SONGS OF THE DESERT
Nevada Belle

As I wrote this article, I was smiling.  My Gemini Moon has a tendency to scatter my 
thoughts once in a while.  I originally intended to tell you about legends of the 
Las Vegas Valley.  From what I've researched, there are quite a few.  But as time 
wore on I began to realize that some of the things that I've seen might be just as 
interesting to you as they were to me, so...I wrote about them instead.

The first time I ever experienced Las Vegas, I was 19 and a young Air Force wife far 
away from Virginia family and friends.  Upon arrival, I immediately sensed a life force
 here...but it was contradictory to my senses.  Where I come from flora and fauna abound 
in many forms, there are four seasons, the Shennandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge Mountains, 
the ocean, rivers galore- Virginia is a lovely state.  

In a place seemingly dead, you could feel a "lifeforce"...a deep steady pulse...like 
an athlete's heartbeat in peak condition.  It started in a subtle manner.  At first, 
I thought it was just the excitement of being in some place new and different.  Then 
I considered the fact that this city is known for it's glitz and glamour.  It's easy to 
get caught up in the edgy human-made excitement that comes from "Sin City"- a place of 
no limits, no boundaries, where anything goes and usually does.

Months later, the feeling that the desert was alive and...exepectant, wouldn't leave.  
This sensation wouldn't let go of me, and this was after all the newness of the Strip 
had worn off.  The only thing you see (sometimes) when you live and work here is too much 
traffic and roads under constant repair.  

I always try to take time to see the natural beauty of this place...it's incredible.  The 
desert reminds you of a plain young girl.  Only if you are deep enough and kind enough to 
truly look at her will you see the amazing beauty she will become- inside and out.  One 
day that little one grows and matures to become a stunning creature.  

That is the way the desert seems to me.  If you stop and take the time to look about 
you- the beauty of the place is haunting and never leaves you.  The last place you want 
to be is the Strip.  I don't gamble, only drink upon occassion, don't smoke, and try to 
live a relatively healthy lifestyle...so no "sin" for this woman...hahaha, well, okay 
maybe just a little...:)

One day, I was out target shooting in the desert.  I was suddenly struck dumb by the fact 
that THE ENTIRE VALLEY HAD ONCE BEEN UNDER WATER!  I was astounded.  You could feel it!  
You could sense it!  The desert floor showed memories of it.  I turned slowly around, 
carefully placing my weapon down after unloading it and just stared, everywhere, at once.  
The plants pretended to be of the earth but behind them or through them-  I "saw" forests 
of giant kelp.  I watched in quiet surrender as beds of seaweed waved lazily to me in the 
current.  I tasted the sea salt on my tongue, felt the pressure of water on my ears...deep,
strong, dangerous but promising all at the same time.  I saw schools of fish swimming in 
front of my eyes...ancient echoes of present descendants.  Shell creatures of many species 
crawled, squatted, hid, and puffed their way along the sandy bottom.  It wasn't until much 
later that I discovered the valley really had been under water.  

An interesting museum in Lorenzi Park, in a shabby little area of town, shows the entire 
history of Nevada, including ancient Nevada.  There are maps indicating exactly when the 
sea covered the area and where.  I was flabbergasted.  It confirmed what I saw, making me 
feel that I hadn't suffered from heatstroke and was hallucinating...:). 

When you visit this area, take heed.  Sense the energy here.  Feel the heartbeat underlying 
the black scars of roads, the uncontrolled, outrageous growth and the gritty desert sands.  
And remember this:  a story was once relayed to me by a blind medicine man who resides in 
Oklahoma, another good soul I have met along my life's path.  While this is not verbatim, 
he told me that the Apache believed that the Valley is alive and that the strong heartbeat 
of Mother Earth pulses under the desert floor.  The trees follow you and the rocks watch 
your every move.

I BELIEVE IT.

Nevada Belle