Meteor Crater, Arizona

Follow the whole "The Road" series from this playlist!

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=2708735C6EB19580

The continuing journal of my early explorations, on the road, and across the USA, in 1981. One of the last entries for this first leg through Arizona, I talk about visiting Meteor Crater, Arizona, one of the largest, mostly intact meteor craters on earth. Believed to be several thousand years old, it predates recorded history.

One could see the edge of the rim from the main highway there, Interstate 40, near Flagstaff. But it was another 5 miles or so off of the highway, across part of the painted desert. I decided to walk in, to the crater, cross country, across the desert rather than along the access road. Must ahve taken a couple of hours, but not too arduous. Once at the visitor's center, I learned that there was an admission fee to go up on their little platform, to look over into the crater. Probably was only $5 or $10, but that was $5 or $10 more than I had. I asked the attendent if I could go up anyway. He didn't confirm that it'd be okay, he just walked away. I mean I feel almost certain he must have been saying, "If I don't see you go up, no one knows the difference." But I was chicken or thinking it wasn't right, or I don't know, tired from the walk and not thinking right..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteor_Crater

Around that time a small group came in to the gift shop there, and I thought for a moment that it looked like it was my father and his sisters, like they were on vacation or had come looking for me or something. I don't know what I thought, but I didn't want to be seen by them, or to be discovered, or to be found. Or to call my adventure quits. "Come on son, all is forgiven. You can come home now." No, I hadn't accomplished anything. Or nothing which satisfied me. I wasn't ready to go home just yet.

And yet had I approached the group to confirm one way or the other that it was or wasn't them; I at least might have gotten the chance to go up to the rim, and to look over into the crater! I guess I shied away, turned and went further into the gift shop, while they went up to the rim. Whoever they were! Only years later, after finally returning home, did I discover that they had indeed taken a cross country trip in a van, my father and mother and a couple of his sisters! But the timing seemed off. Like they'd gone, but a year later than when I was there. So I never really figured that one out.

And I regret not taking that chance to look over into the crater. But with all of the chances I didn't take, people remind me, "Alan, you just took off, cross country, with no money, no idea how you'd eat, where you'd sleep! That was pretty brave!' And the walk through the desert to the crater was pretty cool. There were some accomplishments, as well as failures or incompletions. I suppose that is how life is.

And here is a success! This is the exact view I was talking about NOT having had the chance to see back then. Feygirl created this 360 view of the crater and the surrounding desert, shot from the rim of the crater. This is what I might have seen, had I gone up to the rim. Thank you Faye! And thanks to the Interwebs for making this moment possible!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkRG-h8rENE

Peace,

\A/

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Tags:

• meteor
• crater
• arizona
• painted
• desert
• walk
• in
• the
• sun
• gift
• shop
• platform
• family
• adventure
• south
• west
• usa

[hoffmann9471]

You never could check out if they were it or not ?

Interesting.

I had the same with my brother whom I have not seen since 30 years. He is disappreared ( really !!) since decades.

I drove with car 10 years ago and thought very much of him and when I made a stop at resthouse I saw him (I believe it really) and didn´t say anything and he also not. And after 5 Min. the chance was over... hmmm

I care for his son here.

Arizona is wonderful. I made a flight over the canyon

Onkel Pete

[Awwa1]

Wow! That's strange! Did your brother work with government intelligence, a spy, or was he involved in a witness protection program or anything? I guess if you don't why he disappeared, then you wouldn't know. Strange! Your nephew is lucky to have a caring onkel, onkel Pete!

In my case I was reunited with my family. I just could never nail down if they were there or not. Like the timing always seemed a year off. Be well!

Peace,

\A/

[hoffmann9471]

The nephew is great. He is 32 and became department director in a big insurance here in Northern Germany. He has a wondeful family and two pretty daughters. My brother does not know anything.

I think that he disappeared in the underground because he had never money and made anything... hmmm

Not spy or witness program , I can not imagine.

Good that u are reunited with your family. very good !!

Now I look into the crater....hahaha

Onkel

[Awwa1]

That is kind of sad about your brother. It is very nearly what might have become of me. But of course we all "disappear" to varying degrees in this life. But I was tempted to stay on the road, never return to a normal working life.

I didn't miss the work, LOL! But I guess I wanted to be seen, to be known. The other life is very anonymous. I don't believe that I will become famous in my lifetime. But my art may have a chance to live on. Now we both see much in the crater!

Peace,

\A/

[frankblame]

life! a real illustrative story told.

[Awwa1]

thanks frank! i've had lots of time to think about these experiences. i believe that helps in the telling. Thanks for the comment.

Peace,

\A/

[scyanks7]

WHat the crap is this are you insane Ha Ha Ha?

[hoffmann9471]

Ja, der Barringer Krater. Sehr bekannt !

Klasse !

[Awwa1]

Yea Dee, it's fab! If you live nearby (or within reasonable driving distance) it's probably one of those things you'd want to do at least once before you die, heh! If ever I'm back in that area, I will definitely be going all the way to the top!

Thanks for commenting!

Peace,

\A/