My favorite annual camping spot spring and fall is the San Rafael Swell in central Utah. We go there at least once a year for the solitude and spiritual Energy found there. Being Desert and solitude lovers, this place is ideal. Our first visit was just a few day before Halloween and seemingly, Trent and I had the place all to ourselves.We found our camp site in the primitive camping area, a quiet little hilly site surrounded by walls about 100 feet high. The SUV made it there easily and we set up the tent and went about our business in order to begin what would eventually become an annually addictive road trip.
The beauty and quiet of this desolate place was magical. Not a single sound could be heard at night and when the sun was finally rested, darkness set in, it was totally black. Our fire flickered and the shadows reflected off the rock walls like spirits of a time past. Not wanting to break the spell we sat quietly imagining the Native Americans from times past. These people were what was called the Barrier Canyon Culture (BCC) and lived or came to visit this area over 2000 years ago. They were hunters and gatherers using stone and bone for tools. They left their message on a huge rock panel just around the bend from our camp.This panel is called Buckhorn Wash Pictograph, many have seen it and drove past it. Many others have decided they too would like to be known.. carving their own names and scratching their own ignorant pictures. These folks need to be taken out back and shot. Other messages from a later people called the Freemont, who came many years later have been left on this wall also. Petroglyphs and pictographs cover the wall. One can only imagine and wonder what they were trying to relay.
Throughout the Swell there are hundreds of these type of drawings, other Native American peoples also shared this area. On our second trip we decided to take a drive on one moon lit night down to the panel to experience it after dark. The two of us walked up to the panel very quietly and shone our flashlights on the artwork. Again we were in awe and felt humbled by the experience. I was never very interested in History in my youth but as I grow older I have found that it is a most fascinating aspect of all of our lives. I try to tell my kids to pay attention, to learn what a wonderful history this earth has, not only in its people but also its formation and Geology.
