"ARROYO"

A dry channel through which water flows intermittently and irregularly. Kind of like this blog.

My art is an infectious need for me, sometimes a burden but most often a blessing.

This blog is about me and my obsessions, my loves, my need to create and my need of JUNK. I'm addicted to thrift stores, estate sales, flea markets and all roads leading off the beaten track to discover that perfect piece of junk. I recycle old license plates, old shovels, wheelbarrows, saw blades and anything else that's funky using my hand held plasma cutter. I love working with steel, sculpting, photography, watercolor painting, stained glass, and turning everyday utilitarian objects into art. Junked cars ~ I will always veer off the path to search out the beautiful wrecked Arroyo JunKers throughout Arizona, New Mexico and anywhere else the road may lead. When I'm not searching for those JunKers
I ~ RESURRECT ~ STEEL

Sunday, July 22, 2012

The Treasure was the Journey

What a beautiful weekend it was - storms clouds, rain, sun and the beautiful Sonoran Desert!  For those of you who have never experienced the Southwest and the High Desert I'll show you why so many love this beautiful state of Arizona.... 

We headed out to our property in the High Desert to gather GOLD..... 
well ok I may have just exaggerated just a bit... it was to get some old barbed wire that has been on our property for more years than I could possible guess  - rolled about 300 feet - mission accomplished. Guess I'll have plenty more when I need it... maybe 2000+ more feet to go!

We love this property and it's beauty, open space, story book clouds and wonderful history. We had plans when we bought this land to build our dream home with the rich history that surrounded us especially our "little Hill".  In the early 1870's a one armed U.S. Army general met with Cochise, a famous Apache chief, in an area on the eastern side of the Dragoon Mountains known as "Council Rocks'.  In this half mile wide bowl, surrounded by tall balancing boulders, the general and Cochise made a treaty regarding a reservation for the Apaches.  As the General and his small Army detachment left the meeting and headed back to their fort, Cochise had a large white flag erected on top of "Treaty Hill".  It could be seen for up to a hundred miles in most directions and notified his small bands of warriors about his success with the treaty.... and to not attack the solder on their way home.

This is our view of "Treaty Hill" from our beautiful 40 acres of property we were going to build on.... sadly we are not going to see that dream come true.  The housing market has not made it a wise choice anymore.
 but ever time I go back there it pull's at my heart strings.   Who knows if we can't sell it, we just may make up our minds!

So after our little "treasure hunt" we decided to just CRUZ..... and so we did.  The desert seemed to be more beautiful than ever especially after the Monsoon rains cleansed and nourished it. So follow me and I'll take you on a little CRUZ thru this beautiful Desert.......

Majestic Saguaro - they stand like guards in the desert


 Prickly Pear Cactus 
Makes wonderful Jelly (just make sure you get all the thorns out first!)

 We encountered Desert Creatures - Oh My!
Desert Spiny Lizard

 Almost ran over this guy - Gopher Snake

 Bird of Paradise (even though it's a flower)

 Roadrunner Nesting

 Rock Formations

Ocotillo - in full bloom

Mesquite Tree Grove

Met an old Indian Squaw - been shot thru the chest....
my friends all I can say is 
The Wild Wild West... It Ain't for Sissies!

8 comments:

Jerry Carlin said...

SOOZEE, I've done this trip in my youth, fast and not looking, the desert appeared the same and barren. How blind I was, thank you for the slower journey and the stops along the way!

Kay said...

so beautiful...I used to be a desert rat when I was young...now I long to get back there..

bohemiannie! art said...

Beautiful shots!

SooZeQue said...

Jerry-get that TomTom out and see it again!
K-Thanks fellow Desert Rat. :)
BoHe - Thanks!!

stregata said...

Thanks for sharing your view of the desert - this is as close as I will probably ever get to it...
Now I am wondering what you are going to create with the barbed wire...

Barry said...

SZQ - what mixed emotions this post created. Whilst I was delighted to be along for the ride and the collection of the rusted and historical barbed wire (one of Fiona's tools of trade) - I was saddened to read that you are not able to build on this land that means so much and has such history. My spirit reaches out to you in such challenging times. May you continue to see the beauty in the landscape and may you continue to create and be well. B

SooZeQue said...

S - I'm still trying to figure out what I'll create also!
BS - Maybe someday all will work out. But I shall endeavor to keep creating!

Lela said...

Just found your blog through the Flags for Peace project. Your work is beautiful!

Takin' the back road from Greer to Morenci was gorgeous. This was waiting at the end.

Takin' the back road from Greer to Morenci was gorgeous.  This was waiting at the end.
Alpine Cliff Jumper

Don't you just love bugs! My first car.... but RED.

Don't you just love bugs!  My first car.... but RED.
Lamy, NM

This was a great old Studebaker Truck in Lamy, NM . It has seen better days. I love Lamy,

This was a great old Studebaker Truck in Lamy, NM .  It has seen better days.  I love Lamy,
Studebaker in Lamy, NM