Hey everyone, thanks for watching. If you're interested in trying MyHeritage for free, check out this link bit.ly/DesertDrifter. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to each of you!
Thank you for your representation of the Apache people. I am a member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe and a descendent of 3 bands of Apache-Mescalero, Chiricahua and Lipan. Our people were nomadic and roamed southern Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. I enjoy your show and was excited to see you exploring White Sands and the historical areas of our people. I appreciate how you treat the areas with respect and never remove artifacts. Be safe 😊
I'm sure you have heard of the peoples from Aztlan, who legend has it they were from the four corners. My question is what nation, or tribes did the represent other the ancient Aztec? Can you shed any light?
It's not just the amazing places that you show but it's your eloquent well spokeness and historical information you tell that draws me in so much. You should also consider having a channel that's just you recounting historical events and things of that nature and I would happily listen to you all day. You have a true gift for this very thing you do and it baffles me that your channel doesn't have millions of subscribers but I am willing to bet that is going to change before too long. There's a lot of content on TH-cam but there's not a lot that delivers this level of perfection and quality like you do and I'm very happy to have found you. Keep up the great work and always be safe.
I'm 71 years old now. A couple of years ago, my wife and I visited Arizona (and the southwest) for the first time. What an amazing, tortured landscape it is! The coyote and roadrunner don't do it justice. You sir, are giving me what I can't give myself... you are allowing me to walk by your side and see more of this amazing place. Your respect for the history you discover is as it should be. God bless you. May you and yours be safe.
I was station at Ft. Huachuca, AZ. I and other troops we would travel the canyons just on the fort property. Not far Mexico. From the main Flag on post was seven miles to the border.
The object in the sky is an Aerostat Balloon operated by the Border Patrol. They are huge, roughly the size of a B-747 and contain a look-down radar to observe low-flying aircraft and ground traffic. They are spaced along our southern border with Mexico and are usually kept between 10 and 15 thousand ft above the ground. Not only that, but they have been there starting in the early 1980's. They are attached to a tether that allows them to be reeled in for maintenance or high winds. Excellent episode Andrew. I live in Tucson and have camped and hiked the Chiricahua Mt. region of far SE Arizona and the Gila Wilderness of western NM. It is an amazing area of the SW US for sure.
Yep, that's what I thought to. Actually I first thought he was making a joke shooting his own drone. But later I realized he was serious and it was probably an Aerostat. I saw the one launched in Valentine, TX in the 80s. Maybe early 90s. I was just a kid. I still see it flying occasionally when I'm out that way.
I'm 68. My grandpa left home in KY at age 14 in 1894. He learned to drive a 6 mule team from there with a wagon full of supplies to the west coast. Then he'd pick up stuff from there and maybe even a couple passengers to bring back. He told me stories about trading with friendly Indians along the way. And a few stories about close calls he had. He never said what route he took but I have always imagined it was where you are here. My grandson is 14. I can not imagine him or any other 14 yr old heading out at 14 to make their own way in the world especially in such a dangerous way. He wasn't my biological grandpa. Both of those died before I was born. He was 20 years or so older than granny was and she was 80 when he died at age 101. He fell off the roof or who knows how long he'd have lived. He was so very strong. Granny lived to be 100. She was born in 1900. What amazing things they saw in their lives. Can you imagine?
Andrew, I’m 62 disabled vet female who loves history and nature. I am grateful for your channel, because I get to go on adventures through you and I love everyone of them. Thank you Andrew for all you do and carrying us with you. Love and blessings, Sandy in Far Northern California
Desert Drifter you're right those Mortars were for grinding seeds, roots, grain or anything else. Basically a prehistoric food processor. They are no longer smooth inside because over the centuries rain and the elements have eroded the sides exposing the natural layering of the bedrock sandstone. The pestles were often hidden by the women when they left to be uncovered when they returned, or if not they were easy souvenirs carried away by later visitors. I remember as a kid I was looking at several mortars and happen to see a long cylindrical pestle stashed in crevice under some boulders. Its still there I hope. love your channel!
I spoke with a native fella that was a surveyor. He told me of a BLM boundry he was surveying in utah. He was using the original hand written survey book from when it was originally done for the feds in the 1800s. He said he turned the page of the book and the handwriting changed. Thought maybe he was missing some pages. The paragraph written by the new surveyor introduced himself and told the fate of the previous surveyor. Turns out they were attacked by natives and some of the party were killed. He said he started looking around and found shell casing and arrowheads. True or not, it was an interesting story, especially as a surveyor in my past life. Your video brought back fond memories of that fella. Ran into him a few times for about a year or two. That's been probably 10-15 yrs ago now. He was an interesting fella
The Jicarilla Apache & Apache Nations are tribes several hours from where I live. You’re in my state and I recognize where you’re going and what you’re looking for. My mom was an archeologist here in the Southwest. Know many stories about this area. Even the oil & gas industry respects the land and its history…we all drive tredipaciouqsly when on their tribal land! Andrew, you’re a brave man and I just gained an added respect for you on this journey! ❤🙏
Every video gets 2 views minimum from me! Usually watching as I fall asleep, and then rewatching in its entirety. -- I would also like to say to anyone here who don’t make any type of content AS A PRESENTATION to/for the world. Knowledge of subject(s) he talks about alone is one thing. Knowing camera gear / equipment & droning (when legal to) & then to present it all… cohesively, and what seems effortless.. is a gem 💎 of quality creator & story teller that we get to watch. Thank you for these journeys you take us on ! Thank you for having deadcats & quality audio in high winds !
Thank you, Desert Drifter, for your amazing travels and wisdom shared. These videos are a labor of love for those of us who can no longer get out there and explore. 🙏💯❤️✨️
In the last year, your channel has become one of my favorites. I'm an East coast kid to the core (CT, western Mass, upstate NY & NYC), but I spent a few very memorable years working in the red rock canyons and high deserts of Southern UT.. Some of the most amazingly beautiful, peaceful and spiritual places I've ever experienced. I yearn to return.. In the meantime, I can live vicariously through your videos. Much respect to you and your sense of adventure, desire to explore, learn and educate. Thank you ☮️❤️🙏🏼
When a person visits and explores UTAH, is almost a Spiritual experience because one would come to realize that Only God could of create something so absolutely beautiful, I myself would get tears in my eye's when I with my husband and children visited many places in our beloved UTAH ❤❤❤
It may look barren to many, but the vast desert is home to me. It has a stark beauty. But waiting for spring, and the subsequent green and wild flowers, blanket that land. Yes, it looks like the land only grows dirt of baked tan and brown, but in spring green takes over and blooms. Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, and inspiring. Although I live in the Southwestern Appalachia, I'd give everything to move back to where my where my soul sings. The desert.
The Bareness is much of what make the Deserts so beautiful! I've spent a little time around the Arizona deserts spending time with family friends and had a chance to see the different things they used to survive in the Desert and it's not as sparse food wise as people think. It's truly beautiful but I'm from the North East and I could never live without the green and the mountains (hills for you Westerners) and all the lakes and streams and game etc! But the Deserts are breathtakingly beautiful!
I'm from Ithaca NY and I now live in Stockton CA You are absolutely right, I miss the N E and don't think I will ever be able to get back to my real home.
Interesting hike and history. My grandmother's uncle Lorenzo Wright and his brother Seth were killed by Apache Indians in 1885 in a ambush near Safford, Arizona which is about 100 miles west of Massacre Canyon.
hi, thanks so much for your content. I am an avid explorer and conservationist. I'm glad you don't pinpoint your locations, it keeps out the riff raff. Love your expeditions.
I really like how you made the video look like the cover of a book. Already tells a story. Definitely growing into your own style. Keep growing. Love every moment in that growth.
I thought Australia was a vast desolate landscape, and while it is, your videos have opened my eyes to the extensive landscapes of the US. I had always assumed having a population 13x larger than ours would mean not many places wouldn't have people around, but from your videos I see now how wrong this is. Amazes me how many fascinating landscapes are scattered throughout the US that are so isolated (Yet native Americans still somehow found their way out here long before us). While we have some incredible stuff here in Australia most of the inland country is just flat, barren red dirt, but US seems to have these awesome landscapes all throughout. The actual size of the canyon system is one thing in particular that blows my mind, we have nothing like that here. Would love to see some Australia desert drifting one day!!
A lot of people have no idea just how vast the amount of land the US government does own--the federal government owns and manages approximately 650 million acres of land in the United States-about 30% of the nation's total surface area. While some of it is uninhabitable, and I do approve of the efforts to preserve a lot of the natural beauty and history of many areas, I also think it ridiculous the amount of land they hold since the laws state that the government is only supposed to own the Washington DC area, and ten miles around forts and bases (or some amount like that) 😄You are right though, there are tons of gorgeous places here. I must say, Australia has some absolutely drop-dead gorgeous places too--I have always wanted to visit Australia, but it's highly unlikely to happen, so I must be content with pictures and video. G'day, mate!
Every city on earth could fit in Texas alone : ) The American west is incredibly vast and expansive with endless places of wonder to explore. The nice thing is there are typically fire or mining roads to get everywhere compared to Australia (if I'm correct) where a lot of the continent is just wild virgin land which makes it hard to access. I still hope to get to Australia + New Zealand some day though... cheers mate.
This program in particular set me to thinking what it must have been like for the natives to watch their land being invaded, taken over by hoards of people so different from themselves. When you look at it from their point of view . . .
Yes, it'' s the law of nature and we are indivisible part of that vicious circle.The settlers left slavery of Europe to be hunted by the Apaches.Many made it to the promised land and now they are running back from the paradise land back to the hot desert lands of Arizona.
Sad to see the graves and people's loss from 1866-7. Incredible that only 2 years later the transcontinental railroad opens, and the deadly journey to the west coast turns into a trip on a train.
I live in Phoenix, Arizona and I want to explore the desert more often than I am able to. I really enjoy your videos. The way the natives lived interests me very much.
@jordanheimer774: If you're in Phnx, then get out of your safe space, grow a set, and do the exploring yourself. The time will come when you're truly physically unable to do it yourself, and by then, all you'll have is regrets, and there's nothing you can do about it.
“Desert Drifter” you’ve got to get yourself a jacked up 4 x 4 and you could’ve stayed back in there for a long time, that would be no problem for a 4 x 4. I used to navigate roads like that in my Volkswagen bug, that thing was super reliable for me in the desert. your channel Rocks, thanks again for bringing us on your adventure!
The work u put into the discoveries u make is commendable. Hiking and climbing to uncover and peel back the pages of the past for us. U have a great attitude and its cool that u show total respect for any sites u discover. This has quickly became one of my favourite channels.
I'm so proud to live in New Mexico with all it's historical significance and enchanting beauty and wildness. I live in the northern mountains and it's so magical here.
Just starting a 17 day vacation! Flying my Arizona house tomorrow. Love exploring the Bradshaw mountains and everywhere else in there. Just started the video and am gonna take a shot every time you say “huh”! Make me proud!
This adventure, by far,was the best one yet! I felt the loneliness of the area, the fear, these settlers must have felt. To see the unmarked graves of all the people lost, made me realize how fragile life can be. When you got to the petroglyphs, my curiosity got the best of me and wanted to explore more. You have such a way of drawing the person in, with your details, history, and emotions. Thank you for making this adventure, one that I will always remember.
It is amazing how important that canyon was to a lot of people for a very, very long time even before the Apache were there. Great history the amount ot petroglyph is amazing
You are a master of intrigue and suspense. I get so caught up in your stories of possibilities, it's like I'm standing right beside you. Thank you for your interest in our great southwest history, from a friend in the Shawnee Hill's and Trail of Tears area's of Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois.
The object hanging in the sky is a surveillance blimp along the lines of the Tethered Aerostat Radar System. I worked with the group in Baltimore that used to have one of those floating (tethered) above some National security concerns. This one is probably used for border security based on where you are located.
Edward Abbey worked for the Park Service back in the days before they made so many roads to the famous spots. If you haven't read his books, you should. He had an English professor in college who told him he would never be an author. He ended up with quite a few books published. He became a master of one word sentences. He said a word is worth a thousand pictures, if it is the right word. I like words, but I am glad to see the video of all the places you take us. I used to drive a truck all over the country and often wished I could park it and go exploring for a few days.
I partly grew up in AZ, but I'm Canadian and live in the rainforest of the PNW, love watching your show, an unknown, and unknowable to me, landscape. Merry Christmas!
I believe what you saw floating in the sky was a tethered Aerostat balloon. They can be used as sensor platforms for various purposes (camera platforms, radar stations, RF detection capabilities).
Historically interesting places, but that canyon's rock symbols were fantastic - so much and so varied. At 30:35 it looks like some kind of plant petroglyph on the suspended rock in the upper right corner....hmmm...and another mid-screen at 30:53 )(could it be corn?) and below it - that very interesting glyph - like abstract art! What a neat adventure - thanks so much!
Amazing amount of rock art in one video. After a long career as a Forester I so wish I had video of all the beautiful forests I worked in from the coastal Trinity mountains to Lassen’s gorgeous cascades and a good while at Tahoe’s Sierras. All were so beautiful. Much of it has since burned. Capture while you can. Great drifting again. 😃
What a great video! Thanks for bringing the past to life. The graves were so very sobering! My great grandfather witnessed a stagecoach attack by a group of native Americans a valley west of Lehi, Utah. (Just south of Salt Lake City) He was only 8 years old but was sent to bring in a group of cattle home. What a horrible thing to witness!
The pits in the rocks are for a crude way of cooking. The pits would have been filled with whatever ingredients that they had and water would be added along with hot rocks from a fire...
Some of those glyphs were surely related to seeing spaniards with the crosses. Also, the glyph of the man with glasses and a beard would have been influenced by 1800's settlers but more likely, I imagine either a white man the apache respected enough to portray or maybe someone that left his image in their minds they killed. Your videos spark the imagination of those times for sure. Some of those glyphs are much older, no doubt. I think the apache added some newer artwork, though. Your videos are excellent and really take us out there with you. Thank you for sharing!
stone boiling comes to mind with the stone bowls "Once they have achieved an optimal temperature, the stones are quickly placed into a ceramic pot, lined basket or other vessel holding water or liquid or semi-liquid food. The hot stones then transfer the heat to the food."
My husband and I discovered your channel tonight. We have been married 51 years. I have loved hiking in the mountains with my husband since we were on our honeymoon. Arthritis and nerve damage has taken that joy from me. Thanks for the journey!
It's rather sad when you think about people who died and were buried in random places w/o any documentation or proper headstone. The possibility of their families left behind that never knew what happened to them or heard from them ever again. I was backpacking once on a three day loop and came across 12 evenly spaced piles of rocks that definitely were graves and one smaller one, none with any headstone in the middle of nowhere. If it hadn't been winter time and all the vegetation dried out and no leaves, I probably wouldn't have even noticed them. They were literally over 75 yds away from the trail I was on and had only stopped to take a "nature" break.
I have become an avid fan of your channel. In my younger days I loved to hike and explore areas around where I lived but your adventures thrill me. What I like even more is how you give homage to those who came before us and don't disperse objects you've found. I wish you good travels and safety in your future.
Thank you Mr Andrew! Your content is always very interesting and well presented. I greatly appreciate you educating your viewers and sharing your perspective on what you discover. Keep up the good work, and please always stay safe.
Just an amazing testament to how strong both the travellers and residents were back then. Thank you for bringing us along. So beautiful in its stark reality.
Watching from New Mexico and that looks like my backyard! What a love about the Southwest you can see from miles and miles! Beautiful country! Love your videos!
Wow! A super interesting sojurn that potentially covers hundreds if not thousands of years. Who knows? The Mimbres culture certainly has left its mark. Thank you for another cool adventure with great commentary.
What the History channel should have been…. Instead, we got “Aliens” guy 😂. Love your storytelling! Edit- maybe you did see aliens too with that weird thing floating in the sky, must have come over from Jersey.
You are sooo brave! I would never have gone in there alone. However, without adventurous folks like yourself; people like me would never know this stuff exists. It's magical! Thank you ❤
Awesome, Ft. Cummings. The wife and I camped at Cooke's Spring earlier this spring. I read the book, Annals of Old Fort Cummings by William Parker MD as we sat there in the very place that the book is written about. It was very very cool.
Hello! If you ever come back this way, there are several more petroglyph sites within a mile of the site you found, including the Sunman, which apparently was used as a season calendar. Love all your videos! Keep them coming and take care.
One can imagine that during those times, that place was seen on both sides as hell on earth. For the Apachies their last chance to stop the whites and for the traveler's, the valley of death. Neither of which were happy to be there. I paused during your drone shot and looked at the holes for a moment. Something said it is a burial site. The poles extended from the rocks and sky burials were done there. Notice the direction of the feet in the artwork. And no hunting pictographs either. As you know, the game near a burial site is for the dead so its something to investigate. You may find crevasses that have rocks cemented in them. The bones would have been sealed inside. If i were a warrior facing the future of my family and community, that would have been the place I would have spent prior to battle. One thing about your video's is, there's no absence of questions you provoke. I would love to ponder every aspect of these places. It would take several days to really immerse yourself with all the minute details to be discovered. Unfortunately souvenir hunters have stolen history that has no pages or photographs. They were the story. I can't express how grateful I am that you replace everything in situe. Thats honorable and worth commendations.
The black “hair” you found is a cow’s “switch.” It’s the furry part at the end of their tail they use for swatting flies. They often get clumps pulled by brush & such.
24:07 knowing how hard it is to capture the beauty of a landscape with a camera, that view there, of the sky, the clouds, the harsh terrain, must have been spectacular!
If memory serves me right, the man who has the TH-cam channel "Born 100 years too late" explored part of this area with his mules. Excellent video and history, thanks!!
Anyone else use these videos to escape the corporate rat race??? Six figure salaries are only cool if you have the time to enjoy your passions in life! Get outside are explore more, wish I could be more like Desert Drifter
6 figures or week to week. I think anyone and everyone would rather just get out and have no worries. You don’t need money to enjoy life, who wants to work half your life? if you’re able to sit up out of bed and put your feet on the floor and start your day, that’s an adventure right there. Anything can happen.
Well I don't have a six figure income. I barely survive. But he's just as wonderful to me. To be able to see what I'll never visit is just awe inspiring.
Wow. This was like 2 different videos - from the bleak to the beautiful. That rock was incredible! But the energy around those graves was intense. Time to do the Ghost Dance...
I know exactly where you were; it's practically my backyard. There's a petroglyph collection other side of the mountain range you were on. Look up the county name and petroglyphs, and you'll find it. That "weird thing in the sky" is a tethered aerostat blimp, and a daily feature out here.
Of course I have no idea where you were at in this video, but here is an interesting tidbit of history. One of my wife's ancestors was a Captain in the 1st Dragoons and graduate of West Point. His name was Henry W. Stanton. His father...also named Henry....was a general. In 1855 after a several hundred mile chase of Apaches on horseback and with their horses worn out and dying, Stanton was ahead of the column scouting with some other soldiers. Upon their return they were ambushed by Mescalero Apaches. Two privates were killed right off and Stanton directed the rest of his men to high tail it back to the column. While firing at the Apaches with his Sharp's carbine he was shot and killed. The closest present day town is Mayhill...New Mexico I believe....but maybe not. I do know however that Fort Stanton N.M. is named in his honor. Who knows...perhaps he met his end in the area you are hiking in.
That's likely just a Border Patrol observation (tethered) dirigible. They have lots of sensors and cameras on them and spot/track movements of people (smugglers, etc) with them.
I'm curious, what did the sign say by the footprints? It unfortunately looked like there had been carvings freshly removed from that area where the footprints were😢. Another excellent video. Thank-you!!
The view from the drone of the "water holes" I believe were post holes. They are a perfect semi-circle. Just what jumped out at me. I'm not an expert, just an old archaeology fanatic.
That was overwhelming. The emotions that were stirred, the amazement of the pictographs, the bewilderment at humanity and its way of taking and giving and violence against each other group or individual. Thank you so much for the discoveries and wonder at so many things human development over centuries.
Hey everyone, thanks for watching. If you're interested in trying MyHeritage for free, check out this link bit.ly/DesertDrifter. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to each of you!
❤❤❤❤
border patrol Blimp is the thing hovering in the air it is actually anchored
I think you picked up a horseshoe nail.
water retentions
There is a wolf statue at 27:55 above that canine/wolf foot print!!!!! Did you see that?!?!
Thank you for your representation of the Apache people. I am a member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe and a descendent of 3 bands of Apache-Mescalero, Chiricahua and Lipan. Our people were nomadic and roamed southern Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. I enjoy your show and was excited to see you exploring White Sands and the historical areas of our people. I appreciate how you treat the areas with respect and never remove artifacts. Be safe 😊
I'm sure you have heard of the peoples from Aztlan, who legend has it they were from the four corners. My question is what nation, or tribes did the represent other the ancient Aztec? Can you shed any light?
It's not just the amazing places that you show but it's your eloquent well spokeness and historical information you tell that draws me in so much. You should also consider having a channel that's just you recounting historical events and things of that nature and I would happily listen to you all day. You have a true gift for this very thing you do and it baffles me that your channel doesn't have millions of subscribers but I am willing to bet that is going to change before too long. There's a lot of content on TH-cam but there's not a lot that delivers this level of perfection and quality like you do and I'm very happy to have found you. Keep up the great work and always be safe.
this above 100%
Thank you so much for the encouragement
I agree!
Me too!
I agree. Thank you for how you bring these historical places to life.
I'm 71 years old now. A couple of years ago, my wife and I visited Arizona (and the southwest) for the first time. What an amazing, tortured landscape it is! The coyote and roadrunner don't do it justice. You sir, are giving me what I can't give myself... you are allowing me to walk by your side and see more of this amazing place. Your respect for the history you discover is as it should be. God bless you. May you and yours be safe.
Well said Sir....🇦🇺
Amen
I’m 78. Can’t get out any more.
Having lived in Arizona all my life, I totally agree with you 😁(also the people who live here are just as tortured as the landscape 😂)
I was station at Ft. Huachuca, AZ. I and other troops we would travel the canyons just on the fort property. Not far Mexico. From the main Flag on post was seven miles to the border.
The object in the sky is an Aerostat Balloon operated by the Border Patrol. They are huge, roughly the size of a B-747 and contain a look-down radar to observe low-flying aircraft and ground traffic. They are spaced along our southern border with Mexico and are usually kept between 10 and 15 thousand ft above the ground. Not only that, but they have been there starting in the early 1980's. They are attached to a tether that allows them to be reeled in for maintenance or high winds. Excellent episode Andrew. I live in Tucson and have camped and hiked the Chiricahua Mt. region of far SE Arizona and the Gila Wilderness of western NM. It is an amazing area of the SW US for sure.
That’s actually an interesting fact!
Agree thanks for sharing!
Yep, that's what I thought to. Actually I first thought he was making a joke shooting his own drone. But later I realized he was serious and it was probably an Aerostat.
I saw the one launched in Valentine, TX in the 80s. Maybe early 90s. I was just a kid. I still see it flying occasionally when I'm out that way.
Yes. I've seen the one near Marfa, TX.
Correct - They are a Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS balloon) used to monitor weather conditions and other sensing devises are housed therein.
The object in the sky is a Border Patrol Blimp. They have several, and they are spaced so that they can monitor a very wide area of the landscape.
I was going to say either this or it’s a chinook
Yup. An Aerostat. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerostat
Not border patrol, but FAA, I think.
It's a border blimp. There's one like that between Deming and Columbus, NM.
That IS the one between Deming and Columbus.
I see it every day.
I'm 68. My grandpa left home in KY at age 14 in 1894. He learned to drive a 6 mule team from there with a wagon full of supplies to the west coast. Then he'd pick up stuff from there and maybe even a couple passengers to bring back. He told me stories about trading with friendly Indians along the way. And a few stories about close calls he had. He never said what route he took but I have always imagined it was where you are here. My grandson is 14. I can not imagine him or any other 14 yr old heading out at 14 to make their own way in the world especially in such a dangerous way. He wasn't my biological grandpa. Both of those died before I was born. He was 20 years or so older than granny was and she was 80 when he died at age 101. He fell off the roof or who knows how long he'd have lived. He was so very strong. Granny lived to be 100. She was born in 1900. What amazing things they saw in their lives. Can you imagine?
I cannot imagine how resourceful the native people had to be to survive in that extremely harsh environment.
At one time, it wasn't that harsh. But weather patterns changed and the rains stopped and that was it.
Whenever we dammed the rivers and changed the water flow a lot of areas went barren.
It's called welfare from the Federal Government
@@schmoelenk8983 lol the "welfare" programs we know today weren't really a thing until after WWII
Andrew, I’m 62 disabled vet female who loves history and nature. I am grateful for your channel, because I get to go on adventures through you and I love everyone of them. Thank you Andrew for all you do and carrying us with you. Love and blessings, Sandy in Far Northern California
Red Bluff, CA also enjoys these amazing hikes...
Desert Drifter you're right those Mortars were for grinding seeds, roots, grain or anything else. Basically a prehistoric food processor. They are no longer smooth inside because over the centuries rain and the elements have eroded the sides exposing the natural layering of the bedrock sandstone. The pestles were often hidden by the women when they left to be uncovered when they returned, or if not they were easy souvenirs carried away by later visitors. I remember as a kid I was looking at several mortars and happen to see a long cylindrical pestle stashed in crevice under some boulders. Its still there I hope. love your channel!
Andrew if you see this before Christmas wishing you and your wife a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Merry Christmas Mary!
🎅🏼
I spoke with a native fella that was a surveyor. He told me of a BLM boundry he was surveying in utah. He was using the original hand written survey book from when it was originally done for the feds in the 1800s. He said he turned the page of the book and the handwriting changed. Thought maybe he was missing some pages. The paragraph written by the new surveyor introduced himself and told the fate of the previous surveyor. Turns out they were attacked by natives and some of the party were killed. He said he started looking around and found shell casing and arrowheads. True or not, it was an interesting story, especially as a surveyor in my past life.
Your video brought back fond memories of that fella. Ran into him a few times for about a year or two. That's been probably 10-15 yrs ago now. He was an interesting fella
Great story
The Jicarilla Apache & Apache Nations are tribes several hours from where I live. You’re in my state and I recognize where you’re going and what you’re looking for. My mom was an archeologist here in the Southwest. Know many stories about this area. Even the oil & gas industry respects the land and its history…we all drive tredipaciouqsly when on their tribal land! Andrew, you’re a brave man and I just gained an added respect for you on this journey! ❤🙏
This is top notch content. The ads with Mrs. Desert Drifter are so funny
Haha, glad you like them. This one in particular was fun. Evelyn could barely keep a straight face
@@Desert.Drifter not sure if you guys realize that the ads are customized to your viewing history and Google searches. 😮
Came here to say the same thing. I love Evelyn! She’s so funny. Andrew is ok too 😉
@@zoomster2004they’re referring to the in-video sponsorship ad
I like your sense of timing because it feels like we’re making these discoveries in real time right along with you.
My wife and I have watched every one of the videos you have put out. This is by far the coolest place yet as far as artwork
I agree so interesting
Yes. And the depictions are much different. The Ancestral Puebloan had many humanoid depictions.
Yes it was really a phenomenal place. Glad you enjoyed it!
Every video gets 2 views minimum from me! Usually watching as I fall asleep, and then rewatching in its entirety. -- I would also like to say to anyone here who don’t make any type of content AS A PRESENTATION to/for the world. Knowledge of subject(s) he talks about alone is one thing.
Knowing camera gear / equipment & droning (when legal to) & then to present it all… cohesively, and what seems effortless.. is a gem 💎 of quality creator & story teller that we get to watch.
Thank you for these journeys you take us on !
Thank you for having deadcats & quality audio in high winds !
Your production quality is outstanding!
You have a gift of putting thoughts and words together , making the story interesting. Thank you very much
I love the way the viewer feels like they're right there with you! Excellent video!
Thank you, Desert Drifter, for your amazing travels and wisdom shared. These videos are a labor of love for those of us who can no longer get out there and explore. 🙏💯❤️✨️
You have grown into a great storyteller! Thank you
In the last year, your channel has become one of my favorites. I'm an East coast kid to the core (CT, western Mass, upstate NY & NYC), but I spent a few very memorable years working in the red rock canyons and high deserts of Southern UT.. Some of the most amazingly beautiful, peaceful and spiritual places I've ever experienced. I yearn to return.. In the meantime, I can live vicariously through your videos. Much respect to you and your sense of adventure, desire to explore, learn and educate. Thank you ☮️❤️🙏🏼
When a person visits and explores UTAH, is almost a Spiritual experience because one would come to realize that Only God could of create something so absolutely beautiful, I myself would get tears in my eye's when I with my husband and children visited many places in our beloved UTAH ❤❤❤
I crawl in bed turn out the lights.. listen to this man’s amazingly soothing voice .relax and off to zzzz-land.
Glad you're getting good quality advertisers to support the channel!
It may look barren to many, but the vast desert is home to me. It has a stark beauty. But waiting for spring, and the subsequent green and wild flowers, blanket that land. Yes, it looks like the land only grows dirt of baked tan and brown, but in spring green takes over and blooms. Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, and inspiring. Although I live in the Southwestern Appalachia, I'd give everything to move back to where my where my soul sings. The desert.
The Bareness is much of what make the Deserts so beautiful! I've spent a little time around the Arizona deserts spending time with family friends and had a chance to see the different things they used to survive in the Desert and it's not as sparse food wise as people think. It's truly beautiful but I'm from the North East and I could never live without the green and the mountains (hills for you Westerners) and all the lakes and streams and game etc! But the Deserts are breathtakingly beautiful!
I'm from Ithaca NY and I now live in Stockton CA
You are absolutely right, I miss the N
E and don't think I will ever be able to get back to my real home.
@@Kordziel Oh, that is truly sad! I'm so sorry for you! Just never give up hope though, you never know!
This video was one of the coolest I've seen. All that rock art was amazing. Thank you so much for showing us that
Yes. I got goosebumps at home, I can't imagine actually being there.
Interesting hike and history. My grandmother's uncle Lorenzo Wright and his brother Seth were killed by Apache Indians in 1885 in a ambush near Safford, Arizona which is about 100 miles west of Massacre Canyon.
Hi Bill! Are you from the Florence area? If so we used to be in your ward! Very interesting piece of family history you shared!
Just wanted to say you inspired me to go to college and study Anthropology. Thank you.
Good for you! I'm a retired Archaeologist and had a lot of fun and saw some very interesting things.
That's awesome! I hope you find it a meaningful experience and career. Continue watching the channel to keep me in line with my facts lol!
@@Desert.Drifter will do lol 😆
hi, thanks so much for your content. I am an avid explorer and conservationist. I'm glad you don't pinpoint your locations, it keeps out the riff raff. Love your expeditions.
I really like how you made the video look like the cover of a book. Already tells a story. Definitely growing into your own style. Keep growing. Love every moment in that growth.
Thanks for that feedback and for joining me on the journey!
I thought Australia was a vast desolate landscape, and while it is, your videos have opened my eyes to the extensive landscapes of the US. I had always assumed having a population 13x larger than ours would mean not many places wouldn't have people around, but from your videos I see now how wrong this is. Amazes me how many fascinating landscapes are scattered throughout the US that are so isolated (Yet native Americans still somehow found their way out here long before us). While we have some incredible stuff here in Australia most of the inland country is just flat, barren red dirt, but US seems to have these awesome landscapes all throughout. The actual size of the canyon system is one thing in particular that blows my mind, we have nothing like that here. Would love to see some Australia desert drifting one day!!
A lot of people have no idea just how vast the amount of land the US government does own--the federal government owns and manages approximately 650 million acres of land in the United States-about 30% of the nation's total surface area. While some of it is uninhabitable, and I do approve of the efforts to preserve a lot of the natural beauty and history of many areas, I also think it ridiculous the amount of land they hold since the laws state that the government is only supposed to own the Washington DC area, and ten miles around forts and bases (or some amount like that) 😄You are right though, there are tons of gorgeous places here. I must say, Australia has some absolutely drop-dead gorgeous places too--I have always wanted to visit Australia, but it's highly unlikely to happen, so I must be content with pictures and video. G'day, mate!
The land from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean is mostly empty.
Every city on earth could fit in Texas alone : )
The American west is incredibly vast and expansive with endless places of wonder to explore. The nice thing is there are typically fire or mining roads to get everywhere compared to Australia (if I'm correct) where a lot of the continent is just wild virgin land which makes it hard to access. I still hope to get to Australia + New Zealand some day though... cheers mate.
You're the best Andrew. Happy Holidays!
This program in particular set me to thinking what it must have been like for the natives to watch their land being invaded, taken over by hoards of people so different from themselves. When you look at it from their point of view . . .
Yes, it'' s the law of nature and we are indivisible part of that vicious circle.The settlers left slavery of Europe to be hunted by the Apaches.Many made it to the promised land and now they are running back from the paradise land back to the hot desert lands of Arizona.
Most were passing through, but history tells us the intertribe wars, so their response understandable, sadly.
Don't forget history repeats itself
You forgot they also invaded each other lands as well. They aren't innocent either.
@@phalcon23but they didn’t destroy the land or kill all the creatures on it. Big difference
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you Andrew & your wife Evelyn.
Sad to see the graves and people's loss from 1866-7. Incredible that only 2 years later the transcontinental railroad opens, and the deadly journey to the west coast turns into a trip on a train.
Trains did get attacked as well from time to time
I live in Phoenix, Arizona and I want to explore the desert more often than I am able to. I really enjoy your videos. The way the natives lived interests me very much.
@jordanheimer774: If you're in Phnx, then get out of your safe space, grow a set, and do the exploring yourself. The time will come when you're truly physically unable to do it yourself, and by then, all you'll have is regrets, and there's nothing you can do about it.
“Desert Drifter” you’ve got to get yourself a jacked up 4 x 4 and you could’ve stayed back in there for a long time, that would be no problem for a 4 x 4. I used to navigate roads like that in my Volkswagen bug, that thing was super reliable for me in the desert.
your channel Rocks, thanks again for bringing us on your adventure!
The work u put into the discoveries u make is commendable. Hiking and climbing to uncover and peel back the pages of the past for us. U have a great attitude and its cool that u show total respect for any sites u discover. This has quickly became one of my favourite channels.
I'm so proud to live in New Mexico with all it's historical significance and enchanting beauty and wildness. I live in the northern mountains and it's so magical here.
Certainly a beautiful state with a history incredibly unique
Just starting a 17 day vacation! Flying my Arizona house tomorrow. Love exploring the Bradshaw mountains and everywhere else in there. Just started the video and am gonna take a shot every time you say “huh”! Make me proud!
What was the final count? haha
@ 2.5 lol. Your first huh was a haw lol. Love your videos Brother
And I must also say that the music you select for your videos is invariably appropriate and evocative. Also, the editing is masterful.
I’m 72 and retired. I love this channel. It helps me escape boredom. Takes me away from reality for a moment.
This adventure, by far,was the best one yet! I felt the loneliness of the area, the fear, these settlers must have felt. To see the unmarked graves of all the people lost, made me realize how fragile life can be. When you got to the petroglyphs, my curiosity got the best of me and wanted to explore more. You have such a way of drawing the person in, with your details, history, and emotions. Thank you for making this adventure, one that I will always remember.
It is amazing how important that canyon was to a lot of people for a very, very long time even before the Apache were there. Great history the amount ot petroglyph is amazing
One of your best on all levels . Thanks
You are a master of intrigue and suspense. I get so caught up in your stories of possibilities, it's like I'm standing right beside you. Thank you for your interest in our great southwest history, from a friend in the Shawnee Hill's and Trail of Tears area's of Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois.
The object hanging in the sky is a surveillance blimp along the lines of the Tethered Aerostat Radar System. I worked with the group in Baltimore that used to have one of those floating (tethered) above some National security concerns. This one is probably used for border security based on where you are located.
Thanks for the insight!
Edward Abbey worked for the Park Service back in the days before they made so many roads to the famous spots. If you haven't read his books, you should. He had an English professor in college who told him he would never be an author. He ended up with quite a few books published. He became a master of one word sentences. He said a word is worth a thousand pictures, if it is the right word. I like words, but I am glad to see the video of all the places you take us. I used to drive a truck all over the country and often wished I could park it and go exploring for a few days.
I partly grew up in AZ, but I'm Canadian and live in the rainforest of the PNW, love watching your show, an unknown, and unknowable to me, landscape. Merry Christmas!
I lived in Arizona for awhile and now I live in the Pacific Northwest. Love exploring the mountains of Washington State.
I believe what you saw floating in the sky was a tethered Aerostat balloon. They can be used as sensor platforms for various purposes (camera platforms, radar stations, RF detection capabilities).
The amount of rock art is incredible. So much history to be seen.
I was a desert drifter 40 years ago . As a rock hound / prospector I wandered the SW. This is my escape now. Thank you Andrew
Historically interesting places, but that canyon's rock symbols were fantastic - so much and so varied. At 30:35 it looks like some kind of plant petroglyph on the suspended rock in the upper right corner....hmmm...and another mid-screen at 30:53 )(could it be corn?) and below it - that very interesting glyph - like abstract art! What a neat adventure - thanks so much!
Amazing amount of rock art in one video. After a long career as a Forester I so wish I had video of all the beautiful forests I worked in from the coastal Trinity mountains to Lassen’s gorgeous cascades and a good while at Tahoe’s Sierras. All were so beautiful. Much of it has since burned. Capture while you can. Great drifting again. 😃
What a great video! Thanks for bringing the past to life. The graves were so very sobering! My great grandfather witnessed a stagecoach attack by a group of native Americans a valley west of Lehi, Utah. (Just south of Salt Lake City) He was only 8 years old but was sent to bring in a group of cattle home. What a horrible thing to witness!
Desert drifter is my in my top 3 channels on TH-cam. THANKS FOR YOUR HARD WORK!❤
The pits in the rocks are for a crude way of cooking. The pits would have been filled with whatever ingredients that they had and water would be added along with hot rocks from a fire...
A substitute for pottery for a nomadic culture , and they carried the water in skins or gourds. I wonder how long that site has been used ?
Some of those glyphs were surely related to seeing spaniards with the crosses. Also, the glyph of the man with glasses and a beard would have been influenced by 1800's settlers but more likely, I imagine either a white man the apache respected enough to portray or maybe someone that left his image in their minds they killed. Your videos spark the imagination of those times for sure. Some of those glyphs are much older, no doubt. I think the apache added some newer artwork, though. Your videos are excellent and really take us out there with you. Thank you for sharing!
Wait!!! Glasses, Beard? SANTA CLAUS:----Everyone! 🎄Merry Christmas🎄
stone boiling comes to mind with the stone bowls "Once they have achieved an optimal temperature, the stones are quickly placed into a ceramic pot, lined basket or other vessel holding water or liquid or semi-liquid food. The hot stones then transfer the heat to the food."
My husband and I discovered your channel tonight. We have been married 51 years. I have loved hiking in the mountains with my husband since we were on our honeymoon. Arthritis and nerve damage has taken that joy from me. Thanks for the journey!
It's rather sad when you think about people who died and were buried in random places w/o any documentation or proper headstone. The possibility of their families left behind that never knew what happened to them or heard from them ever again. I was backpacking once on a three day loop and came across 12 evenly spaced piles of rocks that definitely were graves and one smaller one, none with any headstone in the middle of nowhere. If it hadn't been winter time and all the vegetation dried out and no leaves, I probably wouldn't have even noticed them. They were literally over 75 yds away from the trail I was on and had only stopped to take a "nature" break.
I have become an avid fan of your channel. In my younger days I loved to hike and explore areas around where I lived but your adventures thrill me. What I like even more is how you give homage to those who came before us and don't disperse objects you've found. I wish you good travels and safety in your future.
Wow!! I can't believe that I know where you are in this video!! There is a whole lot that went on in that area aside from what you posted.
Thank you for taking us along. The old ones had so much knowledge and close to the land.
Thank you Mr Andrew! Your content is always very interesting and well presented. I greatly appreciate you educating your viewers and sharing your perspective on what you discover. Keep up the good work, and please always stay safe.
Just an amazing testament to how strong both the travellers and residents were back then. Thank you for bringing us along. So beautiful in its stark reality.
Watching from New Mexico and that looks like my backyard! What a love about the Southwest you can see from miles and miles! Beautiful country! Love your videos!
it is overe by Deming
Very interesting stuff! I’m an old farmer; that looks like part of a cow’s tail to me.. Probably blew there, or brought by a pack rat. Happy Holidays!
The pot holes could have been mortars and rain catchers simultaneously. Thanks for all your hard work and skills. You are a raisin among the flakes.
Wow! A super interesting sojurn that potentially covers hundreds if not thousands of years. Who knows? The Mimbres culture certainly has left its mark. Thank you for another cool adventure with great commentary.
What the History channel should have been…. Instead, we got “Aliens” guy 😂. Love your storytelling! Edit- maybe you did see aliens too with that weird thing floating in the sky, must have come over from Jersey.
Maybe you should capture that thing in the sky and use it for the next Bleepin build. Cheers from Michigan!
@@michaelhancock9636 lol, is it car shaped? We needed a better view of that thing!
Awesome, we live Silver City, been about 10 years since we last visited the ruins, that Canyon and petroglyphs . Safe travels. 😊🙏💕
Some serious treasure symbols and possible maps right there. Dang. Love these videos BTW. Thanks for the amazing content!
You are sooo brave! I would never have gone in there alone. However, without adventurous folks like yourself; people like me would never know this stuff exists. It's magical! Thank you ❤
@Caroliapeach22: Without people like him, everyone would still be curled up on the East Coast!
You've quickly became my favorite channel. Thank you for all that you do!
Awesome, Ft. Cummings. The wife and I camped at Cooke's Spring earlier this spring. I read the book, Annals of Old Fort Cummings by William Parker MD as we sat there in the very place that the book is written about. It was very very cool.
Wow that’s Crazy how you found all the rock carvings
Hello! If you ever come back this way, there are several more petroglyph sites within a mile of the site you found, including the Sunman, which apparently was used as a season calendar. Love all your videos! Keep them coming and take care.
One can imagine that during those times, that place was seen on both sides as hell on earth. For the Apachies their last chance to stop the whites and for the traveler's, the valley of death. Neither of which were happy to be there. I paused during your drone shot and looked at the holes for a moment. Something said it is a burial site. The poles extended from the rocks and sky burials were done there. Notice the direction of the feet in the artwork. And no hunting pictographs either. As you know, the game near a burial site is for the dead so its something to investigate. You may find crevasses that have rocks cemented in them. The bones would have been sealed inside. If i were a warrior facing the future of my family and community, that would have been the place I would have spent prior to battle.
One thing about your video's is, there's no absence of questions you provoke. I would love to ponder every aspect of these places. It would take several days to really immerse yourself with all the minute details to be discovered. Unfortunately souvenir hunters have stolen history that has no pages or photographs. They were the story. I can't express how grateful I am that you replace everything in situe. Thats honorable and worth commendations.
The black “hair” you found is a cow’s “switch.” It’s the furry part at the end of their tail they use for swatting flies. They often get clumps pulled by brush & such.
Wife and I love your channel, you get to places I can only dream of.
Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and your family! *J&S*
24:07 knowing how hard it is to capture the beauty of a landscape with a camera, that view there, of the sky, the clouds, the harsh terrain, must have been spectacular!
If memory serves me right, the man who has the TH-cam channel "Born 100 years too late" explored part of this area with his mules. Excellent video and history, thanks!!
Just amazing, as always. Thank you for sharing your quests. Please stay safe and well and keep them coming.
Anyone else use these videos to escape the corporate rat race??? Six figure salaries are only cool if you have the time to enjoy your passions in life! Get outside are explore more, wish I could be more like Desert Drifter
This comment makes me sad. Money can never buy happiness: except jet skiing, it’s proven.
Vicariously through the drifter!!
6 figures or week to week. I think anyone and everyone would rather just get out and have no worries. You don’t need money to enjoy life, who wants to work half your life? if you’re able to sit up out of bed and put your feet on the floor and start your day, that’s an adventure right there. Anything can happen.
Well I don't have a six figure income. I barely survive. But he's just as wonderful to me. To be able to see what I'll never visit is just awe inspiring.
100%
Desert Drifter is back, with an amazing show. I am binging.
Wow. This was like 2 different videos - from the bleak to the beautiful. That rock was incredible! But the energy around those graves was intense.
Time to do the Ghost Dance...
This was wonderful, Andrew. I'm really grateful for these mini-reprieves from the day to day.
Your a great story teller.
👍🏻
That was an awesome rock art gallery between those boulders
Among my favorite of your records of journey and history, Thanks for making it!
Amazing Trip, love the video and all that history, thanks for sharing this journey thru time. You go where we only dream of going.
Hello kind sir I love the escape from this channel.
Happy holidays and merry Christmas to you and your family! 🎁🎄🎁🕊️
Wow these are getting better and better . Way to go
I know exactly where you were; it's practically my backyard. There's a petroglyph collection other side of the mountain range you were on. Look up the county name and petroglyphs, and you'll find it.
That "weird thing in the sky" is a tethered aerostat blimp, and a daily feature out here.
Of course I have no idea where you were at in this video, but here is an interesting tidbit of history. One of my wife's ancestors was a Captain in the 1st Dragoons and graduate of West Point. His name was Henry W. Stanton. His father...also named Henry....was a general. In 1855 after a several hundred mile chase of Apaches on horseback and with their horses worn out and dying, Stanton was ahead of the column scouting with some other soldiers. Upon their return they were ambushed by Mescalero Apaches. Two privates were killed right off and Stanton directed the rest of his men to high tail it back to the column. While firing at the Apaches with his Sharp's carbine he was shot and killed. The closest present day town is Mayhill...New Mexico I believe....but maybe not. I do know however that Fort Stanton N.M. is named in his honor. Who knows...perhaps he met his end in the area you are hiking in.
That's likely just a Border Patrol observation (tethered) dirigible. They have lots of sensors and cameras on them and spot/track movements of people (smugglers, etc) with them.
I'm curious, what did the sign say by the footprints?
It unfortunately looked like there had been carvings freshly removed from that area where the footprints were😢. Another excellent video. Thank-you!!
The view from the drone of the "water holes" I believe were post holes. They are a perfect semi-circle. Just what jumped out at me. I'm not an expert, just an old archaeology fanatic.
You mean potholes?
Where would they find posts big enough for those big holes?
That was overwhelming. The emotions that were stirred, the amazement of the pictographs, the bewilderment at humanity and its way of taking and giving and violence against each other group or individual. Thank you so much for the discoveries and wonder at so many things human development over centuries.