Happy 2025 to each of you! Excited for what the New Year holds. If you'd like to join the Patreon community here's the link patreon.com/DesertDrifter?Link
Love your vids. I'm always astounded by the geology around you while walking. You like to see the ancient stuff but I'm like wait! Go back and check out that rock lol
Like you, I'm a veteran, along with my husband. I'm in my mid seventies now, unable to tramp around anywhere much, ah, but in my dreams, I'm good to go. Now I am right alongside Desert Drifter enjoying the adventure, the scenery, and the discoveries. A salute to you, sir, from one veteran to another. From this side of the pond, i wish you happy adventuring.
@@beccabbea2511 I’m not a veteran, but I have severe ankle issues due to a medical problem. So while I didn’t do any admirable service to cause my issues (was born with it), I’m with you ✊
I live in Somerset, England, and you've shown me how vast America is! Your appreciation for the people who lived there, as well as your attention to detail, are wonderful. I appreciate all aspects of photography, from dramatic landscapes to cutaways of ice with water dancing beneath it. Thank you for your precious artistry and soul.
Andrew - When I first saw the lizard on the rock face @ 15:22, it almost looked real, or at least, had a three-dimension look. Quite a find but like you, I don't believe it was made by the ancients but a later 'artist.'
I live in Somerset England , and you single handedly have shown me just how vast America is ! Your appreciation of the people who lived there and your attention to detail is so wonderful . I appreciate every angle of photography , from the dramatic vistas to the cutaways of ice with water dancing underneath it . Your artistry and soul is precious 🙏🏻thank you
Agreed. There's a certain level of excitement when you see a new video has posted. I can't lie I spent about three days watching all of his videos when I first found the channel. But he really does deserve at least an independent film award. This is truly entertaining as well as educational. I have a newfound respect for the ancient ones. I can only imagine how spiritual it must be to be in the presence of these artifacts and structures. It almost forces the imagination to envision weren't the ancient ones must have been thinking feeling and just living day-to-day back then. What struggles did they face that we have the luxury of not fearing these days. How on earth did they grow and store enough food to survive in a landscape that is seemingly impossible to do so in. Perhaps that's why we are so drawn to his videos. Whatever it is I'm hooked😅
A former Somerset boy here, enjoying Andrew's work from the South Pacific. Desert Drifter reaching many audiences with his unique take on the American South West ❤
Thank you for taking me ( an 81 year old lady) alone on your journeys. I really enjoy all your videos and have learned so much. I have always been fascinated with Native American history. Keep the videos coming. From Deep Southeast Mississippi. ❤
There is no 'need to deface them', only a personal desire to deface them, which is very different. Don't describe vandalism as 'a need'. We need to breathe, eat, sleep, defend ourselves and loved ones, not to deface ancient rock art. That's motivated by pure mindless vanity and ignorance and sometimes by envy. p.s., I don't get sad, I get mad!
I love seeing new vids of yours I'm going to be 59 next week and I'm a disabled vet, unfortunately, stuck in a wheelchair so I don't get out anymore. I love seeing the world thru your eyes thanks for letting us see thru your eyes, out of all you tubers your my favorite, thanks for the trips I cannot do anymore.
He really makes me feel included somehow! I just love his adventures, that I can't do myself. (Also thank you so much, for your service to your country and its people. )
You’re better than the Discovery Channel have they asked you to be their point man yet people would pay you to take them to places like that you could be a scout get it chief
@antonio: Ditto here (100%), but my physical disability is from too many, but not enough of doing what he's doing. I even have difficulty climbing a flight of stairs and only the ones with handrails so I can pull myself up to each step. His vids are something I look forward to just because they take me back to a time I could perform what he's doing now. Of course, it's not to say that's the only reason, just the beginning.
I just really want to thank you for the respect you hold with the ancient ones. Thank you for documenting everything you do, and what you stand for. I'm a tribal member of the Lummi Nation in Washington State. I wish that our rock stories were well documented before they got defaced, or removed. I'm sure the ancestors can feel your heart when you go on your outings ❤
I wanted to drop a quick note here to tell you how much I have appreciated your videos these past few months. I just lost my nephew to cancer after a painful five month battle. When I needed something to distract me, I watched your, and a few other channel's videos. I watched a lot the old stuff from before I found your channel, rewatched just about everything posted since. And I looked forward to the new stuff. I am not trying to get sympathy, as some might think. I have plenty of that from my friends and family. I just wanted you to know that you made a difference in my life when I was struggling mentally and emotionally, and I appreciate it. We buried him today and I was thrilled to see the new video. You are a great host and I like how you explain stuff to those who are inexperienced with the area.
@@teresadvorak6145 Thank you. His church was completely full of people there to honor and remember him. Literally almost 500 people, maybe more. So many people had such kind things to say about him. It made me realize what a gift he was. I never saw him get angry, use foul language, or say anything hateful. When he was 14, he and his father were at an OU home football game. A guy came up, all belligerent and telling Ben that he was in his seat. Ben just said, "No, I have sat in this seat since I was 2.." The guy got angry and before my brother could step in, Ben just said, "Let's look at your ticket and I can help you find your seat." The guy was off by one section. Ben walked him over there and said that it happens to a lot of people. The numbering on the bottom level can be confusing when you get to the top. Not angry. Not accusing. Not defensive. Just kind and helpful. I am 53. He was 26. Half my age. I would have gladly traded my life for his. Taken all that pain to let him live. But that is not how life works. I was there the day he was born and the day he passed. I just wish more people could have known him. He would have happily met them all and made them smile.
Your channel is my favorite. I like to get off work, make dinner, eat, and watch your adventures while you educate me. Thank you for showing us the beauty and mystery of the ancient ones.
I subscribed to your channel when you had around 30k subscribers (which wasn’t too long ago), and now you’re almost at half a million. It’s no surprise, given the stunning scenery, flawless narration, and such an intriguing subject matter you share. Congratulations on your fantastic channel, Andrew. God bless, mate.
There are so many, actually too many tubers out there now that only slap a BS vid together, put on a click bait heading just to make money on the advertising to pay for their vacation/adventure or lifestyle. Basically a spin on the "only fans" scam. I live in SE Asia, and every day, a new tuber is out there doing travel vlogs that only show the upside of the country and not the many detracting factors. It is very misleading, and people get in trouble by thinking it's all sun and roses and no danger.
The sheer number of of petroglyphs in that area is astounding! I always wish we had a better understanding of the meanings of the various symbols. What a beautiful and intriguing area! Thank you so much for sharing another fascinating adventure with us. I really enjoyed this! Stay safe, stay well, and drift on.
This is one of the most beautiful canyons you've been in. I'll have to watch this again tonight. Thanks. I wish I could see things like that myself, but it's wise to keep the locations secret.
your thinking is death. should be public. im sure you not even aware whats happanig. who cares some painting , meanwhile giant ares are being washed by your own people in...... people dont destroy things demons do. look it up ... evanston
Hi from Alberta, Canada. Your channel just keeps getting better and better it became my #1 at the beginning of 2024. I'm a huge fan of the US desert SW region to start with but your content takes that to another level. I couldn't wait to see where you were going to take us in 2025, this episode was certainly over the top. A points in time there is so much to take in I just have to rewatch full episodes, some segments over and over and pausing portions to concentrate on. Looking forward to a very interesting 2025, thanks.
One thing is for certain, however one interprets those drawings, they tell a story. Whether we'll ever understand every one of those stories is another thing. Great channel, like many others here, I look forward to and thoroughly enjoy it. Many thanks for sharing your adventures with us. Regards, from the U.K.
Always beautiful. I'd love for you to take a look (with your eye) around my family's ranch. It's near Virgin Utah west of Zion. I be happy to give you a walk about or just access, If you would rather. In any way, you're welcome at my fire anytime. Blessings on your house in 2025
Nothing is "hard to understand." These were people living in the area with primative tools. The human brain hasn't changed for 100k years. They had their problems, families, and joys. Nothing is new. We are people living on a planet going through space. Pretty simple.
Just a thank you for taking people along on your hikes of discovery. As a younger man I had always hoped to make trips to see the traces left for us by these ancient peoples but for one reason or another never managed to get around to it. Thanks to you and a few other content providers on TH-cam, now in my 8th decade, I've at last managed to commune with the ancients through amazingly clear lenses.
The six toe and six finger petroglyphs and pictographs may be related to ancient giants that many tribes of the area have passed on their knowledge of. Love what you do, thank you!👍🏼💜
They are called the nephilim if you read the book of Enoch, which is not the Bible in the Bible Canon, you will see that these angels they look down upon the Earth and saw that the daughters of men were gorgeous and they came down and made wives of their own and when they. Did that they got pregnant and they gave birth to giants who had special powers. They used sorcery incantations, witchcraft voodoo spells. They knew all this and they were called to nephew, for instance, David and Goliath goliath was a nephew. He had 6 fingers, 6 toes and 2 rows of teeth. That's an archeologist.It's amazing that you didn't know this wow anyway I love your channel though
And there was a battle in Gath again, where there was a man of great height, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number. And he also was descended from the giants. Shemu’ĕl Bĕt (2 Samuel) 21:20
Your knowledge of the western deserts and their cultures, both ancient and present is amazing! I find your intuitive reading of the landscape that leads to these discoveries,quite fascinating. The ancient desert drifters also knew what features to look for to find conditions that were conducive to life. You are definitely tapped into spirit of natural surroundings! Thank you for sharing your experience with all of us! Looking forward to seeing more in 2025
I never realised the transition of cultures was so great in the American West. In Britain we talk of Bronze Age. Iron Age etc. This is so similar, just never thought about it before.
New panel= Andrew's equivalent of a dog thinking "SQUIRREL!!!". Andrew: "I can't stop at all of th...OOOHHH, that one looks COOL." 😂 😂😂 I love these little adventures you take us on. Thank you so much. I LOVE and miss the desert, I will eventually get back to that side of the country. Until then, I am hanging out with lots of trees and can only rarely glimpse the horizon, and living vicariously through your videos. I was very sad about not being able to see the horizon when I got to Virginia. It is beautiful here, but even after 11 years, it doesn't TRULY feel like Home. 💚
I am thrilled for this new posting. I watch for them every week and get giddy with excitement when you post a new adventure. Thank you for sharing. I love the southwest.
It's a way of mapping the trail, hunting spots, spiritual consulting and guidance. Again thank you so much, for keeping me in connection with ancestry.
15:16 No, the lizard looks much more recent. It's a more realistic rather than representative style, and most of the other glyphs you've shown are old enough that the engravings are starting to patina, whereas the lizard appears very bright against the desert varnish.
I check every couple of days Andrew . I also haunt the southwest canyons and hope maybe one day to cross paths . Thank you for showing the world the places I love .
Interesting. I'm sure this idea has been floated a hundred times over already, but it seems like those carvings near cliffs and overhangs could easily be used to gauge the passage of time. With one quick look, you could see how far the shadow reaches over a carving, and you'd be able to tell how long you've been there or how much sunlight you have left.
Keep me in your prayers please, family. Been in and out of the hospital the last month and a half. Praying it’s not terminal. 😞 Praying I catch it in time, it gets worse everyday. Thanks Andrew for the this, perfect timing brother, nights are hardest right now. Blessings. 🙏🏻✌🏻☝️☝️
@@cronocideSome of us DO revere them more than Mt. Rushmore. Sadly, there are some who go about destroying things simply because they find it entertaining or think it's funny. If we all valued our ancestors and the beauty they found in their environments, our planet would be a kinder and more gentle place than it currently is. I personally will continue to work on making it a better place a little at a time until my time is up. That is all any of us can do. Namasté.
I'd say that the lizard is modern, the design, the precision of the work, and the lack of varnish within the petroglyph, on a rock face with heavy varnish.
Andrew, thank you for your latest video and allowing us to live vicariously through your adventures! I especially enjoyed the images depicting the wildlife of the area which the people who lived at that time apparently held in high esteem. It seems "otherworldly" that humans could adapt to and sustain themselves in such harsh environments. That place is a treasure-trove of ancient culture.
In all the turmoil that's going on in our world. My part of the world (fires).I go to your channel to feel better. Thank you. Watching from Cherryvalley ca.
When you turned around and saw that panel across the river I instantly thought of Family portraits showing off or representing two large familes to eachother on either side of the river. 🤷 Another absolutely amazing journey! Thank-you!
Thank you for all the amazing imagery! This comment relates to what I think may one, simple (certainly not the only) explanation of the imagery. Maybe they were commemorating an event, much like we take pictures today. Their way of saving and sharing it.
I'm from Australia and am sometimes reminded of Aboriginal art symbols in the pictographs you show. A spiral, for example, was used here to indicate a waterhole or campsite. A horizontal zigzag, trees. Parallel wavy lines showed running water. It's maybe taking the 100th Monkey phenomenon a stretch too far, but some of these symbols really do give me pause for thought. As do your videos!
thank you! I think many of these images are guides as to how, where and when to hunt, where to camp, finding water, avoiding enemies. They should not be dismissed as merely ceremonial or decorative. Often they represent profound things they actually saw in the sky. There's evidence that suggests planets may not always have been where they are now.
Yes, these aren’t all just senseless scribbles. Some of these took both time and “tooling”… an instrument harder than the stone (becoming a pencil) to leave a specific message.
The desert varnish is created by bacteria on the rock surface. This is a fairly recent discovery as it was long thought to be caused by mineral migration from inside the rock. But so far no one seems to have developed a method of dating based on the biology. Climate, weather, degree of exposure to the sun, and other factors make dating and establishing a time frame the process difficult. I am getting curious about the geology now. Looks like a good day to go to the library.
As a Scotsman i find it baffling that Americans will not revere these things as anything more than... I don't know how to say it in English, it's like finding stuff more important than Romans it's way more significant, a whole unique culture from bottom up.
Right. They don’t want us to know nothing bout our history. Knowledge is power and that’s the last thing they want us common folk havin. Hope all is well over there across the pond. Take care
Nothing is "hard to understand." These were people living in the area with primative tools. The human brain hasn't changed for 100k years. They had their problems, families, and joys. Nothing is new. We are people living on a planet going through space. Pretty simple.
European Americans don’t want the true history of this land to be taught. They would rather leave it in the dark and only teach you what they want you to know so they can continue to be viewed as superior and the real “founders” of this land. Sad shame and this will continue to be their narrative.
I think it’s primarily because of the conflict and tension of the Europeans that created America and the various tribes that are intensely jealous and hostile towards Americans and Europeans in spite of the fact that they would still be Stone Age savages living loves of suffering and starvation if Europeans had not arrived. Especially Europeans, but also many if not most Americans (including this channel) romanticize “the native Americans” in some kind of odd noble racist reference that is really rather odd. Because fact of the matter is that these tribes were largely nothing like the peaceful, nature vibing, spiritual beings they are made out to be, but rather they were brutal, savage, primitive, sadistic Stone Age beasts that raped, murdered, enslaved, and slaughtered men, women, and children; both other tribes as well as European settlers. The real opportunity is really to study what Stone Age primitives were like. But the romanticizing and excuse making for these tribes impedes honest and objective, scientific exploration and truthful understanding.
The pecks on the wall, reminds me of an old topical maps or how you would mark in the dirt with a stick or your finger to show someone the lay of the land and landscapes, where to take cover, find food, elk, goats, etc... and water. Possibly, showing which tribes and where those tribes were at any time of the year.
Andrew…I think you have discovered “ The Louvre of the Southwest”! I Love all the amazing expression by the peoples who came before us! I get so upset when I see graffiti over the petroglyphs, I could just throttle the disrespectful vandals😢 Thanks again for taking us along with you. You are like Mr. Rogers the hiking instructor, and teacher of the history in these areas. You are so soft spoken and gentle. I hang on your every word, and get such joy when you get excited finding a new “Anything” to share with us. Blessings to you and your wife for 2025! May your calendar be filled with all the excursions you can handle, with many wanting to come back for more!😊. Hugs from Kentucky 💕TK
Andrew, I’m half Costarrican, half Vermonter. I love art, history and nature. I found your channel a couple of months ago and I truly enjoy your videos. Your knowledge, respect and kindness shines bright. May God protect you on every adventure. Thank you for bringing is along. Happy blessed 2025!
I just need to thank you for sharing these awesome adventures you go on. I used to love every minute I could be out in the wilderness exploring. Unfortunately I ended up with Lyme disease and have been battling it for years. I still spend as much time as possible outdoors, but I sadly don’t have the energy to hike, or go very far anymore. So I live vicariously through wonderful people like you, who take me along on these treks. ❤
I just Love hoofin' around the wilderness with you in the freezing cold! (From the comfort of my couch, of course! With a blanket!)😆 Happy New Year and New Treks! God Bless!🤎💚
Love your videos! Takes me back to a time I did the same. From New Mexico, to Arizona, to Utah.. I always found that dwelling inside the questions for longer periods helped me understand more than just wanting to quickly have an answer. Happy hunting, my friend!
If you haven't met her yet, you should get to know Carol Patterson, the first American to get a PhD in rock art. Many are like stain glass windows in European cathedrals--they are outlines of tribal stories, from the various tribes who have lived in the area. She lives in Bluff, UT.
I really appreciate that you protect the places you find by not disclosing the locations and leaving the artifacts in place. As you know, there are national parks that anyone can visit to see some ancient sites. I want to add that I think you do a fantastic job of editing the video you take, including the drone inclusions and with the background music added. One year done, hoping for many more.
Happy New Year to you and your loved ones. Thank you for always sharing your adventures with us and teaching us to be better and kinder humans with our Mother Earth.🙏🌎
The spirals are my favorite. I've found myself drawing them when I'm doodling when I'm on hold. I wish I knew why they liked the spirals. Great work Andrew❤
Happy 2025 Andrew and excited to see where you take us this year! You’re channel has definitely motivated me to get back down to the southwest and explore with our now ready kiddos
Thank you, thank you, for taking us to a place we all should know about. As with all of your videos, it's quiet, with challenges, history, and a chance to be with a small part of the world. I need to leave the nutty world I'm living/dealing with, I know others are here for the same reasons, too, THANK YOU!!! ❤😂😆😉 The sound of the water is wonderful.
So interesting…I learn so much on each and every episode of this series. The petroglyphs on the canyon walls were amazing. I especially liked the lizard created by an extremely talented artist of the past! I’m not going to speculate what their meanings are, but I assume they had a specific usefulness to the original creators of this region.
“Desert Drifter” at the beginning of the video you started naming what certain things look like and I said looks like Elvis hair - immediately after I said that out loud to myself you show a picture of Elvis. I cracked up laughing so hard.!! 🤣 I literally can watch your videos for hours, thank you for bringing me along on your adventures double D…!!!
sex is a pretty big theme as well. sometimes whole panels of birthing and penises. my favorites are the obvious hallucinogen pictographs. sometimes they were done by fire light and the figures dance alive on the wall when seen that way and not by the sun. look into kachinas which many times are best seen at night casting shadows that become 3 dimensional.
Thank you! You’re doing AMAZING work! I very much appreciate your contribution! It’s extremely worthy. I only found you almost a year ago, and you’ve become a favorite in these crazy times. The only certainty is change; and the ancients pass the message. God Bless, ❤
Watched the entire video already. Its good. Its unbelievable you ran into a Sasquatch in the desert. I didn't think adapt Sasquatches could adopt to an hot environment like that.
Even though this episode was not very different than some others, there is something about this one that touched me. Possibly the perfect natural light or even the ice, I can't say. As to understanding the writing, well, cuneiform and hieroglyphs are maybe more complicated. So, I have confidence in you. Thank you, Andrew.
@@riparianlife97701some of the abstract ancient ones are difficult to draw and this usually includes the strange spiritual beings that pop up all over the southwest at least where I have been in Utah and Vegas that are some panels that are of one age and type ancient then there are others in the moapa valley in Vegas that have series of primitive clumps of circles or cells. Probably denoting ancient counting of peoples. That lizard one looks very similar to images found in the internet that could be printed and transferred with charcoal or other chalks to make the outline and use modern tools to make all those clean curves. If ancient man in this area had today’s tools they would have excelled beyond the lizard. Also, there seem to be some type of art that are individual free style forms and others that follow rules of ratio, proportion, and order and style of the drawings that point to an agreed language that like Egyptian hieroglyphs have three or more meanings depending on their relation to each other
Couldn't some of the people naturally be better artists? LOL Or perhaps this had no special meaning. So some bored talented ancient teen left his mark? I so don't want it to be recent! I would be curious for an answer, I fear drifter is right
I love that you take us along on your journeys and explorations. I've always dreamt of riding, and exploring the desert southwest. I never made it and likely never will as I'm nearly 70 now and my horseback riding days are over. Thank you so much. You take the time to show us the beautiful landscape and talk about the discoveries you make along the way with a lot of detail and information that makes me feel like I am right there experiencing it in person. How I would love to be able to sit in an ancient site, look out at everything and experience the sights, smells, and sounds as they did. Thank you for doing this for all of us who are unable but share in your joy of discovery and exploration.
I sent this to my niece who has small children inside on some very cold days, with the suggestion of an obstacle course. Or hunting for a hidden treasure. Or drawing animals from memory. What an adventure!
These petroglyphs are some of the most detailed I have seen, even discounting the lizzard. They were very aristic even not inclu ding the lizzard. They seemed totally capable of doing that lizzard.
I wonder if anyone has studied and documented that long line and gathered people wall art? That looks like a very long and important journey being committed to historic records by those people. Showing the various tribes or tribal members, the game hunted along the trail , possibly landmarks along the way and time according to either the sun,sky,stars and the moon following their journey during the traveling. It looks important to me to them, you dig?😁👍 Thanks again so much for sharing your thoughts time and showing us these rare treasures! Happy New Year 🎉
I need your videos !! The adventure and the amazing way you tell the story of the people who once lived there !! You make sure they're not forgotten !! 😂 Ok,ELVIS, is that YOU ??🧐
I like what you said at the end about rock writing. I wonder if the rock art is more of a rock map. Since most groups were nomadic up until around 2000 years ago, they could have easily left clues to follow. Each group may have had their own symbols for different things that can be found nearby. After numerous generations the symbols may change from the original shape but still holds the same meaning. Could be why there are so many in one canyon. All it takes is something to happen to one generation of people and then the trails are not used again for a few generations and found by a new group of people.
Listening to Native American people‘s and watching your channel brings me to a very new realization of “rock art“. I believe as I listen to the older elders talk about how they communicated in the past brings me to the realization of how these paintings/carvings were sign posts /maps for people traveling in the area. hence when you get a squiggly river, if you look at how many bands in the river and stuff if you were to follow the river to that point you would probably find either another settlement or something else that would point you to another direction. They were maps for the indigenous people to follow.
What beautiful landscape and photography in this one! First the rocks themselves are a work of art anyway and then the amazing petroglyphs literally all over the place and then the photography and your thoughts about it all. Wonderful! I'm an artist so to me the whole canyon looked like a gigantic ancient artists' colony. This is a gorgeous video - thank you!
For crossing those pesky streams that are cold, slippery, and about 10.5” or so further than you can reliably jump, a short, stout staff is helpful. It can be a (1) prop to stabilize you, and/or a (2)short pole vaulting gizmo. Best to not try switching it over to a fishing pole on the way over. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
Wow, what a beautiful magical landscape! All those pillow shapes and slick sides and colors - the rock writing is cool but so are those rocks and little cave mouths and slots and scattering of plants - a very alive magical landscape. Earth art so fine.
I grew up in the mountains of northern New Mexico, and have hiked many landscapes like the ones you show us. I was so very naive in the ways of the ancient cultures - I love watching your videos. Left the area many years ago (1966) but it still feels fresh in my mind when I join in with you. Thank you.
The more I watch your captivating videos, the more I think the images you see need to be archived. As you say the desert is taking itself back. Thank you again ,
Thanks so much for doing these videos. Older virtual hiker here. Thanks for not rushing the video on the rock engravings that we can pause if needed to see the detail. For the figures that are higher off the ground could you show how much they are elevated? of course, Why / how did they elevate them?! Fascinating.
You have no idea how much these hiking videos mean to me! In March I'll be 84 and so am very limited in my own hiking. For decades, I walked these canyons and climbed cliffs all over the Four Corners area, but especially the Cedar Mesa area. I hope to get back out there this spring to do some hiking, but nothing like you are continually doing. Enjoy and keep hiking and recording for me and others. The horned serpent at 20:38 was extremely unique.
Happy 2025 to each of you! Excited for what the New Year holds. If you'd like to join the Patreon community here's the link patreon.com/DesertDrifter?Link
Happy new Year to you and your family too, may 2025 brings you a lot of beautiful journeys , stay happy and healthy. Much love from The Netherlands
Read my post below!
I prefer to call the "rock art", rock history, it seems more of a way of their lifestyle than just boredom doodling....thnx for the wonderful videos!!
Happy New Year! 🎉🙏🏻🌟
Love your vids. I'm always astounded by the geology around you while walking. You like to see the ancient stuff but I'm like wait! Go back and check out that rock lol
I’m get a big smile when I see you have a new vid. I’m a disabled veteran and you take me places I’ll never get to see. Thank you so much
Thank you for your service and for your sacrifice…I mean it.
Like you, I'm a veteran, along with my husband. I'm in my mid seventies now, unable to tramp around anywhere much, ah, but in my dreams, I'm good to go. Now I am right alongside Desert Drifter enjoying the adventure, the scenery, and the discoveries. A salute to you, sir, from one veteran to another. From this side of the pond, i wish you happy adventuring.
@@beccabbea2511 I’m not a veteran, but I have severe ankle issues due to a medical problem. So while I didn’t do any admirable service to cause my issues (was born with it), I’m with you ✊
As the grandson of a Polish officer we cannot thank you enough, you are such tough people.💪
Same here sir. I agree
I live in Somerset, England, and you've shown me how vast America is! Your appreciation for the people who lived there, as well as your attention to detail, are wonderful. I appreciate all aspects of photography, from dramatic landscapes to cutaways of ice with water dancing beneath it. Thank you for your precious artistry and soul.
Andrew - When I first saw the lizard on the rock face @ 15:22, it almost looked real, or at least, had a three-dimension look. Quite a find but like you, I don't believe it was made by the ancients but a later 'artist.'
I live close to somerset KY so now I know why they have somersets in California n Kentucky ❤
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I live in Somerset England , and you single handedly have shown me just how vast America is ! Your appreciation of the people who lived there and your attention to detail is so wonderful . I appreciate every angle of photography , from the dramatic vistas to the cutaways of ice with water dancing underneath it . Your artistry and soul is precious 🙏🏻thank you
well said, indeed the photography , and editing are outstanding.
Agreed. There's a certain level of excitement when you see a new video has posted. I can't lie I spent about three days watching all of his videos when I first found the channel. But he really does deserve at least an independent film award. This is truly entertaining as well as educational. I have a newfound respect for the ancient ones. I can only imagine how spiritual it must be to be in the presence of these artifacts and structures. It almost forces the imagination to envision weren't the ancient ones must have been thinking feeling and just living day-to-day back then. What struggles did they face that we have the luxury of not fearing these days. How on earth did they grow and store enough food to survive in a landscape that is seemingly impossible to do so in. Perhaps that's why we are so drawn to his videos. Whatever it is I'm hooked😅
A former Somerset boy here, enjoying Andrew's work from the South Pacific. Desert Drifter reaching many audiences with his unique take on the American South West ❤
@@fijitimeislandlifevlog hello my babbers ! Girt lush to eat from e x
@@lovedaybebe5881 it's been a while since I got a girt lush 😆 have a Scrumpy for me 🍺 thanks
Thank you for taking me ( an 81 year old lady) alone on your journeys. I really enjoy all your videos and have learned so much. I have always been fascinated with Native American history. Keep the videos coming. From Deep Southeast Mississippi. ❤
Where you live there is also native culture to discover. Very interesting history.
66 year old Wisconsin grandmother agrees. Thanks so much Andrew.
It’s sad there are people who can’t respect the art and feel the need to deface them.
Some people are mental clods, and don't appreciate history.
Folks who have no honor, moral compass, or connection to any higher spiritual guidance.
There is no 'need to deface them', only a personal desire to deface them, which is very different. Don't describe vandalism as 'a need'. We need to breathe, eat, sleep, defend ourselves and loved ones, not to deface ancient rock art. That's motivated by pure mindless vanity and ignorance and sometimes by envy. p.s., I don't get sad, I get mad!
@@johnbruce2868You did it huh😮
I love seeing new vids of yours I'm going to be 59 next week and I'm a disabled vet, unfortunately, stuck in a wheelchair so I don't get out anymore. I love seeing the world thru your eyes thanks for letting us see thru your eyes, out of all you tubers your my favorite, thanks for the trips I cannot do anymore.
He really makes me feel included somehow! I just love his adventures, that I can't do myself. (Also thank you so much, for your service to your country and its people. )
You’re better than the Discovery Channel have they asked you to be their point man yet people would pay you to take them to places like that you could be a scout get it chief
If you live near San Diego, I could take you out on my folding rail cart!
@antonio: Ditto here (100%), but my physical disability is from too many, but not enough of doing what he's doing. I even have difficulty climbing a flight of stairs and only the ones with handrails so I can pull myself up to each step.
His vids are something I look forward to just because they take me back to a time I could perform what he's doing now. Of course, it's not to say that's the only reason, just the beginning.
I just really want to thank you for the respect you hold with the ancient ones. Thank you for documenting everything you do, and what you stand for. I'm a tribal member of the Lummi Nation in Washington State. I wish that our rock stories were well documented before they got defaced, or removed. I'm sure the ancestors can feel your heart when you go on your outings ❤
I wanted to drop a quick note here to tell you how much I have appreciated your videos these past few months. I just lost my nephew to cancer after a painful five month battle. When I needed something to distract me, I watched your, and a few other channel's videos. I watched a lot the old stuff from before I found your channel, rewatched just about everything posted since. And I looked forward to the new stuff. I am not trying to get sympathy, as some might think. I have plenty of that from my friends and family. I just wanted you to know that you made a difference in my life when I was struggling mentally and emotionally, and I appreciate it. We buried him today and I was thrilled to see the new video. You are a great host and I like how you explain stuff to those who are inexperienced with the area.
God bless U, your family & friends ❤
@@teresadvorak6145 Thank you. His church was completely full of people there to honor and remember him. Literally almost 500 people, maybe more. So many people had such kind things to say about him. It made me realize what a gift he was. I never saw him get angry, use foul language, or say anything hateful. When he was 14, he and his father were at an OU home football game. A guy came up, all belligerent and telling Ben that he was in his seat. Ben just said, "No, I have sat in this seat since I was 2.." The guy got angry and before my brother could step in, Ben just said, "Let's look at your ticket and I can help you find your seat." The guy was off by one section. Ben walked him over there and said that it happens to a lot of people. The numbering on the bottom level can be confusing when you get to the top. Not angry. Not accusing. Not defensive. Just kind and helpful. I am 53. He was 26. Half my age. I would have gladly traded my life for his. Taken all that pain to let him live. But that is not how life works. I was there the day he was born and the day he passed. I just wish more people could have known him. He would have happily met them all and made them smile.
Your channel is my favorite. I like to get off work, make dinner, eat, and watch your adventures while you educate me. Thank you for showing us the beauty and mystery of the ancient ones.
Loved the addition of historical photos of people. Well done!
I subscribed to your channel when you had around 30k subscribers (which wasn’t too long ago), and now you’re almost at half a million. It’s no surprise, given the stunning scenery, flawless narration, and such an intriguing subject matter you share. Congratulations on your fantastic channel, Andrew. God bless, mate.
Agree, 100%
There are so many, actually too many tubers out there now that only slap a BS vid together, put on a click bait heading just to make money on the advertising to pay for their vacation/adventure or lifestyle. Basically a spin on the "only fans" scam.
I live in SE Asia, and every day, a new tuber is out there doing travel vlogs that only show the upside of the country and not the many detracting factors. It is very misleading, and people get in trouble by thinking it's all sun and roses and no danger.
I’m always stunned by the seemingly endless country you explore, and all the art (or writing) you show us. You are a blessing.
YES!! God Bless You. 💕
The geology of the place is amazing
Its Utah
The sheer number of of petroglyphs in that area is astounding! I always wish we had a better understanding of the meanings of the various symbols. What a beautiful and intriguing area! Thank you so much for sharing another fascinating adventure with us. I really enjoyed this! Stay safe, stay well, and drift on.
Compare with world symbology. The deer man and the bird man are everywhere, etc.
This is one of the most beautiful canyons you've been in. I'll have to watch this again tonight. Thanks. I wish I could see things like that myself, but it's wise to keep the locations secret.
wise and necessary
your thinking is death. should be public. im sure you not even aware whats happanig. who cares some painting , meanwhile giant ares are being washed by your own people in...... people dont destroy things demons do. look it up ... evanston
He’s in Utah, those of us that live here recognize all these spots
Hi from Alberta, Canada. Your channel just keeps getting better and better it became my #1 at the beginning of 2024. I'm a huge fan of the US desert SW region to start with but your content takes that to another level. I couldn't wait to see where you were going to take us in 2025, this episode was certainly over the top. A points in time there is so much to take in I just have to rewatch full episodes, some segments over and over and pausing portions to concentrate on.
Looking forward to a very interesting 2025, thanks.
One thing is for certain, however one interprets those drawings, they tell a story. Whether we'll ever understand every one of those stories is another thing. Great channel, like many others here, I look forward to and thoroughly enjoy it. Many thanks for sharing your adventures with us. Regards, from the U.K.
Always beautiful. I'd love for you to take a look (with your eye) around my family's ranch. It's near Virgin Utah west of Zion. I be happy to give you a walk about or just access, If you would rather.
In any way, you're welcome at my fire anytime.
Blessings on your house in 2025
Nothing is "hard to understand." These were people living in the area with primative tools. The human brain hasn't changed for 100k years. They had their problems, families, and joys. Nothing is new. We are people living on a planet going through space. Pretty simple.
Your videos are astounding. Not only the knowledge and study, but the cinematic and production values are absolutely incredible!
Just a thank you for taking people along on your hikes of discovery. As a younger man I had always hoped to make trips to see the traces left for us by these ancient peoples but for one reason or another never managed to get around to it. Thanks to you and a few other content providers on TH-cam, now in my 8th decade, I've at last managed to commune with the ancients through amazingly clear lenses.
Your writing , musical choices and narrative are excellent. Thank you for sharing this journey into the past.
Beautiful walk about with lovely "art" all along the way. I enjoyed listening to the water babbling and gurgling as it flowed.
The six toe and six finger petroglyphs and pictographs may be related to ancient giants that many tribes of the area have passed on their knowledge of. Love what you do, thank you!👍🏼💜
A five finger hand on a wall means humans live here that won't eat you.
They are called the nephilim if you read the book of Enoch, which is not the Bible in the Bible Canon, you will see that these angels they look down upon the Earth and saw that the daughters of men were gorgeous and they came down and made wives of their own and when they. Did that they got pregnant and they gave birth to giants who had special powers. They used sorcery incantations, witchcraft voodoo spells. They knew all this and they were called to nephew, for instance, David and Goliath goliath was a nephew. He had 6 fingers, 6 toes and 2 rows of teeth. That's an archeologist.It's amazing that you didn't know this wow anyway I love your channel though
And there was a battle in Gath again, where there was a man of great height, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number. And he also was descended from the giants.
Shemu’ĕl Bĕt (2 Samuel) 21:20
Your knowledge of the western deserts and their cultures, both ancient and present is amazing! I find your intuitive reading of the landscape that leads to these discoveries,quite fascinating. The ancient desert drifters also knew what features to look for to find conditions that were conducive to life. You are definitely tapped into spirit of natural surroundings! Thank you for sharing your experience with all of us! Looking forward to seeing more in 2025
Lovely canyon with a beautiful clear creek. This alone makes the trip worthwhile.
I never realised the transition of cultures was so great in the American West. In Britain we talk of Bronze Age. Iron Age etc. This is so similar, just never thought about it before.
New panel= Andrew's equivalent of a dog thinking "SQUIRREL!!!".
Andrew: "I can't stop at all of th...OOOHHH, that one looks COOL." 😂 😂😂
I love these little adventures you take us on. Thank you so much. I LOVE and miss the desert, I will eventually get back to that side of the country. Until then, I am hanging out with lots of trees and can only rarely glimpse the horizon, and living vicariously through your videos. I was very sad about not being able to see the horizon when I got to Virginia. It is beautiful here, but even after 11 years, it doesn't TRULY feel like Home. 💚
Great! Thanks! The old photos are amazing! Much love for real, this is the best channel i did not know i need in my life!
I am thrilled for this new posting. I watch for them every week and get giddy with excitement when you post a new adventure. Thank you for sharing. I love the southwest.
Thank you Andrew for taking us on another amazing trip in that Lost valley
It's a way of mapping the trail, hunting spots, spiritual consulting and guidance. Again thank you so much, for keeping me in connection with ancestry.
15:16 No, the lizard looks much more recent. It's a more realistic rather than representative style, and most of the other glyphs you've shown are old enough that the engravings are starting to patina, whereas the lizard appears very bright against the desert varnish.
I agree 💯
It is very well done!
Nothing better to watch than your video for Friday night, after long day at work. Thank you for the adventurous time.
I check every couple of days Andrew . I also haunt the southwest canyons and hope maybe one day to cross paths . Thank you for showing the world the places I love .
Interesting. I'm sure this idea has been floated a hundred times over already, but it seems like those carvings near cliffs and overhangs could easily be used to gauge the passage of time. With one quick look, you could see how far the shadow reaches over a carving, and you'd be able to tell how long you've been there or how much sunlight you have left.
What an amazing voyage. Love the area n views. Thanks for letting me tag along. And on to the next adventure.
Keep me in your prayers please, family.
Been in and out of the hospital the last month and a half. Praying it’s not terminal. 😞
Praying I catch it in time, it gets worse everyday.
Thanks Andrew for the this, perfect timing brother, nights are hardest right now.
Blessings. 🙏🏻✌🏻☝️☝️
I know it came out 6 hours ago, but my pain just started, so I waited to watch it.
Prayers coming forth, Sensi, and let's all think on the cancer ending, not you!
Prayers for you Sensi.
Praying for your full recovery Sensi.
I’ll pray for you!! 🙏🏼
I truly hope that sometime in the future you create a DVD/Blue Ray series by region that you have traveled to and explored………. Truly love your channel
Welcome to the new year. I'll journey with you on here. Big Thank You.
I feel like these rock art panels are the ancient's way of preserving memories of specific events. Much like we do today with photographs.
Great fights and loved warriors, we in Europe cant believe these things are not revered more than mount Rushmore.
@@cronocideSome of us DO revere them more than Mt. Rushmore. Sadly, there are some who go about destroying things simply because they find it entertaining or think it's funny. If we all valued our ancestors and the beauty they found in their environments, our planet would be a kinder and more gentle place than it currently is. I personally will continue to work on making it a better place a little at a time until my time is up. That is all any of us can do. Namasté.
I'd say that the lizard is modern, the design, the precision of the work, and the lack of varnish within the petroglyph, on a rock face with heavy varnish.
Andrew, thank you for your latest video and allowing us to live vicariously through your adventures! I especially enjoyed the images depicting the wildlife of the area which the people who lived at that time apparently held in high esteem. It seems "otherworldly" that humans could adapt to and sustain themselves in such harsh environments. That place is a treasure-trove of ancient culture.
In all the turmoil that's going on in our world. My part of the world (fires).I go to your channel to feel better. Thank you. Watching from Cherryvalley ca.
Stay safe!
When you turned around and saw that panel across the river I instantly thought of Family portraits showing off or representing two large familes to eachother on either side of the river. 🤷 Another absolutely amazing journey!
Thank-you!
Thank you for all the amazing imagery! This comment relates to what I think may one, simple (certainly not the only) explanation of the imagery. Maybe they were commemorating an event, much like we take pictures today. Their way of saving and sharing it.
I'm from Australia and am sometimes reminded of Aboriginal art symbols in the pictographs you show. A spiral, for example, was used here to indicate a waterhole or campsite. A horizontal zigzag, trees. Parallel wavy lines showed running water. It's maybe taking the 100th Monkey phenomenon a stretch too far, but some of these symbols really do give me pause for thought. As do your videos!
thank you! I think many of these images are guides as to how, where and when to hunt, where to camp, finding water, avoiding enemies. They should not be dismissed as merely ceremonial or decorative. Often they represent profound things they actually saw in the sky. There's evidence that suggests planets may not always have been where they are now.
So just as an example: parallel wavy lines on a narrow canyon wall could be a warning that area can flash flood.
@@kathykonkle1097 Makes sense, Kathy.
Yes, these aren’t all just senseless scribbles. Some of these took both time and “tooling”… an instrument harder than the stone (becoming a pencil) to leave a specific message.
The desert varnish is created by bacteria on the rock surface. This is a fairly recent discovery as it was long thought to be caused by mineral migration from inside the rock. But so far no one seems to have developed a method of dating based on the biology. Climate, weather, degree of exposure to the sun, and other factors make dating and establishing a time frame the process difficult. I am getting curious about the geology now. Looks like a good day to go to the library.
As a Scotsman i find it baffling that Americans will not revere these things as anything more than... I don't know how to say it in English, it's like finding stuff more important than Romans it's way more significant, a whole unique culture from bottom up.
Right. They don’t want us to know nothing bout our history. Knowledge is power and that’s the last thing they want us common folk havin. Hope all is well over there across the pond. Take care
Nothing is "hard to understand." These were people living in the area with primative tools. The human brain hasn't changed for 100k years. They had their problems, families, and joys. Nothing is new. We are people living on a planet going through space. Pretty simple.
European Americans don’t want the true history of this land to be taught. They would rather leave it in the dark and only teach you what they want you to know so they can continue to be viewed as superior and the real “founders” of this land. Sad shame and this will continue to be their narrative.
We do revere them. Every culture has its idiots.
I think it’s primarily because of the conflict and tension of the Europeans that created America and the various tribes that are intensely jealous and hostile towards Americans and Europeans in spite of the fact that they would still be Stone Age savages living loves of suffering and starvation if Europeans had not arrived. Especially Europeans, but also many if not most Americans (including this channel) romanticize “the native Americans” in some kind of odd noble racist reference that is really rather odd. Because fact of the matter is that these tribes were largely nothing like the peaceful, nature vibing, spiritual beings they are made out to be, but rather they were brutal, savage, primitive, sadistic Stone Age beasts that raped, murdered, enslaved, and slaughtered men, women, and children; both other tribes as well as European settlers.
The real opportunity is really to study what Stone Age primitives were like. But the romanticizing and excuse making for these tribes impedes honest and objective, scientific exploration and truthful understanding.
The pecks on the wall, reminds me of an old topical maps or how you would mark in the dirt with a stick or your finger to show someone the lay of the land and landscapes, where to take cover, find food, elk, goats, etc... and water. Possibly, showing which tribes and where those tribes were at any time of the year.
So happy to see a new video!😊
Andrew…I think you have discovered “ The Louvre of the Southwest”! I Love all the amazing expression by the peoples who came before us! I get so upset when I see graffiti over the petroglyphs, I could just throttle the disrespectful vandals😢 Thanks again for taking us along with you. You are like Mr. Rogers the hiking instructor, and teacher of the history in these areas. You are so soft spoken and gentle. I hang on your every word, and get such joy when you get excited finding a new “Anything” to share with us. Blessings to you and your wife for 2025! May your calendar be filled with all the excursions you can handle, with many wanting to come back for more!😊. Hugs from Kentucky 💕TK
Andrew, I’m half Costarrican, half Vermonter. I love art, history and nature. I found your channel a couple of months ago and I truly enjoy your videos. Your knowledge, respect and kindness shines bright. May God protect you on every adventure. Thank you for bringing is along. Happy blessed 2025!
I just need to thank you for sharing these awesome adventures you go on. I used to love every minute I could be out in the wilderness exploring. Unfortunately I ended up with Lyme disease and have been battling it for years. I still spend as much time as possible outdoors, but I sadly don’t have the energy to hike, or go very far anymore. So I live vicariously through wonderful people like you, who take me along on these treks. ❤
I just Love hoofin' around the wilderness with you in the freezing cold! (From the comfort of my couch, of course! With a blanket!)😆 Happy New Year and New Treks! God Bless!🤎💚
Beautiful photography … great documentary class
Love your narration and commentary , brings peace and enjoyment
Love your videos! Takes me back to a time I did the same. From New Mexico, to Arizona, to Utah.. I always found that dwelling inside the questions for longer periods helped me understand more than just wanting to quickly have an answer. Happy hunting, my friend!
If you haven't met her yet, you should get to know Carol Patterson, the first American to get a PhD in rock art. Many are like stain glass windows in European cathedrals--they are outlines of tribal stories, from the various tribes who have lived in the area. She lives in Bluff, UT.
I really appreciate that you protect the places you find by not disclosing the locations and leaving the artifacts in place. As you know, there are national parks that anyone can visit to see some ancient sites. I want to add that I think you do a fantastic job of editing the video you take, including the drone inclusions and with the background music added. One year done, hoping for many more.
Happy New Year to you and your loved ones. Thank you for always sharing your adventures with us and teaching us to be better and kinder humans with our Mother Earth.🙏🌎
This place is incredibly beautiful! ❤
The six toed bear could be a clan symbol. 🧸
Six toed Giants
@@joewfultz62 absolutely….Nephilim.
Giants had six toes n double rows of teeth .
The spirals are my favorite. I've found myself drawing them when I'm doodling when I'm on hold. I wish I knew why they liked the spirals. Great work Andrew❤
There is just something about concentric circles, I love to use them in my work.
Love, love, love this channel.
Happy 2025 Andrew and excited to see where you take us this year! You’re channel has definitely motivated me to get back down to the southwest and explore with our now ready kiddos
I live in Wiltshire, U.K. and find your journey’s fascinating. Looking forward to seeing more in 2025
Thank you, thank you, for taking us to a place we all should know about. As with all of your videos, it's quiet, with challenges, history, and a chance to be with a small part of the world. I need to leave the nutty world I'm living/dealing with, I know others are here for the same reasons, too, THANK YOU!!! ❤😂😆😉
The sound of the water is wonderful.
Always an awesome adventure. Thank you for sharing this with us 👍👍
Thank you again for sharing, I look forward to your post each time and you always leave me wanting more. See you next time.
So interesting…I learn so much on each and every episode of this series.
The petroglyphs on the canyon walls were amazing.
I especially liked the lizard created by an extremely talented artist of the past!
I’m not going to speculate what their meanings are, but I assume they had a specific usefulness to the original creators of this region.
18:29 out of all the panels I’ve seen this has got to be one of the biggest. Seeing how big that elk figure is crazy!
Thank you for taking us along
I've been waiting for your first video of the year! So good to see you again!! 😌
“Desert Drifter” at the beginning of the video you started naming what certain things look like and I said looks like Elvis hair - immediately after I said that out loud to myself you show a picture of Elvis. I cracked up laughing so hard.!! 🤣 I literally can watch your videos for hours, thank you for bringing me along on your adventures double D…!!!
Yes, obviously had religious meanings. Strong magic to , help with hunting, commune with the spirits, protect the tribe. etc Another great video.
sex is a pretty big theme as well. sometimes whole panels of birthing and penises. my favorites are the obvious hallucinogen pictographs. sometimes they were done by fire light and the figures dance alive on the wall when seen that way and not by the sun. look into kachinas which many times are best seen at night casting shadows that become 3 dimensional.
Thank you! You’re doing AMAZING work! I very much appreciate your contribution! It’s extremely worthy. I only found you almost a year ago, and you’ve become a favorite in these crazy times. The only certainty is change; and the ancients pass the message. God Bless, ❤
Watched the entire video already. Its good. Its unbelievable you ran into a Sasquatch in the desert. I didn't think adapt Sasquatches could adopt to an hot environment like that.
😂
Maybe they live underground in caves where it's cool in the summer
Even though this episode was not very different than some others, there is something about this one that touched me. Possibly the perfect natural light or even the ice, I can't say. As to understanding the writing, well, cuneiform and hieroglyphs are maybe more complicated. So, I have confidence in you. Thank you, Andrew.
This naturally depicted lizard seems to be a unique piece. If no similar piece is discovered in the region, maybe it is a modern creation ...
It's a bit sad to say it's too good to be old, but it looks too good to be old.
@@riparianlife97701some of the abstract ancient ones are difficult to draw and this usually includes the strange spiritual beings that pop up all over the southwest at least where I have been in Utah and Vegas that are some panels that are of one age and type ancient then there are others in the moapa valley in Vegas that have series of primitive clumps of circles or cells. Probably denoting ancient counting of peoples.
That lizard one looks very similar to images found in the internet that could be printed and transferred with charcoal or other chalks to make the outline and use modern tools to make all those clean curves. If ancient man in this area had today’s tools they would have excelled beyond the lizard. Also, there seem to be some type of art that are individual free style forms and others that follow rules of ratio, proportion, and order and style of the drawings that point to an agreed language that like Egyptian hieroglyphs have three or more meanings depending on their relation to each other
Agree. Made with modern tools.
Couldn't some of the people naturally be better artists? LOL Or perhaps this had no special meaning. So some bored talented ancient teen left his mark? I so don't want it to be recent! I would be curious for an answer, I fear drifter is right
Yeah. Art school graduate's failed attempt to fool scientists.
I love that you take us along on your journeys and explorations. I've always dreamt of riding, and exploring the desert southwest. I never made it and likely never will as I'm nearly 70 now and my horseback riding days are over. Thank you so much.
You take the time to show us the beautiful landscape and talk about the discoveries you make along the way with a lot of detail and information that makes me feel like I am right there experiencing it in person.
How I would love to be able to sit in an ancient site, look out at everything and experience the sights, smells, and sounds as they did.
Thank you for doing this for all of us who are unable but share in your joy of discovery and exploration.
Great Job! Thank you for sharing your adventures.
I sent this to my niece who has small children inside on some very cold days, with the suggestion of an obstacle course. Or hunting for a hidden treasure. Or drawing animals from memory. What an adventure!
Yes! I wonder if this reflects how these very symbols we used a 1000 years ago as an educational trail
These petroglyphs are some of the most detailed I have seen, even discounting the lizzard. They were very aristic even not inclu ding the lizzard. They seemed totally capable of doing that lizzard.
I wonder if anyone has studied and documented that long line and gathered people wall art?
That looks like a very long and important journey being committed to historic records by those people.
Showing the various tribes or tribal members, the game hunted along the trail , possibly landmarks along the way and time according to either the sun,sky,stars and the moon following their journey during the traveling.
It looks important to me to them, you dig?😁👍
Thanks again so much for sharing your thoughts time and showing us these rare treasures! Happy New Year 🎉
I need your videos !!
The adventure and the amazing way you tell the story of the people who once lived there !!
You make sure they're not forgotten !!
😂 Ok,ELVIS, is that YOU ??🧐
Nearly fell off my chair! "Elvis? Is that you?" 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I like what you said at the end about rock writing. I wonder if the rock art is more of a rock map. Since most groups were nomadic up until around 2000 years ago, they could have easily left clues to follow. Each group may have had their own symbols for different things that can be found nearby. After numerous generations the symbols may change from the original shape but still holds the same meaning. Could be why there are so many in one canyon. All it takes is something to happen to one generation of people and then the trails are not used again for a few generations and found by a new group of people.
Listening to Native American people‘s and watching your channel brings me to a very new realization of “rock art“. I believe as I listen to the older elders talk about how they communicated in the past brings me to the realization of how these paintings/carvings were sign posts /maps for people traveling in the area. hence when you get a squiggly river, if you look at how many bands in the river and stuff if you were to follow the river to that point you would probably find either another settlement or something else that would point you to another direction. They were maps for the indigenous people to follow.
What an interesting place with some unusual rock formations. I feel like I went on a cool hike with a knowledgeable guide.
What beautiful landscape and photography in this one! First the rocks themselves are a work of art anyway and then the amazing petroglyphs literally all over the place and then the photography and your thoughts about it all. Wonderful! I'm an artist so to me the whole canyon looked like a gigantic ancient artists' colony. This is a gorgeous video - thank you!
I'm always amazed at how high off the ground many of the images are. Made by people who were tall? Ground was higher? Thanks for bringing us along.
For crossing those pesky streams that are cold, slippery, and about 10.5” or so further than you can reliably jump, a short, stout staff is helpful. It can be a (1) prop to stabilize you, and/or a (2)short pole vaulting gizmo. Best to not try switching it over to a fishing pole on the way over.
Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
Wow, what a beautiful magical landscape! All those pillow shapes and slick sides and colors - the rock writing is cool but so are those rocks and little cave mouths and slots and scattering of plants - a very alive magical landscape. Earth art so fine.
It’s Utah
I grew up in the mountains of northern New Mexico, and have hiked many landscapes like the ones you show us. I was so very naive in the ways of the ancient cultures - I love watching your videos. Left the area many years ago (1966) but it still feels fresh in my mind when I join in with you. Thank you.
Love the Elvis quip!
I love the Reverance that shines through all your videos. Thankyou for sharing so beautifully.
Ah, a new adventure! Thank you for letting us join you!
The more I watch your captivating videos, the more I think the images you see need to be archived. As you say the desert is taking itself back. Thank you again ,
beautiful to look around ever changing
Thanks so much for doing these videos. Older virtual hiker here. Thanks for not rushing the video on the rock engravings that we can pause if needed to see the detail. For the figures that are higher off the ground could you show how much they are elevated? of course, Why / how did they elevate them?! Fascinating.
This is such a cool video. The petroglyphs are fascinating & raise so many questions!
You have no idea how much these hiking videos mean to me! In March I'll be 84 and so am very limited in my own hiking. For decades, I walked these canyons and climbed cliffs all over the Four Corners area, but especially the Cedar Mesa area. I hope to get back out there this spring to do some hiking, but nothing like you are continually doing. Enjoy and keep hiking and recording for me and others. The horned serpent at 20:38 was extremely unique.