Lightning, Rainbow, and Moon
13 February 2021
Sonoran Desert, Arizona
Happy Lunar New Year! Year of the Ox! I woke up yesterday at sunrise, the first day of the new year, and it felt like rain. I checked the forecast. No rain. On my way to one of my favorite places, Organ Pipe Cactus NM, a good place to start a new cycle, I could see the storm on the horizon (dash cam still from video, see tiny horizontal lightning), followed by a double rainbow, still raining while the sun is shining over the Tohono O’odham Nation, and finally, caught the moon setting just as I made camp off a dusty road, the smell of rain, creosote and the cleansed air lingering. The road to Quitobaquito Spring re-opened today, and tomorrow I will visit. The last time I was there it was not yet interrupted by the draining of the aquifer, nor bulldozing of earth, artifacts and sacred grounds to construct the new border wall. Bought three new books at the visitor center and renewed my annual National Park Annual Pass.
Read MoreDeparture
9 February 2021
Coronado National Forest, Arizona
Thank you to this beautiful, intense landscape of wild biodiversity, political divide, and violent undercurrent. Spent the last evening with impossible burgers and beers with photographer John Kurc, followed by listening to coyotes yip under a Milky Way of stars. Breaking camp and moving on. With gratitude for the time spent here and the unexpected conversations. My mind for now is empty, carried by the fierce desert wind. I hope when I return next, we are in reconciliation and restoration.
Read MoreSunday Brunch
7 February 2021
Sonoran Desert, Arizona
There are three places to be in the MRS (mobile research studio). 1: the kitchen, where I’m having Sunday brunch, 2. the bedroom, which is about 7” away from where I’m dining, and where Cub is sitting on the “home office desk”, and 3: the studio, where I’ve mixed the tiniest amount of cyanotype to coat paper to fold three memorial boats when I get up into the mountains just a step north of the border. 4: what camp looks like at midday.
Read MoreThe Tireless John Kurc
4 February 2021
Sonoran Desert, Arizona
Overdue shout out to John Kurc who’s tirelessly documenting the new border wall. He’s been a generous guide and an informative companion; letting me tag along on some of his pursuits. Finally made it out to Guadelupe Canyon, where the dynamiting of the landscape, bulldozing of river beds and nearly complete obstruction of the jaguar migratory path is palpable. Here are a few snapshots: looking east, then west, John in the frame for scale. 3: from the windy view at the Arizona-New Mexico border in the Peloncillo Mountains. 4: a creek up high in the hills beckons...I dream of a meander and a peaceful day at camp, but first, back to the work!
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