We made it back to Saint Paul on Monday evening after a grueling four day drive from Arizona. I learned a new word on our first day of the journey back home, Haboob.
These pictures were taken during some of the better driving conditions when I could actually take my hand off of the wheel for a second. Haboobs aren’t as fun as the word would imply, they’re basically sand blizzards and we drove through one most of the way between Flagstaff, Arizona and Guymon, Oklahoma.
Winds were gusting at near hurricane levels and blowing clouds of sand and dust. Visibility was down to just a few feet at some points in the drive.
Despite the ice storm on the way down to Arizona and the haboob on the way back the two months away were cleansing, recharging, and inspirational.
Here is a montage of photos and video clips we took during our stay in the gorgeous Southwest.
On the brighter side, we made some great memories in Sedona this year. We enjoyed our time there. My brother and I also found a very peaceful spot in the red rock desert to spread our Father’s ashes. My Dad would have loved Sedona and now, when we return to visit in the winter time we can go visit his resting place as well.
I find myself missing the beauty, the nature, and the wide open space of Sedona. Although everything here in Minnesota is still brown, cold, and dirty spring will come soon and we’ll have the good fortune of experiencing Spring twice.
Life now beckons and there are many goals to achieve in 2022 and I’m ready to get busy. This trip was a good reminder that we travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.
“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” - Gustave Flaubert
I hope you've enjoyed this glimpse of the American Southwest!
Eric
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(Photos are original.)
Poetry should move us, it should change us, it should glitch our brains, shift our moods to another frequency. Poetry should evoke feelings of melancholy, whimsy, it should remind us what it feels like to be in love, or cause us to think about something in a completely different way. I view poetry, and all art really, as a temporary and fragile bridge between our world and a more pure and refined one. This is a world we could bring into creation if enough of us believed in it. This book is ephemera, destined to end up forgotten, lingering on some dusty shelf or tucked away in a dark attic. Yet the words, they will live on in memory. I hope these words become a part of you, bubble up into your memory when you least expect them to and make you feel a little more alive.
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You'll want to replace your car's engine air filter and probably the cabin filter too
Absolutely! We have an appointment with Tuan Auto first thing Monday morning. I'm sure the engine air filter is like sandpaper.
Did the storm do any damage to the paint on your car? I'd have to imagine it was a bit like a sand blaster! Was it a rental or your Prius? Better trade it in fast before they change their mind! I bet you were excited to get home and play with your new Tesla! I am glad you made it home safe.
Thank you @bozz! I don't know how it couldn't have scratched the paint but we haven't washed it yet. The front of the Subaru Forrester has paint protection film so at least that'll be protected but the wind was mostly gusting from the side. I cannot wait for the Tesla but, unfortunately, they've pushed my delivery estimate to Aug 1 - Sept 12. I just sold the Prius today so I'll have to manage this summer without a vehicle.
That is a bummer about the Tesla. I guess that will make it all the sweeter when you get it.
Yeah, we still have the one vehicle and we're both here at home so between the Subby and my bike it should work out fine. It's odd to think this will be the first summer I've gone without a car since I've been 16. Some people who've placed orders are reporting that Tesla is telling them their cars are ready way before their estimated delivery dates too. My fingers are crossed that I won't have to get used to driving the car in the winter.
Oh yeah, that would be no fun. Have you done any research on how they are supposed to handle in the ice and snow?
The version I got, the long range Model 3, is AWD so it is supposed to perform pretty well. I hope it does better than the Prius. The hard rubber hybrid tires had low rolling resistance but were horrendous on snow.
This killed me. Superbly put, my friend <3 I'm so happy you got to go on this journey, and especially that you came back so positive!
Thanks! We had so many cool experiences there. The time with my brother and his family was really nice. Those five days were the most time we've spent together all at once for almost twenty years.
All the more precious, then <3
Cactus in flower a revitalizing feeling from each one, short blooming, like life never escape getting out of our comfort zone to experience what is out there...
Haboob a nice word to detail ones feelings driving through dust storms like that, hope the car paint is not sandpapered badly!
Lovely memories of your Dad a place to return with more reason!
@tipu curate
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That was the very first time I saw one of those kinds of cacti bloom. It was a sight to behold. I'm almost afraid to get the truck washed to see the real condition of the paint. My brother and I both feel so much better now that we've put my Dad's remains to rest in such a beautiful, peaceful place.
Petals are so delicate one is astounding knowing the tough conditions they survive in.
Always a good feeling once your able to find the right place, somewhere you know you will return to share memories over years to come.
Never fun driving through sand storms like that, hopefully minimal damage!
They are definitely survivors. This will definitely be our winter spot for many years to come. : )
Always enjoy absolute silence, much life in dry regions, most think there is nothing out there, quite the contrary.
We saw a program on TV a while back about the dust storms, it looks really scary! Did any of the fine dust seep into the car?
We experienced the opposite here with cyclonic weather and devastating mudslides!
However, what a different and interesting world Sedona is, those mountain ranges and rock formations look stunning!
We really do live in a beautiful world, but spending time with family we don't often see, makes a journey like that even more special!
Laying your Dad's ashes to rest together with your brother will always make that part of the world a sacred place, a final goodbye to a special man.
I really enjoyed going along on the journey to a very different but beautiful world, your video is a wonderful memento of a very special time!
So true, we need to 'escape' from our little world every so often to expand our horizons and really experience life!
None of the sand/dust made it past the weather stripping into the car but I took it to the mechanic for an oil and air filter change and he said the air filter was caked with it.
We had lots of tornadoes in Ohio when I lived there, they're no fun! There sure are some beautiful spots out there. The American southwest is amongst the most beautiful landscapes I've seen yet.
Part of me is much more at peace knowing my Dad's ashes are in such a special place. It felt like it was meant to be. We know exactly where it's at and it's on protected land so we should be able to go back and visit for many years to come.
So glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks Lizelle.
We travel to get the joy of life. The pandemic has almost come to an end. I hope it won't get worse than now in fall and winter and we will be able travel as before.
Good travelling!
Thank you! Yes, they've officially declared the pandemic to be over here in the US just today.
Words describe feelings, emotions and memories. You wield them so skillfully that it makes you experience your journey with you. There is something magical about traveling: you leave one person and return a completely different one.” — Keith Douglas Wiggen
That quote is totally true!
I love travelling as well to experience new places and also see lovely things during the journey.
Traveling is good for mind and health also. Knowing the unknown things is the best feeling in the world. Seems you had a great time. Good day.
Thanks, it was an awesome trip.
What a very pleasant trip, Eric. In the middle of the desert there is a cactus in bloom. I rarely see cactus flowers. I think the cactus flower is incredibly beautiful. In each of your posts I always look for Amstel. .He is so cute with his long ears. Have a nice day, Eric.
Thank you. I really was a welcomed break. I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that the cactus was blooming. The blossom was only fully open one day. Amstel is a charmer! He wins people over wherever we go. : ) Have a wonderful Friday my friend!
I had to look up the meaning of haboob. It was not implied anything for me, and this is the first time when I hear it. I am glad that we do not have this weather phenomenon in my country (in Hungary).
Stay healthy, stay safe.
Have a nice day. All the best. Greetings and much love from Hungary.
The word was new to me as well! I hope to never have to drive in one again. Thank you, my friend. I hope you've had a fabulous week!
The cactus with white flower is looking very beautiful. Really poetry should move us, it should change us, it should glitch our brains, shift our moods to another frequency. Poetry should evoke feelings of melancholy, whimsy, it should remind us what it feels like to be in love, if poetry doesn't give us these things it might be not as good as it can be.
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Reblog your posting dear sir