This Blog is dedicated to my Loyal Friends. This Blog for Clark and Teri Taylor.
Long…long ago, when I was still unlicensed to drive, yet was full of blind optimism, I was working for Clark for a local publishing company. Clark was my Manager. My family and I immediately became very fond of him and his lovely wife, Teri as they were and still are compassionate, generous and kind. He guided and taught me not just the efficient ways of business execution but the street smarts of the new life of the United States.
I braved the challenges for years then one momentous day, a special moment arrived. Just like noblest Clark, I became a Manager. I had my own district, my own carriers, my own decisions. I remember this time was the best of my formative time that was full of challenges as I was also attending College.
Clark mentored me with goal and razor-sharp focus to be an effective Area Supervisor. He taught me well. Clark and Teri became close friends of the family and we took turn hosting diners. Clark had a sister, Sandra, who was a renown author and considered as one of the world authorities in Southeast Asian Politics. Sandra had successfully published numerous books that are still in circulation to date.
After sometimes of juggling full-time work schedule and being a full-time student, I knew that my study was being compromised, hence, I decided to resign from work so that I can dedicate my complete focus on my study. Here is where life channeled me in the direction that I hear less and less from my friend, Clark.
Years had come and went, I often wonder what happened to my friends, Clark and Teri. I could no longer reach them phone. One day, I decided to drive to his home where I remembered it. No one answered my knocking, I wrote a note and left at the mailbox. No answer…
A year later, I came over again and wrote another note. Again, no answer. I knew for sure then, Clark and Teri had moved.
Then, as the internet had come of age, I decided to look for them with the help of the Internet! It took me a day to track my friends down and I found them almost half way across America in a small but high-plateau, very high plateau town called Teasdale in UTAH!
I was so elated and the discovery even came with their phone number! I called immediately. I heard Teri’s lovely voice from the answering machine. I left an excited message for them! Soon, I received a call from Utah area code and I immediately pounced on the answer button. Clark and I talked and talked … and talked some more, catching up about the good old days as well as updating each other about the triumphs and tribulations of our lives.
Clark and Teri offered an open invitation to come out to Teasdale, Utah to visit them. From this inviting moment, I was restless as I could not contain my excitement to visit my friends again.
Thursday, 8/18/2019, my friends, drove almost 700 miles round-trip crossed the Stateline border of Utah and Arizona, in the baking 109 F degree heat of Las Vegas and waited for their long lost friend in the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport.
Clark and Terri drove almost 400 miles from Utah in 109 F degree heat to pick me up from Las Vegas McCarran International Airport.
I offered to drive but Clark was so committed to get me to Teasdale that he insisted to drive and into the desolate scorching Nevada desert he drove.
The scorching Nevada Desert
We are crossing the Arizona border.
Clark “Daravuth! I want you to see the Depth of this Canyon!”
We are racing against the Sun to capture all the beauties and Cruelties of this desolate Desert.
Millions of years she stands and beautiful as ever.
We have lost the battle against the Sun.
After more than two hours of driving, we stopped for Dinner. What a gratifying meal it was, after all these years, together, we eat at the same table again.
What a welcoming sign. It is full moon. All around I can hear the sounds of crickets and other indecipherable creatures. The howling wind replacing the blowing dryer of Las Vegas.
Shortly before 1AM, we have arrived. Poor Teri and Clark are exhausted. It is 71 F degree because we are 7200 feet closer to Heaven. Just wait what the light brings tomorrow in this God’s Country.
DAY 1 – Day of 24 years
As the sun rises, the sun light unfolds the spectacular scenery that are nothing less than the fingerprints of God.
Teri and Clark’s Adobe House.
Teri enjoys her favorite pass time, relaxation and retirement. Oh look, the chiseled red rock Canyon only a mile away!
Elegant and Simple Interior. The shotgun is well past 100 years old
View across the road from the house.
View from front left of the house.
View from back of the house.
Breathtaking scenery such as this is quite common. Alfalfa field amongst the towering rocks.
Clark was my Mentor when I worked as the Area Supervisor for a local publisher. Now, once a week on Saturdays, Clark delivers a few newspapers to Teasdale’s Hotel, gas stations, shops. The Times – Independent was opened by Clark’s uncle approximately 125 years ago and still owned by the Taylor Family in Moab.
I never get tired from climbing and discovering these rocks.
The image is not Photoshop. These cows are aptly called Oreo Cows.
Teri and Clark treated me and other special guests to a sumptuous feast, Pull Pork Extravaganza.
I can’t be sure whether I have French blood in me but I sure love the Crema cream with the Pull Pork Salad Rolls. Si Bon!
I did have the third Pull Pork Wrap. 1000 Thanks Teri. Clark.
What a fine ending of the first day in Teasdale. I am enamored by the beautiful and breathtaking country. Above all, Teri, Clark and I shared and swapped stories that we failed to share for the past 24 years. Already, I felt bonded to my friends and at the same time, I developed a fear, a fear of separation that I must bid in a few short days.
Everything must end, Daravuth.
DAY 2 – Teasdale’s Charm
Second morning, Teri and Clark treated me to a healthy helping of organic bacon that came from organically raised pigs. Look at the bacon, they are so LEAN and perfectly seasoned and smoked. the eggs also came from Organically raised chickens.
Before we head out to another scenic tour, I showed Teri how to make homemade egg noodles. After we made it, we let it rest for several hours in the refrigerator to cure.
I am showing Teri how to make homemade egg noodles which we will have for lunch.
The beautiful two-some standing in front of the Red Rocks and wild flowers. This view is approximately 20 minutes away their elegant adobe home.
The haze still fails to hide the majestic canyons below.
Clark is currently working part time at the Teasdale Visitor Center. He is constantly being his helpful self and always generous with his time.
During our scenic tour, we met a French family. Clark immediately sprang into action. He enthusiastically guided the family to the best places to visit and the route to get there. Clark listens, recommends, warns. He cares. He most certainly shows off his beloved nature with pride.
We are higher in elevation than most single propeller airplanes in flight. Altitude of 9600 feet is not low by any means.
Teri and Clark really surprised me to grand treat! the incomparable Highway 12. I can never get enough, never get used to it. Even as I stand before it, I find it difficult to believe it.
Highway 12 Grand Staircase.
There is a creek below. Along the Creek which can crisscross for miles. It offers a great hiking adventure.
Just simply driving along Highway 12, this is the breathtaking scene welcoming the travelers.
Oui! C’est Magnifique! This is what it is like to drive the majestic Highway 12.
Below these magnificent red rocks, there are trails which can bring joyful adventures as well as untold dangers. One can easily get lost and succumb to the harsh element. Injuries occur often and the victims had to be airlifted out – if they can be found.
As far as the eyes can see, Highway 12 is truly a feast for the eyes.
Millions of years of stratified composition bare before us.
Somewhere in this rugged splendor, Everett Ruess disappeared and presumably died. If you have not heard of him, I highly recommend for you to research further to know more about this romantic poet who fell in love with this splendid country and disappeared in it at the tender age of 20.
Find me…if you can.
The resilient green vegetation manages to thrive in this arid environment. It is absolutely stunning to see the trees grow between the crevices of the millennium rocks.
It is getting quite warm and we are hungry. There has to be a way for me to express my gratitude to my friends in a very appreciative and substantial way. I’ll prepare lunch, Noodles Chow Mein from the egg noodles I showed Teri in the morning.
Rolling out dough to make egg noodles Chow Mein.
Cut, separated and prepared to boil.
Almost…
Now, Lunch is Served. Enjoy my friends. Well deserved and thank you for the Grand Highway 12 Personal Tour!
Farmer’s Market where vendor is making and baking their goods. It is small and quaint.
Moony Wash Boys Band at the Farmer’s Market. Hey..! there are ladies in the band and unless they had sex changed, the ACLU better not hear about this, :). You all played beautifully. The tunes were very melodious! By the way, the man at the center who plays beautiful fiddle, was a Green Beret and jumped out of air plane in Thailand during Vietnam War. Bob, please accept my heartfelt thanks for the Service!
Wouldn’t you love to have a house like this? Make sure you have a flock of pure bred Buffaloes roaming about your property.
Another blessed house with the back view of the Red Rocks.
DAY 3 – Last Bitter Sweet Day
My last day with Teri and Clark in Teasdale. Sadness and disappointment begin to set in. But I reminded myself to enjoy and celebrate the memories. Ok, let’s celebrate!
What Friends are for…
We visited one of Teri and Clark’s noblest friends, Owen and Jan.
Owen and Jan are so gracious to have us over and share this magnificent view from their stately home’s back patio.
Another Clark’s great Friends are Bob and Dianna. Their wonderful Ranch is a few hundred yards away from the Red Rocks.
Bob and Dianna’s self-sustaining Ranch has alfalfa to feed the livestock. It even has a Fremont River that runs through in the back. The River provides sumptuous trouts.
There are variety of farm animals that provide foodstuffs such as milk for cheese, eggs, meat.
A very self-sufficient farm. To the left, there is a creek that has trouts running.
We are leaving Dianna and Bob’s Farm “Until next time and hopefully, …soon. Thanks for the fine tour, and above all, the Service, Bob” These boulders are from the Red Rocks. During thunderstorm, as they are detached from the gorges, they can be extremely dangerous as they roll down the mountain.
I wanted to show my appreciation as well as addressing our growling hunger, I and Teri made home made pull noodles soup. It was so good!
Since it was my last day, Teri and Clark wanted me to see more Nature’s Beauties before I leave. We are off the the State Park. I thought I saw the best of God’s Thumbprint. I soon discovered I was wrong,…very wrong.
In the depth of the canyon, ancient Petroglyphs can be found. Petroglyphs are rock images carved in stones. They are thousands of years old.
These Red Rock Canyons are stunningly beautiful, harsh, arid and there are plants and even Bob Cats, Coyotes, and other wild life thriving within the Canyons.
The torrential rain and flash flood carve the base and create veins of streams. Hiking along the streams is a gratifying experience but, during raining season, would prove to be hazardous as well due to flash flood.
Very deep…I can spend days, weeks, even months discovering the secrets hidden in these mysterious Canyons.
Teri and Clark live only several minutes away from these God Blessed Canyons.
What a stunning contrast.
This tree has lots of stories to tell. It is easily over one hundred years old. Its roots are tired, buried deep inside the crevices of the rocks, determined to survive.
Thousands of years of erosion can be seen along the bases of the Red Rocks. Still, they will rise higher and higher as the geological force presses them upward toward the sky.
That is Clark’s trusty Subaru below. And just about 360 degree view in Teasdale offers any lucky human being this spectacular view.
Where?…Where would we go to appreciate such Geological Wonder such as this?
Imagine millions and millions of years represented by the Red Rocks layers.
Eroding away, yet defiant.
Freestyle Rock Climbing anyone?
Romeo and Juliet
This is the Joy Highway 12 offers. One can see the road on the left. To the right, behold the lofty and towering view of the Red Rocks. Come to think of it, 360 view offers the Majestic View.
This is not Photoshop. It’s Teasdale.
There is hope. In this arid world, green living plants survive and thrive.
All I wish is having a simple quaint house near the mountain like this and perhaps a small stream nearby with swimming trouts won’t hurt.
The Beauties never end.
I am looking at the Wonder that took million of years to form.
If only these Rocks can talk. What secret will they whisper?
Day 4 – I shall return
It was a restless night for me. When the sun rises, I must bid Adieu to Teri and Clark. The will I had to go on was the strength I drawn from the belief that I shall return one day. 24 years ago I lost contact. I determined to find them only to leave them again. But this time it is different. The Fraternal Order is forever bonded, harder than the composition of the millennium Rocks.
I am so proud that I tracked you down and called you, Teri, Clark. After a light breakfast composed of fantastic cottage organic bacons and fruits, I bid my choking adieu, promising that I shall return one day.
Unlike the moment we arrived in Teasdale under the 1AM moonlight, this time, we were basked in the clear and crisp day light as Clark drove me down the hill to St. George in his trusty Subaru.
What a treat! What views!
I am going home. Thank you, Teasdale!
May you remain beautiful just as you are.
Even thousands of feet above sea level, clean water in stream like this flows endlessly downhill. Next time, I would love to fish for trout.
Where the stream is, Kit Carson, the Pioneer had stopped to camp, watered his mules, rested before he and his entourage continued on the Spanish Trail.
Clark treated me to another surprise. Clark stopped the car at the childhood home of Butch Cassidy, the Bank Robber.
Home of Butch Cassidy, the famous Outlaw Bank Robber (Front of the House)
Butch Cassidy
Inside the house of Butch Cassidy. It was locked. Hence, the photo was taken through the window.
Left side of Butch Cassidy House
Right side of Butch Cassidy House
Home of Butch Cassidy, the famous Outlaw Bank Robber (Back of the House)
Butch Cassidy’s Barn
Wanted Outlaw
Butch Cassidy is Still Alive!
Butch Cassidy was here.
This is all there is – Butch Cassidy’s Farm.
Butch Cassidy. He robbed banks and never killed anyone. Actually, to date, his burial site or body were never found.
Clark’s Rich Timeless Story
I am saving the best for last. My friend, Clark, came from a very rich historical background. It was long ago, his Great Great Grandfather, Norman Taylor, helped discovered and pioneered Utah. Hence, Clark is a Progeny of a special blood line. During the pioneering days of Utah, there was no doubt, as detailed in the book below, that Mr. Norman Taylor was one of the first pioneers who tamed the wilderness of Utah.
Mr. Norman Taylor was Clark’s Great Great Grandfather who was part of the original wagons that pioneered and founded Utah.
Mr. Arthur Taylor is Clark’s Great Grandfather. This original news article tells a tale of hardship and resilience of the Taylor family. The Taylors of Moab is a family only preceded by hospitality and commitment to Public Services.
Uncle Claude’s Ranch, Clark, Sandra (Clark’s Sister) and Father.
Clark, Sandra, Mom and Dad.
Clark’s Parents, Carol and Pete.
Clark’s Parents, Carol and Pete, on their Wedding Day.
GO TAYLORS!!
The beautiful two-some standing in front of the Red Rocks and wild flowers. This view is approximately 20 minutes away their elegant adobe home.
I am especially proud to be your friends, Clark, Teri. I will never forget nor will I forgive myself for not keeping in touch all these 23 years. These has been the most gratifying, fulfilling, poignant three days of my life and you both made them so. Please know that the bond of Fraternal Order is forged and I am only a plane flight and a bus ride away.
Thank you, My Friends! Blessed by Thee.
Amicitias Immortales Esse Opportet – Friendship Should Be Immortal.
Thanks from deep in our hearts! We will forevermore remain close in touch and in person. 24 years was too long without contact, but that has been fixed and shall remain open through the years! You captured our area of the world, for all to enjoy. Bless you Daravuth!
…and Bless you and Yours! I am still thinking about those fleeting wonderful moments that I was there with you and among the fine upstanding friends of ours! I will never forget the experience. You and Teri made it all possible. Next time, perhaps hiking and fishing for trouts? 🙂 Thanks and Blessed Be Thee.
Very beautiful, anh! I’m glad you had a great time!
đi bộ đường dài hoặc hiking ở đó rất đẹp, em ơi. (translation) Walking or Hiking there is very beautiful, Duchess! 🙂
Daravuth! What an awesome story and pictures. So glad you got to go visit the Taylors. Beautifully done!
1000 Thanks, Mike! believe you me, the Honor and Pleasure were all mine! and thanks for everything!
Great account of your trip and travels, Daravuth! Such grand and majestic views of the area. Really breathtaking! I can’t believe it is 400 miles to the nearest major airport! Such peaceful surroundings. Tempting travel destination…tempting indeed. Thanks for sharing!
Nhan, I am pleased that you enjoyed the adventure! Actually, that night when Teri and Clark picked me up from the Las Vegas McCarran Airport, they covered about 700 miles. Furthermore, when they need to go to Costco, they would drive 3 hours each way, just like you and I would drive to Fresno and back. A grand new perspective isn’t it? Go to Utah, young man!
…oh forgot to add, beautiful story of enduring friendship. Your writing style is interesting and enjoyable to read.
Thank you, Nhan. The Taylors are very special to my Family and especially to me. I am glad my sharing brings you joy. What can I say? my writing style is an acquired taste :). Thanks!
Very lovely. Such beautiful pictures and heart warming stories Davaruth.
Glad you like the pictures. I genuinely love this place. As my friend, Clark, said “Cleansing”. For the soul he meant. I could not agree more.