Who would have ever thought that we would find a cow on a pedestal giving us ‘the look’ at the Three Rivers petroglyph site in New Mexico! Wait, there weren’t any cattle in North America when this petroglyph was made and the ‘cow’ isn’t standing on a pedestal, it is standing on its tail. And a big tail it is!
My blogging friend Cindy Knoke, who also likes petroglyphs, commented on my Sego Canyon post that it is “fun to try and interpret” rock art. And she’s right. Rock art can range from being a few hundred to several thousands of years old. The best we can do is make educated guesses about what the petroglyphs mean— and this, in turn, gives us a lot of room to use our imagination. Today I am going to take even more liberties in my interpretation and go looking for humor among the rocks. Hopefully the shamans won’t zap me.
I know that some of you are punctuation geeks. Obviously, I’m not. But I depend on Peggy to catch some of my more glaring errors. For example, I am constantly adding an apostrophe to “its” when none is needed. I know the difference, but apparently my fingers don’t. I ask all of you, however, do you think an apostrophe is required here?I had to look twice, and maybe even three times. These shamans have created an imaginary bus for their journey into the other world— and imaginary seats.This woman (or girl) is having a bad hair day. “I recognize that, ” Peggy says.Speaking of having a bad day, I’d say that this Bighorn sheep qualifies. And that’s definitely a ‘why me’ expression on its face.The problem for the guy with arrows is minimal comparison to this fellow who had turned around to see why his front legs are missing and discovered a badger draped across his body eating his back legs as well. The expression here is more like ‘What the…!”The only solution is to get out while the getting is good, as fast as you can.If you think your life is complicated… The rabbit is keeping its distance while the stick figures throw up their hands in dismay. Meanwhile a lizard uses its laser eyes to avoid the confusion. Don’t you just hate it when your day starts like this one.A sure sign that big foot was here.Bigfoot’s big feet.Lest there be any doubt, a really big Bigfoot. The turkey can only look on with awe. But just how big ?Cat Woman has an idea. And check out her expression.I kid you not. And I certainly wouldn’t pull your tail. Ouch!Okay, it appears that this frog has learned how to juggle. But sitting on a pointy thing while juggling? It brings the art form to a whole new level! Forget your flagpole sitters. This is the real thing.It seems like Kilroy was here. With that thought, I’ll conclude today’s post.
WEDNESDAY’S POST: I have been working on my backpacking book, “It’s Five AM and a Bear Is Standing on Me.” I’m to the point now where I am writing the section on the 750 mile backpack trip I did two summers ago down the PCT to celebrate my 75th birthday. I’ve been going through my photos of the journey for inspiration and as a reminder. I decided it would be fun to rerun some of the photos in categories: trees, flowers, rocks, streams and lakes, etc. The should keep us busy for a few Wednesdays.
FRIDAY’S POST: I’ll do a wrap on Three Rivers Petroglyph National Recreation Area.
Wanderer, writer, photographer and activist. I've now settled in Southern Oregon. 1.8 million acres of national forest are out the backdoor and the beautiful Applegate River is out the front door. I like travel, reading, history and wild places. I am married to the lovely, funny, bright Peggy.
The Bush Devil Ate Sam is an important record and a serious story, yet told easily, and with delightful humor. This is one of the most satisfying books I have ever read, because it entertained me thoroughly AND made me feel better informed. —Hilary Custance Green: British Author... Click on the image to learn more about my book, the Bush Devil Ate Sam, and find out where it can be ordered.
Special Thanks to Word Press for featuring my blog and to my readers and followers. You are all appreciated.
11 thoughts on “A Bit of Humor Among the Rocks… The Petroglyphs of Three Rivers”
leggypeggy
I especially like cat woman.
Curt Mekemson
She certainly looked the part, Peggy. 🙂
ralietravels
“Art is in the eye of the beholder.” 🙂
Curt Mekemson
Yes it is, Ray. 🙂
krc
Wow, those ARE fun!
Animalcouriers
I prefer these interpretations Curt 😀
Curt Mekemson
Laughing. Wonder what humor was like for the early Americans. “Let’s draw something really weird and see how future generations interpret it!” ? 🙂
Sartenada
Hello.
So much humor. I loved the big footprint. My humor: Obviously it was not Carbon footprint! 🙂
Have a good day!
Curt Mekemson
Laughing. No it wasn’t! 🙂
Sartenada
Forgive me.
Curt Mekemson
Sorry, I was referring to your previous comment about the carbon footprint. I had a very good day and appreciated your good wishes! Thank you.