Easter week was small-town adorable around here. There were egg hunts at Out-Of-Town-Park, and even a high school rodeo. One thing is for sure, this is the first time in many years that things seem normal. No masks. Tons of people out and about during the weekend. In general, us desert folk are ready for some fun.
These days, it seems as every car in town is rolling down main to clog up our teeny tiny little one lane round-about. There was barely space for a stop sign next to the rail overpass before they decided to utilize the new concept. Yielding to others. There are plenty of tire tracks on the inside curb, softened to accommodate the big rigs, some with three trailers instead of two. Such is life in our small, simple town.
The day before Easter, MM and I decided to explore. If we were planning to attend Sunrise service, we should know how to get there. “Turn at the first dirt road off Reservation Road,” isn’t the most detailed directions. The GPS in my new car would miss that one, and besides, my new car wouldn’t do well without pavement.
On a perfectly windy and blustery day, off we went in MM’s faithful truck. It’s seen all and knows all the ways of the desert, as does he. Being a resident since the mid-1900’s, he already knows the cool, out-of-sight places up the hill and around the bend. He knew right where we were going.
Well, it IS a bit of a drive.
You need to go over the raging river.
By Papa’s Ranch House.
Turn right at the one stop sign going through town.
Go by the school.
Just a couple minutes past the school, veer off to the left onto the dirt road.
Travel five miles over washboard roads. (According to Wikipedia, Washboarding creates an uncomfortable ride for the occupants. I can confirm this.)
Past the skinny desert cows with their spring calves. (Don’t ever get to close to these mamas.)
Just park at the corral and walk up the hill to the three crosses and you are there.
Now repeat at 5:30 in the morning in desert darkness.
It was wise that we decided to do this during the day. The washboarded dirt road was still an uncomfortable ride, but we knew it wouldn’t last forever.
The service was absolutely beautiful, under a beautiful desert sky. As the sun came up, the message was one of beauty, faith, hope, wonder, and life everlasting.
Whatever you decide to do today, you might want to plan an adventure just outside your own little town. Remember, dirt roads wash out. Never travel farther than you can travel back. Watch out for steep grades and mad mama cows. Be sure to get some pictures. You might need to give directions someday.
More tomorrow.