The Atlatl Petroglyph

 Heather wanted to show me a special petroglyph called an atlatl, which is a spear thrower and a hunting tool that was invented as far back as the Upper Paleolithic period in Europe, approximately 17,000 years ago. 

Seven years ago, Heather and her friend discovered the petroglyph near Kanab, Utah, and she took me to the area to see if we could find it. We primarily followed a deer trail through the loose red dirt, which crossed a few washes and was sprinkled with junipers, pinyon trees, and sagebrush. 

Once we arrived at the spot, we searched up and down the red panel rocks but found no sign of the petroglyph. Nevertheless, Heather discovered the most beautiful petrified tree trunk I have ever seen! I found some remarkable rocks to take back with me. If there had been more daylight, we might have been able to locate it. We plan to return and see if we can find it on our next visit.

Petrified wood

A little shard from the red rock desert

 As I sit here, I await inspiration, my gaze fixed on the mesas of the Bunting/Spur Trail in front of me. I hear a scrub jay—another little sound twitting. The colors around me subtly shift with the changing light. I finish my cigarette and put it out in the red dirt beneath me. A bird flaps its wings as it flies by. I realize I don’t have my phone; I want to capture this moment with a picture. An insect buzzes past my ear, and I hear a woodpecker tapping away—though it could just as easily be a neighbor hammering something.

A motorcycle engine is roaring on the street behind me. I'm unable to reach for my phone to record any of this. I shift my attention to the far right part of the mesa and see an American flag gently waving in the breeze. The sun hangs low to my left, the air pleasant, mostly still, with occasional waves of breeze. I don't see any critters moving about. The motor of the motorcycle is still behind me. The woodpecker is certainly tapping away. 

An airplane flies overhead, breaking my thoughts. In my peripheral vision, I spot a tiny black bug flying as I continue to write. Is this a form of meditation that I'm describing, or is it my ADD? I decide to go home to retrieve my phone. Once I have it, I take the picture.

Jackson Flat Reservoir - Kanab, Utah

 

The Jackson Flat Reservoir opened in the spring of 2012 after 15 years of planning and 19 months of construction. Living in the desert, it can be tricky to figure out where water is most needed, especially with how dry everything is lately. One of the coolest surprises about the reservoir is that it has become a migration route for birds! The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has put Jackson Flat Reservoir on its resource page for seeing migrating birds in Utah. You can find more information on the reservoir here: https://kcwcd.com/jackson-flat-reservoir/

Recently, my friend Sierra and I had a fantastic day out there using my bird app and her binoculars. We had such a great time trying to identify all the different birds! It’s just another delightful gem in Southern Utah. 

From the bird app Merlin Bird ID

"Archaeological excavations unearthed the remains of at least 54 individuals during the construction of Jackson Flat Dam and Reservoir near Kanab, Utah. These were identified as Native American remains, with KSL.com noting the deep concern among Native American tribes about the disturbance of the site."