Our closest neighbors, on the same side of the road as us, are the Brambletts. They are only about ten miles from us but by road it takes 30-45 minutes to get to their home. We had been invited up several times but just never found the time to go until a few weeks ago. It was a trip well worth it.
The view was amazing as we climbed Eagle Mountain to the Bramblett's home. Their road was long and windy but it was enjoyable. We had never been there so a few times we even thought we may be lost. Upon arrival we were greeted by a ranch hand who let us into the home.
Jerry immediately came out to greet us and called to Kit who was glad we had come. We sat and talked for a bit and Kit told us a few stories about his life and his home. He then started to tell us the story of Red Light. I don't remember exactly how we got off track but somehow we did and the story was not finished. About a week later I had the opportunity to sit and talk with him again and this time I learned why the area we live in is called the Red Light Draw.
Red Light is actually a well with, from what I have been told by everyone, the best water around. The water there is supposed to be sweet and pure. I was told that the water that comes from the ground is usually salty here and that is why water is brought in from Van Horn but the water from Red Light is that of legends. The well was built a very long time ago before the west was tamed and they would go out at night and light a lantern which shown a bright red light. They felt that being red pioneers could see it from miles around as they came through the mountain passes and into the valley. This would show them the way to water. Today, I don't think people would advertise free water to strangers. I love how people were respectful of life and others and I wish we could return to the days of old when things were just that way.
This is a record of our adventures in the Chihuahuan Desert. We decided to try a new way of life...
Showing posts with label cactus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cactus. Show all posts
Friday, September 21, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
My Own Corner
I have been working on a space that I can call my own. A quiet place (as if that isn't everywhere in the desert) that I can use for work. I had brought some flat rocks that I collected at Robert Jenkins house when the Colorado was running low and decided these would be the base for my zen garden.
I placed a small bird bath in the middle; one that I could fill with less than a gallon of water. So far it seems that the honey bees carry away most of the water by the end of the day. The rest of the water disappears as I watch birds dive in and fly away again.
There has been some changes since this picture was taken so I will have to update it when the garden is complete. I have added several cactus that I placed in what I call the relocation program. Basically, any cactus that must be moved due to work being done in the yard.
I plan on adding a bench and some type of wall to the area but I have not decided yet if it will be made of rock or wood. It started out as a five foot circle guarded on three sides by yuccas but it has now expanded to an area of about a quarter acre. Much larger than I had originally needed but when plants must be moved and can still be saved, why not!
I placed a small bird bath in the middle; one that I could fill with less than a gallon of water. So far it seems that the honey bees carry away most of the water by the end of the day. The rest of the water disappears as I watch birds dive in and fly away again.
There has been some changes since this picture was taken so I will have to update it when the garden is complete. I have added several cactus that I placed in what I call the relocation program. Basically, any cactus that must be moved due to work being done in the yard.
I plan on adding a bench and some type of wall to the area but I have not decided yet if it will be made of rock or wood. It started out as a five foot circle guarded on three sides by yuccas but it has now expanded to an area of about a quarter acre. Much larger than I had originally needed but when plants must be moved and can still be saved, why not!
Labels:
bird bath,
birds,
cactus,
colorado river,
desert,
honey bees,
rock,
zen garden
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