Yesterday was a much needed, relaxing, and fun day of adventure. I stayed two nights at the Best Western in Wendover so that I could go day tripping without a load. Speaking of tripping, why is the desert so conducive to taking hallucinogens? I have pondered this question for the last couple of days as I have been doing a lot of riding in the California/Nevada/Utah Deserts. Yesterday, it occurred to me that perhaps it's because our perspective is already compromised -- or at least different. I see mirages in the desert, my imagination goes into overdrive, my sense of smell is heightened -- if there was even an inkling of shade -- I'd sit and just breathe in the aromatic sage. Then there is the stillness, yet at the same time, movement is faster without seeming so. Without a load, I found myself going much faster yesterday than I am normally comfortable with and yet I felt like I was barely moving. There is nothing to use as a gauge for speed. And then there are the clouds --- the day before yesterday, I saw a spaceship in the clouds. Yesterday, in one cloud, I saw the flying dragon from "The NeverEnding Story", my Doberman, Jackson lying on his back, and then a baby chick.
Anyway, back to my day. Visiting the "Sun Tunnels" has been on my bucket list for a few years now. I don't remember how/where I even heard of them, but when I did, I knew I had to go. They are four concrete tubes laid out in an X. Two line up with the rising and setting sun of the summer solstice and two with the winter solstice. Each tube has varying diameter holes drilled into them, forming four constellations that you can see inside the tubes in daylight. Draco, Perseus, Columbia, and Capricorn. Nancy Holt finished the installation in 1976. She purchased 40 acres outside of Lucin, Utah -- an abandoned railroad community, now a ghost town --- in the Great Basin Desert. The only thing even close is a big ranch that you can barely see in the distance. The roads in are dirt, gravel and sand. Basically close to 13 miles one way. No road signs and lots of spurs. There were small artfully done signs that let me know I was on the right track. Very reassuring! I was super careful -- only one other time have I gone off road by myself -- that was in the Great Smoky Mtn. NP -- but there was shade, and I had camping gear and fire starters with me. I felt very exposed on this trip in. I kept repeating to myself the lessons I had been taught by Shawn Thomas at "RawHyde" and just recently practiced with Trevor and some sisters off-road in Kodachrome State Park. Once there, I was so excited. Stormy and I had done it!! This artwork had been on my radar for a reason --- inside the tunnels was so cool - temperature wise. I just sat and looked out. Peace. No one else around. Nothingness but light coming through drilled holes forming a pattern. Looking out the round tunnel brought the sky and the earth into the same frame. It was the first time I have really reacted to an outside art installation and it is something I want to do again.
Then we had to go back. HA! Directionally challenged as I am, you would think I would remember even the first road I came in on. I originally started in the right direction, but then doubted myself, turned around and went about a mile down another road -- no didn't feel right, my head was turned to see the tunnels coming in -- eventually, I figured it out -- but I added a couple of miles and some anxiety to the trip.
Once back on pavement, I was feeling quite full of myself. Off to the Bonneville Salt Flats and The Bonneville Speedway. Erin Hunter Sills had been on the "Sisters Ride". Beautiful, well spoken, sincere and supportive. I was inspired to see where she made and broke records.
Fun to go out on the salt. Saw all kinds of donuts -- guess who I thought of? Both of my sons, boy would they have had some fun.
Met a young man from Florida, Jeremy and his mostly Harley motorcycle, "Grandpa". He was from Florida, had ridden to Santa Cruz to see family and was on his way home via SLC to get a front fork fixed. He had hit a metal highway pole --- he was lucky he only needed a front fork replaced. His nickname was J-Bird. I loved that.
Stopped in at the Salt Flats Cafe because apparently you just have to, and then headed to Historic Wendover Field, a WWII Army Air Force base. Just thought I'd take some photos for Jay. ( See FB for photos ).
Misc. Thoughts
Wonder what the numbers are -- ATV's per person in Nevada
Anyway, back to my day. Visiting the "Sun Tunnels" has been on my bucket list for a few years now. I don't remember how/where I even heard of them, but when I did, I knew I had to go. They are four concrete tubes laid out in an X. Two line up with the rising and setting sun of the summer solstice and two with the winter solstice. Each tube has varying diameter holes drilled into them, forming four constellations that you can see inside the tubes in daylight. Draco, Perseus, Columbia, and Capricorn. Nancy Holt finished the installation in 1976. She purchased 40 acres outside of Lucin, Utah -- an abandoned railroad community, now a ghost town --- in the Great Basin Desert. The only thing even close is a big ranch that you can barely see in the distance. The roads in are dirt, gravel and sand. Basically close to 13 miles one way. No road signs and lots of spurs. There were small artfully done signs that let me know I was on the right track. Very reassuring! I was super careful -- only one other time have I gone off road by myself -- that was in the Great Smoky Mtn. NP -- but there was shade, and I had camping gear and fire starters with me. I felt very exposed on this trip in. I kept repeating to myself the lessons I had been taught by Shawn Thomas at "RawHyde" and just recently practiced with Trevor and some sisters off-road in Kodachrome State Park. Once there, I was so excited. Stormy and I had done it!! This artwork had been on my radar for a reason --- inside the tunnels was so cool - temperature wise. I just sat and looked out. Peace. No one else around. Nothingness but light coming through drilled holes forming a pattern. Looking out the round tunnel brought the sky and the earth into the same frame. It was the first time I have really reacted to an outside art installation and it is something I want to do again.
Then we had to go back. HA! Directionally challenged as I am, you would think I would remember even the first road I came in on. I originally started in the right direction, but then doubted myself, turned around and went about a mile down another road -- no didn't feel right, my head was turned to see the tunnels coming in -- eventually, I figured it out -- but I added a couple of miles and some anxiety to the trip.
Once back on pavement, I was feeling quite full of myself. Off to the Bonneville Salt Flats and The Bonneville Speedway. Erin Hunter Sills had been on the "Sisters Ride". Beautiful, well spoken, sincere and supportive. I was inspired to see where she made and broke records.
Fun to go out on the salt. Saw all kinds of donuts -- guess who I thought of? Both of my sons, boy would they have had some fun.
Met a young man from Florida, Jeremy and his mostly Harley motorcycle, "Grandpa". He was from Florida, had ridden to Santa Cruz to see family and was on his way home via SLC to get a front fork fixed. He had hit a metal highway pole --- he was lucky he only needed a front fork replaced. His nickname was J-Bird. I loved that.
Stopped in at the Salt Flats Cafe because apparently you just have to, and then headed to Historic Wendover Field, a WWII Army Air Force base. Just thought I'd take some photos for Jay. ( See FB for photos ).
Misc. Thoughts
Wonder what the numbers are -- ATV's per person in Nevada
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