Signs in the strangest desert

BoyNhisDog · Posted: 11/19/2006, 7:46 am Post subject: Signs in the strangest desert

After two days and two nights in one of the strangest deserts I have ever set foot in, this sign appeared. It seems to have been there some time with a bit of weathered disintegration. A portion of the right front leg is missing and some of the circle above has some damage as well but not all that much, just enough to make it perfect. The whole thing was meticulously done with the reptile made with stones that graduated from chocolate to a red center along the spine. Everything came from natural materials right at hand in the surrounding landscape. I wish I could find the artist but this is so remote that it would be like looking for a needle in a thousand haystacks.

Have you come across any signs on your journey?
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Hikngrl · Posted: 11/19/2006, 7:56 am Post subject:

I have come across many signs in my journey.... not always while I was hiking though.....
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BoyNhisDog · Posted: 11/19/2006, 8:09 am Post subject:

azbackpackr · Posted: 11/19/2006, 8:21 am Post subject:

OK, please forgive me for having such a prosaic and mundane point of view, but are you saying there are people nowadays (outside of Sedona, that is) that are going around putting "artworks" in random places out in the boonies? Why?

Don't get me wrong, I won't kick them apart if I find them, I just wonder at the motivation. Being of a prosaic turn of mind, as aforementioned, perhaps I just don't "get it?"

Hikngrl · Posted: 11/19/2006, 8:23 am Post subject:

Perhaps you don't need to "get it" perhaps you just enjoy it...
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azbackpackr · Posted: 11/19/2006, 8:25 am Post subject:

Oh, well, I guess that's a no-brainer! duh Smile

Hikngrl · Posted: 11/19/2006, 8:35 am Post subject:

wanderingsoul · Joined: 19 Jul 2004 Posts: 2285 Location: Gilbert AZ

That was really cool, someone stopped and took the time to express themselves. I've never really seen anything like these before, so I'll need to learn to be more observant on my hikes. I'm sure I miss alot of stuff along the way that one should take in as they are going. Some times I'm so oblivious Rolling Eyes

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RedRoxx44 · Queen of the Walkabout Joined: 15 Jan 2004 Posts: 1167

Excellent spotting Glen, sometimes the signs are meant for no one and everyone I think.

I've seen balanced rocks in Redfield Canyon, sticks and stones in Utah canyons, humanoid figure and dog from scrap metal and brush in a land of fantasia, and of course the signs put by the old ones on walls and boulders, in alcoves. It's everywhere. I myself have never been moved to such construction. Sometimes I admire it, mostly puzzled by it.
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azbackpackr · Posted: 11/19/2006, 9:00 am Post subject:

OK, does this fit in: I was hiking First Water trail several years ago--the only time I've ever hiked it (remember I don't live nearby). Anyway, along the trail in quite a few spots large rocks had been made to stand up in a rather precarious (and unsustainable) manner. It had been done deliberately, and had a kind of whimsical effect. The rocks that were chosen for this were generally long and narrow, so had a sort of tower effect when stood on end. They were mostly about 2 or 3 feet long and about a foot across in diameter. Pretty heavy, but not for a strong guy or two to maneuver into place. Your first reaction had to be, "Oh, wow, look at that, is that natural?" And then, "Oh, no way, someone did that on purpose!" Anyway, we thought it was amusing, and left them be.

Shawn · Posted: 11/19/2006, 9:23 am Post subject:

Very interesting Glen, thanks for sharing it.

There's an old not-so-memorable movie that touches on this. I believe Richard Crenna starred it in. What makes it on point here is that there was a character in it who would go out into the desert, pick a rock from a natual setting, take it home and carve it into a face or head of someone who'd died.

Anyone remember that one? Might be worth a rental.
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DesertDog · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 402

Arizonaheat · Posted: 11/19/2006, 10:01 am Post subject:

Nice

Thanks for sharing, Glen. An awesome sighting indeed.
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azhiker96 · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 1419

Very nice Glenn. Just curious, do you remember the orientation of the sign? Was the lizard on the north?
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PageRob · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 859 Location: Page, Az.

I've come across some real strange stuff out in the Painted Desert. Spires and altars and wierd symbols, though nothing quite as elaborate as that. Pretty wild.
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