Last Night in Sitgreaves National Forest, AZ

It was my last night in the forest, at least for now, before heading home. I got a good start heading down the road, as I watched the temperature go up.

Low and behold only about a half mile from this campground, there a sign showing that I was leaving the Sitgreaves National Forest. From there forward, camping would be unauthorized, which means you might wind up on private property. I never make a point of trying that, as you never know if authorities, or the owners come to chase you away. At least I know that in the National Forest, I am allowed to camp. There were some beautiful views with steep dark red cliffs, and from the distance I could see the Morenci mines ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morenci_mine) come into view. 

As I got closer and closer, the mine area enveloped me from all around. I was amazed and shocked with how large this area was, seeing massive equipment with dump trucks tires taller than people. They were constantly moving, even early on a Sunday morning. They are mining copper, as well as other precious metals. I occasionally saw puddles in bright turquoise, as evidence of copper. There was no real true place to pull over to take photographs, as I'm sure they don't want people stopping on this highway. Part of me was absolutely surprized to see such a massive operation, and part of me was very sad to see the desecration of these mountains and hills. Along with the charred forest it's another reminder, or a case in point, to really ask yourself what is it that we are doing here on this planet? Are we taking care of ourselves, or the planet? It seems either all or nothing, and it was just rather a stark contrast having just witnessed a charred forest, then seeing a man made effort to take down these mountains for the sake of capturing precious metals. This mine view went on for miles. I continued on for several hours to the San Carlos Indian Reservation, another reminder of how poor some of these people are living. Next to nothing either in a dilapidated trailer, or junk cars, and all kinds of trash laying around. Shortly therafter, I drove through Safford, finding fields of poppies. Yellow to orange hills, for as far as you could see. Such stark contrasts of images that run the range of heartbreak to beauty in a matter of hours. Driving for so long makes you think, and wonder about all the things you've seen as well as those things in your personal life. I arrived at home, safe and sound, after nearly 700 miles, and can say that even though my trip was only 2 weeks long, it was quite relaxing, inspiring, and just another reminder of how lucky I've been.
















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