This week’s raw, mysterious, and interesting piece highlighting an abandoned building found at the edge of a dry river trickling from the lonely Latir Peak + sneak-peek at the next event Cholla At Me will be representing!

Purposeful Poem:

When the river goes dry

Beckoning the real question of why -

How did it all go to die?

Seek deeper and you will find

Energy is what we all rely

When true life is left behind

We cannot sustain the grind

Halting us in an indefinite bind.

Soul-Scribed Story:

When The River Goes Dry

Alright, before we get into the meat of the bone here – let’s see what you think this abandoned structure is: (hint – it’s a government structure placed at the bend of a road leading up to Latir Peak).

Thank you for playing!

For this story, these raw photos will act as the mirror on the wall reflecting a picture forgotten beyond the trails of Latir Peak, (northern) New Mexico.

When I headed out to explore more of this free-flowing state, I had no intention to stumble upon such a staple of forgotten time and place. At first, I found a super dope cow bone shaped like dagger (actually sharp) with a built-in organic handle. When out here in the high desert, these cow bones happen to appear in the most random of places! But, it was already telling the story before I even had a glimpse of the picture… (when the river goes dry, all goes to die…)

I pushed up the hill and within a mile, there was this foreboding building placed right off the road. At first, it looked to be in good health and I shouted “HELLO” many times. If you know me, I’m a pretty loud dude - so after no holler back - I knew it was empty. This seeded a comforting feeling, yet also ominous caution poured over me simultaneously. My mom would’ve likely said – “NOPE” – we’re staying on the trail – but for me as a truth-seeker, I could not resist but to turn the stone over and see its contents.

I am NOT recommending this to anyone, in any means - as there was danger and risk to this action.

As I approached the fence to meander inside, all one could hear was the sound of buzzing flies. No birds, no bees, no deer, nothing - literally only were there flies alive. I approached with caution.

I wasn’t the only one who found the golden nugget! (EEK - there was rat poop EVERYWHERE) - must’ve been many here when the river wasn’t running dry, nearby. Lucky was I, who did not have to encounter a whole rat army like the movie, Ratatouille.

As I made my way out-and-back, the most ominous structure was the shed. Something about abandoned sheds, ya know? Maybe it’s all the horror movies we watch, but they sure are CREEPY.

Well, my intuition wasn’t exactly WRONG. I found the bedroom of a mystery man who likely abandoned ship years ago - and left the remains of a shanty living area.

Finalizing my rounds within this mysterious property, I found where there must’ve been a healthy river once flowing through this mountainous region. Curiosity was pumping, I was determined to find any signs of life in this place - as there still were bushes, trees, and greenery around. I scrambled up and through the old (DRY) river bed going up-hill, hoping to find a lake, or some life at all.

This was all in fact, in vain. Dry as could be.

It simply hit me - (although, this may seem like a basic elementary lesson) - without water, there cannot be sustained life. To experience the chilling quiet sounds of a dead forest, in the middle of summer (where life flourishes here) - truly hit home. For this region, I didn’t recognize until I returned to Red River - but there were 0 (absolutely none) wildflowers in bloom here. Without said water, no flowers - thus no insects, birds, and on-and-on from there. Where the river dries, all goes to die…

As I footed down the mountain to avoid the thundering afternoon showers, this last (literal sign) - affirmed the story. Lop-sided, faded, eroded, and forgotten - depicting the harsh reality that with no water to sustain life here; in return, there is no one to sustain the infrastructure.

Touch Grass:

I’ll leave you with this - think about the rivers in your life - relationships, work, projects, the challenges too. It’s easy to name what they give you.

Harder question - what are you giving back? Because when we only take, the river dries. and well - you know the rest by now.

Hit reply and tell me one river you’re feeding right now.

Where-abouts and What-fors:

The OG rodeo grounds are right behind Walmart, in Taos - going for $10/ticket. They have one of the cheapest entry prices for any in the state - “to include as many community members as possible,” says Ron - who is the front-runner organizer for this event. Ron has been running this for almost 30 years - which is almost my age!

If you liked how the Red River Rodeo looked - this will be bigger, better, and more community oriented. Go this weekend, this is an incredible value made whole by the community that supports it forthright!

SIZZLIN SCENES going on this month:

Happenings:

Red River: 8750' BBQ & Music Festival (August 12-16) - Red River's signature summer blowout returns with three days of live music alongside sanctioned cookoff competitions. https://www.8750festival.com/

Santa Fe: Santa Fe Indian Market (104th Annual, August 15-16) - Absolute EPIC art market (world-class). My cool uncle Cole comes out every year just for this one. Stupendous art, don’t miss! https://www.swaia.org/santa-fe-indian-market

+Santa Fe Beer Festival (August 8-9) - craft beer festival on the grounds of the 200-acre living history museum. Who doesn’t want to drink beer at a museum?! https://golondrinas.org/annual-events/festivals/santa-fe-beer-food-festival/ ~ go ahead and grab your ticket, these sell out!

Angel Fire: Music from Angel Fire (43rd season, August 13-26) - Great tunes all around the legendary Enchanted Circle - playing in Taos, Angel Fire, Raton, and Las Vegas, NM over these two weeks. https://musicfromangelfire.org/festival/

Taos: Taos Mountain Wellness Festival (August 14-16) - Formerly the Taos Mountain Yoga Festival, reimagined around a broader wellness theme — Our True Nature. Three days of yoga, sound healing, dance, and nature writing in the Sangre de Cristos. All levels welcome. https://taosskivalley.com/event/taos-mountain-wellness-festival/ - also likely to sell out, grab a ticket to get in the thick-of-it!

Remember - there’s a magic in giving back (nourishing our rivers, our lifelines). Choose to be generous, and watch the river run for 1000 years!

INTENTION: I share these excerpts with the intention to understand through writing, not to lecture or come from a place of superiority.

You are the reader, and I the writer, are one in the same.

~

Carry on your light with grace, fellow humans.

CHOLLA AT ME!