Southern Utah is one of my favorite places on Planet Earth..so many options for adventure! I love it!! Nature just “sings” in this area. I’m so grateful to be able explore the local canyons in search of springs and plants…it’s an ADVENTURELAND…for the senses…on every level!!
Here’s a few clips from one of our recent runs up to get wet, in one of the local spring fed canyons!! Barefoot running and being barefoot, really is a joy, and has amazing health benefits. If you haven’t read Christopher Mcdougall’s book, “Born to Run” yet…pick up a copy ASAP, gripping…from beginning to end!! Also, YouTube…David Wolfe and Barefoot Technology. Great info..coming out of the barefoot world. My shoes hardly come on anymore..I LOVE IT. Gardening barefoot is a..MUST!!
In this first video..check out the size and growth of these berries. They grow right up the side of the cliff, slurping up cold spring water under neath them. Gotta love that spring water!!
Hard for me to believe, this is the desert. The Native American people and other early immigrants to this area grew strong in these parts, thanks to the water, volcanic soils and climate. In these last two videos you can see and hear the power of a true spring. Smiles just leap onto your face when standing in places like these.
So grateful to be able to play in this area of the world!! This is in one of the canyons not far from Zion National Park.
Thanks for coming a long on the adventure.
More updates coming from the garden and growing dome…next week, lots of changes!!
I’m fascinated with ancient cultures…and the messages they left us. One of the cultures that wandered the land in these parts were called the Virgin River Anasazi..or Ancestral Puebloans. They actually thrived living in this climate zone..and their history dates back through different periods, ranging from around 1100 AD… to before 6500 BC..!! This seems to be debatable, as with all ancient cultures, but either way… all seem to agree they are at least as old as..1200 BC. People appear to have been inhabiting these parts for eons of time!!
The Anazsazi left many petroglyphs on the rocks and cliffs in SW Utah.
Here’s a video from a trail run we took recently to the Santa Clara River Reserve. Wanted to look upon and feel these glyphs in person..and WOW..they are impressive! Very nourishing for body, mind and spirit!!
The more I learn about the local plants and perennial springs…I can see how the native peoples must have loved it here. The winters are fairly mild and short..and the growing season is fairly long..lasting from April – December. Not to mention the once wandering herds of game…which can still be found in these parts.
Between the waters, canyons, mild temps and the food sources..this place was perfect for year round living. OUTSIDE.
The Anasazi used the 3 Sisters Guild, which is Corn..grown with Squash as an under-story plant… and Beans to climb up the corn..sort of a natural vertical grow system…all the plants benefiting from each other. Still a very effective method…today!!
They left messages on the boulders and cliffs all around SW Utah. These petroglyphshave many theories surrounding them.
One book I’m enjoying immensely.. that delves into these ideas.. is by local writer Ray Urbaniak. He connects these glyphs, to the solstices and equinoxes.. and even shows how light and shadows affect these petroglyphs at different times of the year..and over longer periods of time. Really fascinating ideas!!! Thanks Ray..love it!!
Here’s a link to a preview of the book
“Anasazi of SW Utah: The Dance of Light and Shadow”
by: Ray Urbaniak
I also want to send gratitude and love to the native people that.. still live.. near the far end of Santa Clara Canyon..the Shivwits band of the Paiute tribe. Whom appear to have come on the scene right when about when the Anasazi left..around 1100A.D. They also grew corn, squash and beans…
Here’s the video update from the GROWING DOME, as of a few days ago. An update on the FOOD FOREST is coming soon…
The chard plants are getting enormous..as you’ll see. I’m waiting for the seeds to mature…before I collect them. Have you read this book?? It’s such a great tool, if… you want to learn to save your own seeds or just for a good read..!! It’s packed with great historical references and useful info. Great book!
It says…that… “SWISS CHARD (Beta vulgaris) stalks can grow a seed stalk 4′ tall and are usually harvested when the majority of the seed clusters have turned light brown. These seeds have a different structure from other gardens seeds. Each seed is actually a group of flowers that is fused together by the flower petals. This forms a multigerm cluster which usually contains two to five seeds.” – Seed to Seed by Suzanne Ashworth
Here’s the cool thing. The chards in the Dome, are all heirloom varieties, which should have just pollinated each other…. because of the fans…and isolated environment…. resulting in some very cool new strains of
Been on the lookout on my hikes around these parts, hoping this is the year…to find that elusive, yet ever present GOJI BERRY. In the video, you can hear David mention 15 varieties found in the southwestern deserts. I’m seeing them listed in local herb/plant books too! This video will show you what you’re looking for….
For the Utah wildcrafters, some of the varieties mentioned a lot, areLYCIUM cooperi, LYCIUM andersonii, andLYCIUM pallidum, keep an eye out, and if you spot one, shoot me an email…!!! Would LOVE to grow the local strains a long with their Asian brothers.
Here’s a few video updates from the backyard..FOOD FOREST.
Much has changed.. even in the last two weeks…since these were filmed. The BIG..project this week..is building new supports for hardy kiwis…which will be vining up the east and west sides of the house….providing food…and hopefully shading the house a bit…helping with the A.C. bill, this summer!!!
Maybe we won’t even need the A.C…if we can get the house covered in VINES!!!!
Ok…so had to throw this video in here…because these RED WIGGLERS and their other worm buddies, bacteria, and micro-organisms….are the TRUE KEEPERS…of this garden!! BIG PROPS..to them..and my gratitude!!!
“TEND TO YOUR MICRO-HERDS”….this is a wonderful saying…I picked up while reading “Gaia’s Garden.” An extremely insightful chapter titled: CHAPTER 4 – BRINGING THE SOIL TO LIFE!
Makes sense to me..and feels right!!
THANKS…TOBY HEMENWAY…for writing this work of art!!
We recently took a journey… 5 minutes down to the road…to our local hot spring. It’s called Pah Tempe, which means…the “Healing Water“..in Paiute. It’s owned and cared for by a very kind family who deeply honor the Native American and early immigrant settlers who came to heal from these waters. They live here full time growing their own food and caring for these sacred waters and the surrounding land.
We express our deepest gratitude to this family..for their life’s work..and to those who passed before them…who treated this place sacredly.
For more information, or to make a reservation, phone them at:
Here’s a little photo tour and video of our adventure!
Pah Tempe Hot Springs, also known as La Verkin or Dixie Hot Springs, are located along the Virgin River near where the river cuts through Timpoweap Canyon along the Hurricane Cliffs between the towns of Hurricane and La Verkin.
The springs issue at about 42°C (108°F) from multiple vents in fractured limestone. Widespread basalt flows ranging in age from 2 million years to 1,000 years old lie in the vicinity of the springs, possibly relating to local heat sources for the thermal water. (source)
Truly can’t describe how good I felt..after sitting in these waters for a few hours…BEYOND AMAZING! Very grounded and re-connected….check for springs near you by going to:
