November 30, 2013: Quartzsite Rock Alignment and the Fisherman Intaglio.
In order to ease back into
our regular activities, we’re going to take in a couple of nearby sites today. Since we’re camped off of Plomosa Road on BLM
land north of Quartzsite we’re going to drive just a few miles farther east
into the Plomosa Mountains to view the rock alignment and intaglio.
During WWII General
Patton’s troops used this area for a training ground. Rocks were aligned in the desert that spelled
out “Quartzsite” and an arrow pointing to the town so airplanes could tell
where they were. Yes indeed, I photographed every letter.
There’s also a point of
reference indicated with an “N” with an arrow so pilots had directional orientation. This has all been very well preserved – or
well reconstructed.
Back in the Jeep we drive
about a mile up the road to our second stop – the Bouce Fisherman Intaglio, or
geoglyph.
Intaglio: This is a word I don’t recognize.
intaglio
in-tal-yoh, in-tahl-yoh
noun
1. incised carving, as
opposed to carving in relief.
2. ornamentation with a
figure or design sunk below the surface.
It’s a short hike back to
the intaglio and a pretty area now that we have gotten a short distance into
the mountains.
I'm glad there is
a plaque to show what the fisherman is supposed to look like because it
would be very difficult to decifer otherwise.
Here’s the plaque and the BLM’s story … and they’re sticking to it! Who knows – it’s as good a guess as any.
And, here’s what actually
remains of the intaglio. With the
picture to compare it to, I am able to make out some of the depressions but
they’re pretty faint. Perhaps from a
higher elevation it would still be possible to make out the figure. Time has taken its toll on the fisherman –
just as it has on many of us.
Wandering back to the Jeep
I take a few pictures along the way. The
Plomosa Mountains are pretty and there are several different varieties of
cacti. Very nice.
We’ve only driven 7 miles
from our campsite, but it was still a nice break away for an hour or so. Back down the wavy road dipping through
washes to home.
What is that? An ultralight aircraft? No, it’s an S-LSA!
Back at camp having
luxuriated in our lounge chairs for a while, we go for a walk. To the east we hear a little buzzing sound
and see two parachutes rise from the desert floor. Wow!
Ultralight aircraft and they’re coming our way. I snap some pictures as one comes right over
our heads.
Actually they are not
ultralight aircraft which are only legal to hold 1 person. This is a two-seater which makes it an S-LSA
(Special Light Sport Aircraft) powered parachute. This requires an FAA Pilot Certificate
whereas the ultralight has only a few regulations – and lenient ones at that. One seat, five gallon maximum fuel capacity, speed
and weight restrictions and the like. AND
– no age restriction. A 12-year old can
get in and fly an ultralight. Now that’s
a little scary!
Off they go across the
desert landscape beyond the Moose and Caboose.
That looks like it would be a whole lot of fun. Twelve days of training and you too can fly
an S-LSA! If we get a little older and
crazier we may have to consider this.
Until next time – be safe.
