Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Donkey Quest 2016

Nevada! I love Nevada!
We went to Southern Nevada to flee the snowy weather and because there are more wild horses and burros there than in any other state. We set out to find some.
It rained off and on the whole time we were there. Rain in the desert....pertichor, the earthy scent. Creosote and dirt. Is there an aroma more fresh and wonderful?
Nevada means 'snow-covered' in Spanish. When actually, it is the driest state in the U.S.
A souvenir. I found this tile coaster depicting the scene exactly how I remember it. (Well, minus the burro) Now I can dream every morning while having my coffee.
The Desert Bighorn Sheep is the official state animal. They are smaller than the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep but have a wider horn spread. They use their impressive horns as tools to break open cactus, which they consume, and for fighting.
Bighorn sheep in Nevada are thriving. The species is doing so well that some are shipped to other parts of the country to replenish herds that were wiped out decades ago.
There are 300 plus mountain ranges in Nevada. More than any other state!
Nevada is nicknamed "the silver state" but is the largest gold-producing state in the U.S.
Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area was shrouded in fog and clouds. Sometimes the sun peeked through, but mostly we walked in a misty rain. The area offers one of the most scenic drives, miles of hiking trails, petroglyphs, and abundant plants and animals. If you hike up the mountain, there are ponderosa pines and waterfalls. The Mojave Desert is absolutely glorious.
I walked away from there with tears in my eyes.
There was a black spot high up on a hill. With my camera, I zoomed in to the max, trying to hold steady in the breeze. I couldn't get a good focus but I clicked the shutter once and went on my way in hopes of seeing a burro at closer range.
I didn't look at this picture until I got back home. Sure enough, that WAS a wild donkey! And if you look to the right and up a bit, you will see a sweet little grey burro who looks like the trunk of a Yucca!
Sadly, these two creatures were the only ones I got a glimpse of on our quest to find burros.
Ah, the exquisite work of The Plume. No one, no one, has more creative talent than she. Here, I am graced in honor and deep respect for 'Primitive Horse'.
This is that same "black dot" of a donkey. Isn't he precious?
Anasazi rock art at Valley Of Fire State Park

We tried to get as close to the Muddy Mountains as possible in the VW Beetle we rented. The burros make the trek from the mountains to Lake Mead to drink. People we spoke to say "we see them all the time." For five days we drove around in the rain looking for them.

As Chad drove, I kept repeating the mantra: "Come on little donkey."

 

24 comments:

  1. The scenery is stunning....rain and fog in the desert, nothing like it truly. When I lived in San Diego I'd make it a weekly habit to visit Anza Borrego early morning..I never saw big animals but the desert plants were incredible.
    Thanks for sharing, the scenery again is truly beautiful. xx

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    1. It really, really is a marvelous place!
      I live in a beautiful state, I adore New Mexico, but I want to MOVE to Nevada! It brought out so much emotion for me there.
      I bet those days at Anza Borrego were heavenly...that area!! :)
      x

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  2. i'm beginning to feel i am more a burro sort of girl than a horse girl.

    beautiful photos.

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    1. I should not be replying to you but I am so with you...after years of riding I discovered burros, and they are incredible! : )

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  3. That's it, I'm dropping everything and driving to Nevada!

    Your photos are like paintings. This was a fun journey, love the little grey yucca donkey!

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    1. I'll meet you there, Clare!
      That's what we call them now...yucca donks. Haha!
      Thanks for the kind words. :)
      x

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  4. What a fun trip! Wish you'd seen more donkeys, but that means another trip sometime, right? I love the donkey signs and the pictographs. Very cool. You're gonna have to go to Oatman, AZ to see the wild donkeys!

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    1. I'm already planning a road trip to the northern parts of Nevada this summer.
      Battle mountain, Jarbridge area...my dad has some exciting stories about that area, from when he used to take my mother through there! Ha! I'll tell you about it in a letter, Diana. ;)
      Oh, I've been to Oatman to see the burros....back in the late 80's! At the time, the mercantile was selling licorice, of all awful things, to hand feed the burros. Now I guess they sell healthier snacks for them. :)
      x

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  5. that Red Rock Canyon with fog and clouds! a dreamscape, I think! and those little donks-- if they'd had any idea how much it would have meant to you I'm sure they would have rounded up their friends and posed as something other than yucca trunks. it looks like you had a wonderful time, and you did escape the snow, after all. you had two swell holiday adventures! I look forward to your educational and entertaining posts, all the more now that I know the electric, infectious energy you bring to your experiences. you do so much to promote the wildlands and their innocent inhabitants. xx

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    1. After reading any comment from you, I always stand a little taller, I breathe a sigh of relief, of confidence, of content, that someone could know me so well and pay the utmost compliment, to make me smile a mile wide.
      I treasure you.
      x

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  6. such an incredible trip ... your images captured are amazing.

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    1. Deb, I like it when you visit me. Thanks very much!
      I love the weavings you did and then hung on trees!
      So inspiring and unique, you are. :)

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  7. Those burros....they are sweet little things. It seems you have found magic in the Nevada desert....the landscapes, the wild rocks, the little burros.
    I'm thinking you'll return to this place,, and the burros will be waiting!
    xx

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    1. Those little burros cannot hide from me!!
      Really looking forward to my next adventure to Nevada. Heading north this time. Where the wild horses are. :)
      x

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  8. I LOVED all of this. Nevada, gets in your soul. The mountains, the sage (in summer) - it's so crazy cool there and I'm glad your experience was so rich with the desert's treasures! I did not know that Nevada meant snow covered. Ha! Also, last summer I plucked some of that creosote and now I can enjoy the smell of the desert,,,, agreed it is marvelous. The wide-horned rams!!! Swoon. Te necklace - it's perfect and perfect for you, Prairie Sister. xo

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    1. I sure miss you...
      Will you go wilding with me this summer?
      xo

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  9. Wow, I had no idea Nevada is such a beautiful place! I'm so amazed. That definitely looks like a place I need to visit some day :) I'm so happy you got to go on this wonderful vacation, even though the burros weren't cooperating ;)
    I hope you are doing well!
    Have a wonderful day!
    Lots of hugs to you,
    Beate

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    1. Nevada is the kind of place that lingers in your mind long after you return home. It's one of my favorite places, obviously.
      You and Keith are probably due for a trip to America soon, yah?
      Is he homesick at all? Are you finished with University?
      Keep me posted when you plan your Yellowstone trip. :))
      Good to see you, Beate. Hello to K for me!

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  10. So beautiful! It's been about 7 years since I've been to Nevada and your pictures brought back so many wonderful memories.

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    1. I'm so glad!
      Maybe it's time you go back to visit the beauty of Nevada! :)
      Thanks for stopping by, Emily.

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  11. I came over from Jillians blog and see how beautiful yours is as well. Wonderful to see such beauty in your photos. I will be back.
    Xo
    Dagmar

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    1. Dagmar! Thank you for taking a peek at my world.
      Frankly, I've still got saffron robes, smiling monks and Thailand sunrises on my mind... ;)

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  12. Once again such beautiful photos. I visite Nevada on the way to Vegas about 10 years ago and found it amazing. We on,y saw the landscape as we drove through but how lovely X

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