An older man travels over sea and land in quest of new adventures
Baboquivari
Can you smell the smoke? It’s mesquite. There is a campfire at my right elbow. A breeze blows the heat my way as well as a fine shower of ashes. Above me, through the still-bare limbs of a Mexican Blue Oak, the desert stars throb with a spectacular energy. Towering over me, a mile above, are the stark black cliffs and peaks of Baboquivari. Until a few minutes ago they still held an eerie glow from the distant sunset.
Have you ever felt excitement and peace all at once? I am here, finally, after dreaming of it for five years; and I’ll be back! This is a sacred place to the local Tohono O’odham indigenous people whose history here goes back at least 12,000 years. Other native nations in the American Southwest have successfully declared themselves sovereign states, complete with their own passports which you are required to have to enter their land.
The Tohono embrace you as a visitor to their hallowed mountain. Shinto priests have come from Japan to meditate here. I understand that, I can feel why. The resident guide/caretaker, James, welcomed me and issued me with a free permit as well as telling me where to hike to find some secret places. I will rest here for a day or two. I would stay longer if there were good company to share this with. On my bucket list, coming here was very near the top. I have been summoned since I first saw this place five years ago from the lookout on Kitt Peak. It will take more than one blog to complete this essay.
“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” …Oliver Wendell Holmes
Fred is a slightly-past middle age sailor / writer / photographer with plenty of eclectic hands-on skills and experiences. Some would describe him as the old hippy who doesn't know the war is over. He is certainly reluctant to grow up and readily admits to being the eternal dreamer.
He has written several books including two novels, 'The Keeper' and 'Storm Ecstasy,' as well as 'The Water Rushing By', 'Sins Of The Fathers', 'The Magic Stick', as well as an extensive inventory of poetry, essays, short stories, anecdotes and photographs.
His first passion is the ocean, sailboats, voyaging and all those people who are similarly drawn to the sea. He lives aboard 'Seafire' the boat he is refitting to go voyaging, exploring new horizons both inner and outer. This blog is about that voyage and the preparations for it. In spite of the odds against it, the plan is to sail away this fall and lay a course southward. If you follow this blog your interest may provide some of the energy that helps fuel the journey.
Namaste
Contact him at svpaxboat@gmail.com
View all posts by Fred Bailey
4 thoughts on “Baboquivari”
Looks like a Curve Billed Thrasher to me. Look it up on the Cornell Lab website
Great pictures that accompany this great experience and always a wonderful quote that sums it all up – you look like you are having the time of your life Fred. I like the quaintness of these pictures … the antique car with the radio blaring, the huge cacti at the store – the mustang, the steer … all so unique to this part of the world. We’ll await the next installment.
Looks like a Curve Billed Thrasher to me. Look it up on the Cornell Lab website
Thanks. Yes I ‘have some bird books for this part of the world, I just need the time to sit and read them. I appreciate the help.
Best, Fred
Great pictures that accompany this great experience and always a wonderful quote that sums it all up – you look like you are having the time of your life Fred. I like the quaintness of these pictures … the antique car with the radio blaring, the huge cacti at the store – the mustang, the steer … all so unique to this part of the world. We’ll await the next installment.
Thanks Linda. The squirrel photo. Did you get it?