The Trip & Return Trip for Errands.
“The further one goes, the less (he realizes he) one knows.” — Lao-Tzu
We headed to Hurricane to do some laundry (their laundromat is SO much nicer than Kanabs) and do some shopping. Our route took us through Zion on the way over. The picture above is a rock formation not too far outside of Kanab that is a landmark for me. On our way out it means we are on our way and on a return trip it means that we are soon to be back. I love its' coloring and imposing smoothness.
No matter how many times we go through Zion it always leaves me breathless.
Each time we go through the mile long tunnel I play a game with myself to see if I can get a picture as we whiz by the few openings in the tunnel wall. I change the setting on my camera each time and finally found one that is speedy enough to snap the picture. Now that I know the setting my goal is to get a better picture each time. But I am happy that I have actually gotten one.
There is more traffic in the Park now. Reminds me of a painting by Dileen Marsh. "Watching the Crowds at Zion Park".
She is a painter that I like. She seems to have a great sense of humor. Much of her work is of the Southern Utah area.
Do you think the cactus, trees and rocks watch the visitors?
We spent a few hours doing our errands and having lunch and then headed back to Kanab via State Route 389 that goes across "The Arizona Strip". This takes us through Colorado City just across the Utah border. It is the town that Warren Jeffs has ruled as leader of a polygamous sect. Even though he is in prison apparently he still has command over his followers. The highway goes past the town but to see the houses you have to turn off and drive through. When Kevin was here we had driven through but I did not take any pictures and so I asked that Walt drive through again so I could take a few pictures.
This is apparently a church or meeting house that was never completed.
There are many houses that are not completed. There is much discussion as to why the construction stopped. Many say it is to avoid taxes because if it is not completed it is not taxed, others say it is because Warren Jeffs has commanded them to stop.
Currently I am sure that the reason nothing is being done is because the State of Arizona seized the holdings of the sect (all the property was owned by the United Effort Plan which was a subsidiary of the church ruled by Jeffs) and the members were to pay only $100 a month to remain in the homes but most have not done so so now are facing eviction.
Almost all of the properties, whether in good repair or not, are surrounded by high walls. And no matter what time of day you go through you never see anyone outside. They have gardens and animals that need to be taken care of so I am curious how they do this. On this trip there was one man on a street and he watched us as we drove but did give a small wave. I wish I would have been brave enough to take his picture. He was like a step back in time.
The children are home schooled and most don't get much more than a 5th grade education. The girls are raised only to be one of multiple wives and the boys are often exiled (parents ordered to drop them off in the desert or Las Vegas) with nowhere to go when there are too many males in the sect. When I think about the whole situation I go between being so terribly sad for those children to so angry my blood pressure rises.
Just a mile or so further on SR389 and on the other side of the road is a very affulent looking area that I had always assumed was where Warren Jeffs and his high ranking church leaders lived. But, after doing some research this is the community called Centennial Park and is a polygamous group that broke off from the Colorado City group in 1984. This is the group that has been featured on many television programs. They commute to white-collar jobs, value education and technology and do not allow marriages of anyone under 18. They dress in modern attire yet modestly.
As in the Warren Jeffs homes these homes are also surrounded by walls.
Some walls are a bit more stylish than others.
And here too it seems most of the properties are in a state of non-completion. We did see several children playing and they seemed happy and carefree. While I personally cannot understand why any woman would want to live in a polygamus situation at least these women seem to do it more by choice than the fear and oppression of the Warren Jeffs led group.
My curiousity each time we have driven past the area finally led me to do quite a bit of reading about the groups and has left me unable to understand how people can make decisions or act in such illogical ways. But, then they probably feel that my way of life is not sensible or logical either.
"As all human beings are, in my view, creatures of God's design, we must respect all other human beings. That does not mean I have to agree with their choices or agree with their opinions, but indeed I respect them as human beings."
I really need to tape that to my bathroom mirror so that I see it every day and try and be more tolerant.