Interested in a sound bath, we stop by the Integratron. Purported as the world’s only all-wood acoustically perfect sound-chamber, the white dome stands starkly against the dry desert back drop. Learning all sessions are booked for the next week, the photographer and I exchange a look, shrug. Desert oddity number one down, on to the next.
Looking at the directions I read, It says to just keep following this dirt road until the rock comes into view. It’s called Giant Rock, I’m assuming it should be easy to spot. Bouncing over the sandy bumps, we put the car to the test. Rattle, shake, bump our way across the barren land. Very nearly bottoming out, I look at Baylor. Laugh as he stands surfing the backseat, thoroughly enjoying the adventure.
Stopping in front of a towering rock, I hop out, open the door for Baylor. Watch out for glass, bud. He grins, trots off. Staring up, I try to imagine how this mass of hardened earth ended up here. I don’t know if the claims that it’s the largest free standing boulder in the world hold up, but I can say it’s the largest rock I’ve ever seen. And its middle of nowhere desert location makes it a particularly strange sight. No wonder it’s surrounded by legends and stories. Long a sacred spiritual spot for Native Americans, Giant Rock is also remembered as the home to a rather eccentric and hermit-prone miner, Frank Critzer, who dug out a 400-square-foot home directly beneath it. Circling the behemoth rock, I shake my head. It’s certainly a strange place.
Arriving back at the lodge, I toss Baylor a cookie. Settle on the porch swing with a book highlighting even more desert oddities. Reading of the inexplicable occurrences, alien theories, and supernatural propositions rampant in this southeastern desert I have to wonder, Is it that strange things happen here or strange people end up here? Does the desert brings out your crazy or do only the crazy end up in the desert?
Smiling I think how often people must wonder about my crazy. Surely riding a motorcycle across the continent with a dog does not qualify me to discern the subtleties of wacky. People in glass houses and all that. Light fading, I close the book. I guess that’s the thing about crazy, it never feels particularly strange in the moment. Even at our oddest, we still feel normal. Or as Janis Joplin said, I’m one of those regular weird people.
Baylor bumping into my feet, I look down. Giggle as he stares at me with a look of exasperation. Stands awaiting me moving my legs so he can lie down in this one spot he’s deemed worthy of his nap.
How about we go inside an get you a cookie? He looks at me. Cocks his head at the “c” word. Trots excitedly to the door. Turns, looks back. Stares intently. Don’t joke about cookies. You know it’s the one thing I take absolutely seriously.
I know, I know, I say standing. I wouldn’t dare. I’m not that crazy.
267 days down. Many to come.
*****
We’re almost there! More than 100 people have supported the Operation Moto Dog Kickstarter – it’s 82% funded. Now WE NEED YOU! Please be a part of the adventure – support and share!