The rocks talked to me

Besides seeing things in nature that look like the alphabet, I also noticed that the time-worn rocks throughout our recent travels looked like various faces...with some stories to tell.

(Taken at Dinosaur National Monument)
See the double-sided Indian chiefs in this rock?


"Oy, this black manganese oxide doesn't do a THING for my nose and complexion. I might also add that my headdress is feeling quite heavy these last 10,000 or so years, and it's now making my eyebrows droop."

* * * * * * *

"Well, don't worry about it. I can't see a thing. For one, I've never been able to see you since we share the backs of our heads. Secondly, erosion has not yet made my eyes. Maybe in a few thousand years I'll get some and finally be able to see something. It sure is HOT around here."

* * * * * * *

"Yo, I grew up with Rocky Balboa. We were sparring partners...until my nose had been broken so many times and got so big I couldn't see him hitting me anymore."

"I'm going to have to reinvent myself."

"Hey, is this a microphone in front of me? I can do a pretty mean Elvis impersonation. Ahem." *tap, tap*

"Love me tender..."

* * * * * * *
"Yeah, well...you carry on with Elvis, but I'd rather get out of the comic strip business."

"Enough, people--okay?! I'm getting tired of you all making fun of my long, exaggerated nose and my huge underbite. Nobody gives me any credit for my true intellect around here. I like to think of myself as more of an Alfred Hitchcock kind of guy."

* * * * * * *
"As an aging gorilla I kind of like the view and slow pace, so I think I'll sit right here and stay a while."

* * * * * * *
"Well, aren't you fortunate. I'm also an aging gorilla. Look, I don't even have the back of my head anymore. Erosion left me with a hole for my cheek, and it looks like I need dentures. All I have to look forward to is one day falling flat on my face. Hmph!"

* * * * * * *
"La, lalalala, la, la, laaaa! I love being a choir lady in pioneer times...because I don't like to go anywhere without my bonnet.

"I could sing for the next million years!"


"If you look closely enough you might also see my Roman-nosed, bearded giant husband singing behind me. At least Mother Nature gave him an eye."

* * * * * * *
"Someone said there was a beautiful moon tonight. I just can't seem to find it anywhere. I love me a near-full moon."

"Oh, ha ha. Seems the joke is on me...as always. Would you come back this way, Mr. Moon, so I can see you just once? Anyone have a periscope I could use?"

* * * * * * *
"I am Queen Esther. Call me courageous if you want, but I've just gotta vent a little. It seems as though Mother Nature has played a bit of a trick on me. My arms fell off before erosion gave me eyes. Now I'm stuck here sitting atop my horse that took a 2,400-year break to graze. What a fine mess I'm in. I do kind of like my scapular profile though."

* * * * * * *
I cheated on this one--it's a photo of a photo (only one, promise)--a mudpot at Yellowstone.

Anyone see Teddy Roosevelt in this photo?

Photo taken at Mammoth Hot Springs.
The eyes with glasses, nose, & mustache?

Ironically, this was taken after we had seen him on Mt. Rushmore and after we had just passed under his quote on Yellowstone's north entrance archway. I'm sure he's smiling at this one--didn't even have to hire a sculptor for it!

So, how does nature speak to you?