Episode 04: Drive to Utah
On our drive to Utah, I made a number of pit stops to break-up the journey, stretch my legs and enjoy the scenery. In hopes of finding a good cup of coffee before Ghost Ranch, I was surprised to find a hidden gem at the Abiquiu Inn. It has a large grove of Cottonwood trees with a soft layer of white “cotton” strewn across the ground and art sculptures surrounding the property. I had not intended to film here, but couldn’t resist the temptation!
Ghost Ranch was on my list of stops and I’m glad I took the extra time to visit. The landscape, made popular by Georgia O’Keefe, is a beautiful manifestation of New Mexico’s countryside; majestic mesa striped with color and grand vistas. The scenery was more typical of New Mexico than Valles Caldera, but unique in its white, orange and red colors that popped among a beautiful topography. I would not object to staying for a week to meditate and teach a tai chi and qigong retreat…
I had grand plans for Shiprock, but alas! it was not meant to be. We could not get close enough to film and the intense desert wind had kicked up dust that would not make a pleasant practice. Still bummed that I missed a majestic backdrop, one of my children chimed the familiar bathroom requirements as we passed into Arizona and, as usual, there was no time to wait! We started looking for an easy pull-off and as we came around a bend I found a wide entrance to a dirt road. As I turned in, I was surprised to find a “mini-Shiprock”! It was the perfect substitution and the weather was great! After my filming, we decided to have a picnic right there and enjoy the scenery off highway 160. What luck!
Pit-stop at Abiquiu among the Cottonwood trees.
Great for tendons & ligaments, lower back and waist.
Qi Gong at Ghost Ranch
Gathering Qi, Lotus Blossom, Block and Punch, Extend Arms to Circle Wrists and Lifting Hands
Loosen the lower back, regulate the central nervous system and increase jing
Gathering Qi, Look At the Setting Sun, Slice Heaven, Turn Body and Push Palm, Closing
