Cumulus clouds wander across the sky, offering the hope of rain but never making good on their promise. It never rains here anymore… I turn off of the pavement and onto the dirt road towards the Bookcliffs. Past the dunes and the dry watering hole. I go as far into the canyon as the truck will take me. Sandstone walls tower high above. The terrain gets rough and the road narrows. Thankful for four-wheel drive but not willing to get stuck, I decide to start hiking.
My dog is ready to get out of the truck. He knows there are rabbits and lizards out there. He’s ready to run. The cactus is in full bloom. Spatters of hot pink and yellow crisscross the desert landscape. The Yucca is almost in full bloom as well. The beauty of this desolate land never ceases to amaze me…
Scavengers circle above and birds of prey scream through the sky. They watch us from high perches with keen eyes. Perhaps they are wondering if we will make it back to the truck. It’s hot today. Abnormally hot for May. The cows have been taken to the high country. No signs of the antelope anywhere. No signs of any four legged creatures. Not even a coyote… The river is not rising this year. Not enough snowmelt. We are in an exceptional drought and it doesn’t look like it’s going to end anytime soon.
We duck into an alcove to get some shade and some water. My dog smiles at me. He’s happy to be on an adventure. The smells of hot sandstone and sagebrush and juniper delight my senses. I could stay here forever and the vultures are hoping I do. There is a wash down below. Water lines tell the stories of runoff and flash floods from days gone by.
Up above us, an abandoned coal mine. The hill is littered with old steel and sun-rotted timbers. Above the mine, high on the ridge, there are signs of wildfire sparked by lightning. Burned out skeletons of junipers and pinyon pine.
This has always been rough country. Only the strong survive here. It’s time to head back and get some lunch. We’ve been out here since sunrise and my stomach is telling me I’m hungry…
Nomadic Farmer 