It is curious, yet I fully understand. I had to stay, for if I didn't, today's events never would have happened...
As I rode out of Yuma, I came to a stop at a traffic light. That is when I saw out of the corner of my eye a bird swoop in for a landing. As I watched it circle once, then alight next to another bird, I realized it was a Sea Gull. Two of them, perched together. They were probably mates, although I could not tell which was which. It made me think though. Were they both blown off course, or was one and the other just followed? I wonder if seeing a Sea Gull in Yuma is uncommon? If it is, then I was blessed. If it isn't, then I was still blessed!
I fell in behind two riders on the way home. They got off the road just a few minutes later. I had a stop planned that would be 20+ miles out of the way, so I ended up getting off the road myself later, to top off on fuel. I used this break to attend to a few other things, and the riders I had followed, came in. We greeted and talked for almost an hour! They were from Colorado, on a long ride... heading back.
It's amazing that three people, myself a stranger, can come together and because we have a common bond, become friends. I have always known that if I saw a biker on the side of the road, I would stop to make sure they were alright. This morning, my experience solidified it!
My stop was a place I have never been to. Although, I always wanted to. So I did! I took an exit and headed in a generally northwesterly direction, to Painted Rock. I passed the solar energy plant, a cattle farm (not sure if it is for milk or beef), and took a leisurely, fun ride to a petroglyph site. This road was built for riding! Curves, dips, and straight a ways! There is something about leaning, turning, slowing, and accelerating...
There was a special feeling here. I was taking pictures with my cellphone, yet I was aware and reverent to the knowledge that these petroglyphs are thousands of years old!
And then there was the graffiti...
It may not be apparent in the pics, yet there is a definite color difference! One can tell what is new versus what is old. If you consider late 1800's to 1900's new...
I am saddened that this place has been corrupted. Although, if I can get this close to take pictures, I sort of understand the attraction. Luckily, I left no trace... even picked up a stray cigarette butt and disposed of it appropriately!
Thank you!
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