"Moonwalk"
My desert experience was the only thing that got me through the degree at CU. That was one of the hardest things I ever did. It was mentally tough, physically exhausting, and we lived a bit like homeless folks (I hate hate that comparison but it works). Ten hours of work in 100 degree heat, 15 days in a row, we had to survive on 5 gallons of water for two days at a time, and a shower once a week, in the absolute middle of nowhere. And after the last trip, cumulative 44 days in the desert, I thought on the last day after all that, “This isn’t so bad, I could get used to it.”
It taught me that all you really need is a tent a sleeping bag, some clean water, an occasional shower, a change of cloths, a bucket and a shovel, a daypack and some extremely basic cooking equipment, ... and maybe some sunflower butter and jelly, ... access to some type of transportation, and at least one other person to survive.
That’s really it. Talk about minimalism and a mentally taxing situation but people are incredibly resilient in this world. I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything, even if it contributed to some long term sleeping difficulties.
"Moonwalk: Footsteps in the Desert"
Imagine being so remote that all you see at night is a completely clear sky.
Almost 0% light pollution.
An experience like walking on the moon after the fire 130,000 acres of pure blackness. Nothingness..
With this road down the center of the valley, that split life from death.
The shadow and light.
Even the black sooty nothingness had a certain beauty to it.
The tumbleweeds that slowly rolled across the road and the dust devils spinning above the desert were beautiful in a way.
The sun rose over the black fine grained ash.
The sun rose in the morning over the nothingness.
A ball of fire providing new energy and life to a desolate landscape.
It must have been a bit like what Neil Armstrong saw on the moon when he stepped out and saw the blue earth rise 250,000 miles away in the most isolated desolate landscape humankind ever set foot on.
That desert experience was tough and beautiful. My moon walk, my 44 days in the desert...
Charles N. Whittemore
21st of October, 2017
