Linda's Magic Workshop - Linda Britt Design

Yesterday Peter and I took a day trip to V-Bar-V Ranch near Sedona AZ.   We love to visit ruins and see petroglyphs while we look for real birds and interesting textures of nature. In 1994, the U.S. Forest Service acquired the V-Bar-V Ranch to protect the ancient art panels found here. The property was first homesteaded at the turn of the century (1900’s) by the Taylor family.   Several families ran the property as a working cattle ranch after that. We checked in with the ranger and took the short walk to the very large configuration of rocks on the sandstone bluff.   It was covered with petroglyphs- 1032 have been identified so far.   Most were pecked, ground or scratched into the rock between 1150 and 1400 A.D. (over 800 years ago).   The Sinagua people who created these images seemed to like pairs – 2 birds, lizards and humans with different sets of legs- and we found several of these pairs.   By watching the movement of light across the rock images, the people could tell

The Navajo National Monument was a magical place for me.   It was small as monuments and campgrounds go. We drove around to get our bearings and to see what we wanted to do the next morning.   We talked with the rangers and decided to take an early morning walk on Sandal Trail.   Both campgrounds had open spaces for camping and on this trip that was unusual and welcome.   We arrived early evening and were able to take a short walk.   There were beautiful blooming bushes, a few birds and sunset!   After making ‘camp’ in the back of the truck and setting out dinner, I even had time to sit and enjoy the sounds and smells of the forest. Sandal Trail is a paved trail from the visitor center that ends at Betatakin Overlook.   I stood looking out at a breathtaking cross-canyon vista and then looking down at what is left of an ancient village framed by a sandstone arch while time stood still.   I could almost see the children playing on the upper ledge; hear the women weaving