

(it's free---more here )

Know what this is?  It's a dynamite of a plant that always catches my attention.  Every bit of it is a deadly poison --read about it here

Nearby was a shy lady who would not be photographed.  She lives in the truck.

I see this fairly often and believe it's not a bad life--one of challenge and interest.  The lady is forced to make a hundred adaptations to live---it wakes up her creativity and sense of self--a big improvement over being coddled in an expensive, government funded nursing home.

The only photograph I took in the town of Zuni Pueblo--inside the grocery store--what you see here are dozens and dozens of cases of sugary drinks.  Only 2 bananas and 3 apples were for sale in the fruit department.  They are destroying themselves with junk food.

Stayed 3 days in and around El Morro National monument---the heart of which is this pool of rain water and hundreds of names etched on the walls by thankful, thirsty visitors for 3 centuries.

While there I got a quick lesson in throwing an ancient weapon--an atlatl. (pronounced at-lat'-ul)  It is a spear thrower--with a killing power far greater than an arrow.  Read about it here

Then I visited an old friend in the tiny NM town of Tierra Amarilla---caught him making a pizza in this old style oven.

It cooks in one minute flat

Meet Paul  Namkung-- one of the most remarkable people I know. Who else would operate a coffee house/ restaurant just to give the town a lively place to meet and to provide employment for the local youth.  (last month's total profit was $100)  I've written about him before: http://mobilecodgers.blogspot.com/2011/08/found-hero-in-hinterlands.html

How he makes a living I will show you in an upcoming post.

While walking around town I was stunned to see this---apparently the same ghostly lady I photographed years ago --still lurking around this collapsed building.  She again disappeared into the wreck of a dance hall.  I went inside again---couldn't find her.  Read the story here.

Then I went seriously up hill---to 10,000 ft elevation---nice and cool.

I drove west to this famous high bridge outside Taos, NM.  Spent the night.

People jump to their death here.  To dissuade them--this new hotline.

You can see that its certain death to jump.

Took a side trip to a very small town with a very big hero.

Jack Dempsey (The Manassa Mauler)

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  AND THAT'S HOW IT'S DONE:  Light on rigid agenda---heavy on curiosity and  intuition.  I follow in the footsteps of a very wise Henry David Thoreau--who said it better than I ever could:

"Go--hunt and fish---far and wide---further and wider ---rest thee by many brooks and hearth fires without misgivings.  Rise free from care before the dawn and seek adventures.  Let the noon find thee by other lakes--- and the night overtake thee everywhere at home.  There are no larger fields than these--no worthier games that may here be played.  Grow wild--- according to thy nature-- like these sedges and canes that will never become English hay".