We drove down Ruby Road the other day to the west, off the pavement and along the border, through canyons and valleys. Beautiful country. We passed the historic ghost town of Ruby, a one time mining community in about 1903. The gate is always closed and locked. But, not this time. We backed up, read the historic sign, which says "Do not enter if gate is closed". The gate was wide open. In we went.
If you ever have the opportunity to tour Ruby, skip it. It is nothing but junk. Nothing restored, nothing worth restoring. The dirt road ends at the mine tailings which spread out like an unusually hard packed white sand beach, right on the side of a lake. The lake is beautiful, blue and clear. No algae grows in it. No water birds wade in the shallows. The only life visible was an old hippy who peered out at us from an old, fallen in house on the edge of the tailings. He had a camper and a picnic table set up on the white "sands."
This seemed too strange. We turned around and headed out. Half way back to the gate we were stopped by a man in a very old pick-up truck. Probably newer than 1903, but apparently exposed at some point to acid rain as all the paint was gone and the metal was rusting away--hard to date the vehicle accurately.
A man jumped out and came over to the car window. He was a skinny, wiry man wearing only a ragged pair of cut-offs. He was the color and texture of hardwood, maybe mahogany, left much too long in the sun. But most impressive were his hair and mustache. He had long, gray rasta hair.
Very very rasta--lots of it going about halfway down his skinny back.
His mustache was huge, also rasta.
I was amazed, mesmerized. The thought that this creature had at one time been someone's round, pink baby boy flitted through my mind, but the long fuzz growing across his shoulders and down his bony spine pushed that thought aside. A modern day Robinson Crusoe shipwrecked on an island of his own making?
I am afraid I stared as he ranted at us about trespassing and ordered us out--OUT and don't ever come back.
I wonder if repeat offenders end up at the bottom of the lake.
Scary thought!
We enjoyed a nice ride home.
Wishing you all a Merry Merry Christmas. We are in Phoenix to help Mike's mom move into a new apartment and to spend Christmas with the kids who are in the area! I wish you were all here!
Christmas is coming--today was the first really cold day. (I know, cold is relative!)
The full nine foot Southwest Christmas tree. This is what you get in the desert! 
View from the back door
View from the front door
Baby tortoises at Charlies, under the red heat lamp--only a few of his brood. . . .
View from the driveway into the garage!
And here I am: See the car isn't all that small.
Why does Elder Wilcox look so big??
Am I having fun here? Yes I am!
Here is San Cayetano about an hour ago--October 6, 2009 at 9 in the morning. What is with our weather--we have passed the rainy season, at least on the calender!
This is the pit BBQ being heated up before adding the beef, the pork, the chickens . . .
Here is my baby sister and her husband posing by their pit barbeque. Umm, umm good!
New blossoms in the rain!
Pre-rainstorm cholla and bird nest. What a brave little critter!
Life will out!
You should really read this blog from bottom to top since that is the way the week ran. Enjoy.
Oh do be careful!! It is the Gorgeous Megan approaching the gorge.
Life is beautiful just north of Flagstaff!!
Then on to Flagstaff, Megan's and Sunset Crater. By now it's Wednesday!
A stop in Tucson for Birthday Pizza, Calzone and Pasta with Steven (also Mini and Justin) Steven's haircut complements of Charlie.
Back in the USA we hurried past Tumacacori National Park, just snapping a picture over the wall!! Nice picture Seung Hee!!
Of course we went snorkeling to view puffer fish, tiger fish, electric blues, star fish, octupi and sea urchins. Ouch!
The ocean was gorgeous, the water was warm, the condo was comfortable, and on the beach!
August 4th Elder Matute was leaving for home after nearly 8 months here. We held a little barbecue going away party and birthday party. A fun-for-all. . .
Lots of people came; family, old friend and new!
sixty and still reflecting on the future. Megan, the purple pants are for you--the young and gorgeous look!
Pipevine swallowtail on the peach tree
Tomatoes everywhere, also pipevine growing like mad this year from seeds planted 3 years ago
Still there. Poser!
The neighbors boys came down to help me pull weeds and move dirt. . . .
Isn't it gorgeous? I'm going to let it dry and plant some more!
Is this a rattle snake or is this Megan planning her next Scrabble tactic? Hmmm. Hard to tell.
