Nevada - December, 2008
...
.
A view of 'Valley of Fire'.
I've been to Joshua Tree N.P. a number of times -
It is a unique and stunning place.
V.O.F. is every bit as unique...but I guess since it's a 'state park',
it doesn't 'get the same respect' as JT.
I call this "rainbow rock", for all the varying colors.
No, there is no digital manipulation going on,
this is how it really appears, to anyone who stumbles upon it, or anything like it.
Valley of Fire
This is the staircase to 'Atlatl Rock' in Valley of Fire.
I've seen a postcard of what's up there, at the top of the staircase
(you can buy it at the visitor center)
but for someone who has a severe fear of heights (like me!)?
...this is impossibly scary!
In this case, it's not just a matter of height, but of sound!
Every step reverberates through the entire steel staircase structure!
At the first landing, I turned around.
('Better 'glyphs to be found elsewhere' I said to myself
and I wasn't wrong
... )
But this does pose some questions about petroglyphs...
So far, I've only seen a few that are at 'ground level'/ easy viewing distance.
Why are so many of these done far above what we would call 'normal viewing distance'?
(waaay up a canyon wall!)???
Perhaps whoever made these is not talking to anyone human, on the ground...
but to what they percieved to be a 'higher power'?
One thing I know for sure is that any people who can survive in a place like this,
are way stronger than you or I will ever be.
From what I could see, the platform at the top of the stairs does not put you at eye-level
with the glyphs, but somewhat below them.
And there seems to be a plexiglass panel, to prevent any tampering or vandalization.
A very neccessary arrangement.
I did take one very sad image this trip:
To Mr. or Ms. J.F. (and/or J.E.) Perkins:
I hope you encounter a slow and tortuous death, anytime soon,
the sooner the better!
May coyotes rip your flesh (while you are still partially alive, no less),
and ravens pick your bones.
May no one ever speak well of you - you deserve it.
I've had one recent visitor to this page who suggested an additional fate for the Perkins:
"May the fleas from a thousand camels find permanent refuge
upon the body confines of the azzholes Perkins."
Sounds good to me...
I think this should happen to them first,
and then, bring on the coyotes and ravens.
(You got any additional ideas? send 'em on down!
bobbennettphoto@yahoo.com)
The Native Americans were speaking to their sacred spirits!
You, on the other hand?, are just....
sick, stupid, sad... and have no respect for anything or anyone.
Tough as this land is, some things survive just fine.
..