An Acrophobiac's Nightmare

A few years ago, we explored an unusual Anasazi ruin in a remote area near Bluff, Utah. (in the Four Corners area, so called because it's near the intersection of 4 state lines.)

The site above, located perhaps a hundred feet below the top of the cliffs, is difficult to find. Click on the photo above to see 2 people standing at the level of the ruins.
Access looks impossible, but it's not as bad as you might think. The approach is from the opposite side of the canyon, down a narrow ledge that must be traversed single file - scary, but safe enough if you're careful. After reaching the site level, you can walk around in a semi-circle (out of sight to the right in the above photo) to the ruins.
Along the way, you'll pass a spring with vegetation growing in the rock cracks where the water seeps through.

(The black dog at the bottom of the photo is hard to see in the sunlight, but she's lying a pool of water.)
Some of the ruins are quite well preserved. This home is complete with a window (or maybe it's a door?)
Steve climbed down into an enclosed, rounded structure called a kiva. Note the convenient shelf for storage.
Probably the people chose this site for safety from enemies. They most likely grew crops on the land above.

Can you imagine tending a 2 year old while living there? I've often thought they must have tethered the children until they were old and wise enough to avoid the edge.

For photos and tales from other worlds, click here.

A Tale of Two Hearts

On a Valentine’s Day long, long ago (‘70’s) in the "city that care forgot" (New Orleans, Louisiana), boy and girl (Steve and Janie) had their first conversation in a parking lot at Charity Hospital. They went to a Mardi Gras parade for a first date, and Steve caught an entire bag of beads -- an auspicious omen, don’t you think?

They found that they had much in common. They had read many of the same books, enjoyed asking questions, seeking answers and exploring all things natural.

They liked to hike and ride horses, and generally be outdoors. They were in accord on most facets of life.
And so they hung out together, and eventually married.
Early on, they fell in love with the mountains.

Three kids and 17 years later, the whole family moved to Utah, where the clan had many seasons of fun hiking over hills and desert and through the wildflowers.
The kids grew up. They celebrated weddings and the birth of three grandchildren.

Janie and Steve have a life to themselves again, boy and girl. (A little wrinkled and ragged around the edges but inside, they haven’t changed too much.) They are still talking, satisfying curiosity, riding, hiking, exploring.

And they hope to do so for many Valentine days to come.