I am still feeling inspired by all the wonder from our recent vacation. One of my favorite things was getting close enough to gently blow the dust from an ancient sculpture and I imagine the same dust on an artist’s hands from over 3000 years ago. To me it is the ultimate time machine.
Looking at the partial pieces of sculpture, I also wonder if the artists got as triggered as I do when accidentally breaking off a key piece of work. I imagine so but couldn’t it also be the alternate explanation to the missing arms/penises/noses of ancient statues?
How do they KNOW it was the uptight Christians knocking off penises? Could be just an artist that can’t get the penis exactly right, or perhaps the removal of appendages is like the selfie editing of today “Eww I look awful in this lighting, take it again on my good side”. So MAYBE even a famous sculptor such as Alcamenes had to edit his creation like this: 
We took a guided tour through the ruins and I was very pleased with the tiny yet loud archaeologist guide. It always surprises me how many rude tourists seem to be missing out on the wonder of what we are experiencing. 
For example; a man pushed by knocking us off of the narrow path to get to, well, just ahead of all of us I guess. G: “It’s been here thousands of years, I don’t think it’s going anywhere” 
Rocks that were stacked using no mortar outline walls that are still standing today. Guide: “If you see cement that’s where it has been repaired.”
Arches that are are part of a water catchment system. Take a look at the keystones at the center of the arch in the picture below. Still as solid today as when the mason placed them there. 
While the guide weaves tales of antiquity, G & I place our hands on the cool marble stones. With my back and hands against the marble and my face toward the sun I swear I can feel the vibration of a thousand voices heard from those who passed this very window. 
Delos is the birthplace of Apollo who is also known as the god of light. Using the huge local mica deposit on the island the walls sparkled in all directions. 
It’s not hard to imagine approaching from the sea, buildings shining in the sun, a row of roaring stone lions leading the way to bustling shops and palatial structures.
Someone asks the guide who these people were located in the middle of a group of houses. The answer is they don’t know. Not royalty, possibly a rich merchant’s family. They were obviously very fashionable. 
We end up with a lot of free time after the tour and before the ferry returns. We walk the fringes of the Island where nature has reclaimed her rightful place covering man’s structures that may be lesser known or simply ignored.
I even found a couple of pretty little snails stuck on a wall. These Delos Island snails are super strong. I couldn’t pick it off the wall which was probably best anyway for the snail.
We climb as high as we can and overlook the layout of the island.
And visit the temple while we were up there
We venture down and dip our toes in the nearby sea. The water is cool and so clear. It’s quiet except the soft waves. This little part of the ocean was a crossroads for trade for thousands of years. This little part of the sea was a sole source of life. 
Together in silence the two of us enjoy the complex history of this place. 
and reflect on the phenomenon when these places are abandoned and left to ruin. 
Together we whisper to each other and express our awe of human creativity 
and the need to write it all down.
This simple unique rock placement of the wall below makes me so happy.
Mosaic flooring, frescoes, sculpture & pottery have been recovered and preserved in the museum. 
We are grateful for the opportunity to visit.
R Rating Below
This collection:
Way at the west end of the street on the north side we found a shop owned by a delightful couple. 
Salvador is showing the secure backing his wife uses on her designs.
Some of the shells are local, some are purchased, but all the work is hers.
He explained they live behind the shop and TODAY he was watching the shop and the kids while his wife was at a political luncheon for women.
Salvador’s pride in his wife’s work & her participation in the luncheon was delightful. We learned a lot about this couple in a short time from his story. They are part of the old traditions, and they are shaping in the future of their town. This is such a terrific mom and pop business. Please stop in the next time you are in Rocky Point. I know we always will.
Similar to the saguaro this forest of organ pipes thrives in the South West corner of the Sonoran Desert. 
A stop at the Visitor’s Center to check in and then off to a 2 mile loop trail for an overview.
The views are incredible from the top of the loop.
From here you can see the border wall and into Mexico. You can’t miss it.
‘It’s easy to see where the cactus got it’s name.
It seems there is a lot left to discover so we will return, camp, and explore another day. For now we will just relish in the refreshing hike and head home.
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We took a picnic and enjoyed a few little animals and birds. Great place to enjoy a picnic lunch at the well kept covered tables.
Just to the east is an easy path leading to the petroglyphs. 
They are said to have been created by the Hohokam people. We stop to to imagine what the artist was trying to convey with these symbols.
Looking over the valley from this site I can see how it would have been chosen as a beacon for travelers.
I have to say it’s been fun discovering adventure right in our own back yard.
Rising high above the desert Babo Peak has been written about for centuries as a beacon for those who travel through the valleys. Unfamiliar with the permits required for hiking on the reservation, and not knowing the trails, I searched and found an archaeological tour group heading to I’itoi Cave. I was thrilled to finally climb that famous peak. 
The archaeologist and guide is Al Dart from 
Al was quick to point out that the tee pee is not part of the Tohono O’Odham culture but had been used for this particular ceremony and overnight stay. He went on to describe the history of the area in great detail. Even at this early stage of the tour we could tell this would be a wonderful experience.
The campground area is beautiful and worth exploring. 
Above us and surrounding us like a giant hug stood Babo Peak. 
The hike to I’itoi Cave is a little over mile on a trail rated difficult. 
Fortunately our guide made frequent stops along the trek pointing out both man made and natural wonders along the way. 
He included reading excerpts of early European explorers during our rest stops.The views are spectacular and unspoiled from this vista. 
What a perfect day to hike.
The cave has a tiny triangular entrance behind an outcropping of rock. 
It’s a wonder anyone found it at all. It is said I’itoi still lives there as protector of the Tohono O’Odham people. Iitoi is sometimes referred to as “Older Brother”. Some traditions have him entering the cave through a labyrinth and others refer to him as the man in the maze.
We were met by the caretaker/shaman of the Baboquivari Wilderness Area who was waiting by the entrance. He is said to be over 60 and makes the climb three times a week.
He told us stories about I’itoi and Eagle Man who had been sent to earth by the creator. Both of them were tasked with making people so they each set out to make people of different colors. Eagle Man’s people did not survive but I’itoi’s purple people were strong and became the Tohono O’Odham.
The shaman/caretaker was asked why he let non natives enter the cave. More specifically, why he would let Catholic or Christian symbols be placed as offerings. His answer was beautiful. He said he had thought about it many times, and had meditated about it for a long time here in the cave. He said he believes that there is one god, different to the different cultures, but still one. He said their story is similar to a Christian story. They share a flood story, and I’itoi died and rose again. As long as people are respectful, he wants to share this sacred cave with the anyone seeking it’s peace.
Finally our turn came. We aren’t allowed to take pictures inside the cave and I can see why. Whether or not one believes in I’itoi as a deity or not, there is a unique reverence entering the darkness. A shaft of light is just enough to see the uneven walls of the cave and shines deep toward the sloping back wall. What lies inside are the prayers, hopes and dreams of those who had come before. I noticed a faint scent of incense as I knelt down to add two little purple flowers that I had brought from home. I gave them my own meaning as I placed them in the fine dust on the floor so they would just catch the corner of the sunbeam. My own experience was energizing kneeling there on the soft dirt. Following the sun I exited out the triangle hole and slid back to the real world.
Refreshed we all headed down the mountain to the next stop….Petroglyphs.
There is an outcropping of rock on the valley floor peppered with petroglyphs
Protected by an overhang they have been here for centuries.
Some of the red pictographs are dated at over 5,000 years old. The whiter carved petroglyphs more modern, around 500 years and have Hohokam influence.
Some areas had holes used for grinding. A new tradition to toss coins into them as a prediction of future events.
As the sun faded to a glorious Arizona sunset it was time to say goodbye.
The summer rains have filled the canyon with life.
Caterpillars and butterflies everywhere. 
There is a slight breeze gently whispers through the valley. We have our picnic in quiet reverence.
I turned & jumped when I saw this Chupacabra…
It’s just G holding up a COW PELVIS. Gross. Of course he wants to take it home. “You could make something from it!” No no no. Nope. No….Sigh.
We aren’t sure what we are looking for. About 100 yards past the 90 degree turn in the canyon north, rocks peppered with small geodes are everywhere.
…and beautiful memories.
Two weeks ago we took off for Puerto Penasco Mexico. Selfish with the beach we travel just as school starts and before a major holiday it is a guarantee that we will encounter few other travelers. 
We set up our RV by 11am and head to town to a favorite restaurant. The tide is extremely high and we enjoy hours of great food and drink with an unmatched view.
The ocean’s rhythm washing away months of stress.
These parents have found a creative way to keep their children occupied for hours building a spectacular fort. 
Later squeals of joy as the tide washes their work away.
Time moves slowly, effortlessly.
Then there is the shopping. My favorite store is Mercedes Rusticos but it is closed this weekend. We wander next door to this shop that has been here for as long as I can remember. The owner says 30 years and some of the items seem to have been here just that long.
The view from the 3rd story after climbing a rickety stair/ladder is spectacular.
A friendly man saw me taking pictures and came out to tell us that yesterday the streets were flooded with 5 or 6 meters of rain. He showed us the pictures of the arches across the street barely above the waterline. I didn’t get his pictures but below is the picture of the approaching storm. We are all hoping it would not flood like yesterday. Shops were ready with sandbags and everyone was optimistic. 
It seems Nogales has grown up right along with me. Medical tourism is now a large source of income. Pharmacies and dental offices line the streets where blankets once hung over sidewalks. Medication may cost less than half here. My favorite dentist is here. We like to wander before and after appointments. Of course one MUST stop at 
The plaza is cool and inviting. 
Bright Colors and art adorn the sidewalks.
Walking back over the bridge we are above the lines of cars crossing the border from Mexico into the USA.
There are still some tourist shops. These young men played dominoes to pass the time during the slow summer season. The intense one on the right is winning. 
Curios still line the streets as traffic leaves Mexico to enter the US.
Old meets new. 
There is a feeling when I cross the border through the turnstyle, walking on slick tile, then the bricks, past the chatter of the taxi drivers, toward the main street of Obregon. Although the city changes with the needs of the tourists, the people and the city we love stays the same. Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.
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