Traveling east on I 10 from Tucson there is a MIGHTY unusual sight. Miles and miles of train engines coupled together. They have been there for months.
Did I say miles? YES it’s miles. They stand like regal soldiers and like faces, no two seem to be the same. Some carry scars and scrapes & some polished to pampered perfection.
We have seen this sight several times over months and each time I wonder at the magnitude of the meandering yellow line.
I asked a railroad man why these giants of metal and deisel have been exiled to the dry AZ desert. It seems sad that the once proud engines have been retired as they are no longer needed. Knowing this felt lonely as I wander along the tracks listening to the wind creak between them like metal whispers.
Pondering this idea and feeling watched, I touch them one by one and imagine their journey. It seems like I have been walking a long time to find the end and beginning.Soon I come to a bridge that I can cross under. I cautiously approached the underpass and find this graffiti which confirms everything.
Suddenly a swarm of wasps from the largest nest I have ever seen attacks. Wasps make excellent train engine guards.
I couldn’t help the opportunity to lie on the tracks in front of a train just this one time as I say goodbye.
Now thanks to the efforts of the National Park Service conservation there are over 400.
Back to Cameron for an afternoon stroll through the gardens.
Suddenly we come across this trail to an abandoned building! I am so excited! Walking through tall grass is not my favorite (sneaky snakes). We are on the lookout for crawly things and No Trespassing signs. All clear so here we go…
Lots of good opportunity to play with the light and texture of this old place. Camera Roll below:
Our sins exposed like the ruined adobe wall holding little bits of paper, our wishes.
My wish is here too. It is a symbol of what breaks my heart leaving it here for a higher power to handle when I can’t anymore.
My favorite story about this shrine is that it’s presence stopped a highway from cutting through this old part of town. Thank you Juan Oliveras for your unknown contribution to the preservation of Tucson over 140 years ago. Just shows you that even sinners make a difference.
Hard to imagine now while we struggle for decent ground water. Lush and green many people enjoyed this area for health & entertainment. Now the area is dry as can be. Little touches everywhere.
Continuing on through the neighborhood there were a lot of interesting textures.
This is the theater located off a side street.
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