In the high desert of New Mexico, the voices of native tour guides harmonize with the Rio Pueblo de Taos in confluence with the crystal clear Sangre de Cristo snowmelt. Weaving tales of survival and tradition, the guides talk in hushed reference to Taos Pueblo.

Helen Norton Wallace. Franklin, NC.

January 8, 1923 — September 8, 2013

Vocalist Merry Clayton delivers hope in "Gimme Shelter" — December 5, 1969 — through a dark gospel plea wrapped with armageddon, her voice a thunder crack at 3:01, shaking the empty pews.

"I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I've never let it keep me from a single thing that I wanted to do."

Georgia O'Keeffe

I've always kept notes, bits of thought, turns of a phrase heard, borrowed, or mine that one day will manifest a country song filled with ghosts, the unsavory outskirts of town, and a train or two. This last trip to New Orleans, Louisiana, in so far as note gathering and eating, was more than rewarding.

The warnings are never enough. Haphazardly jammed into the San Jose sand, salt-encrusted signs caution in Spanish: No hay socorrista presente.

No lifeguard on duty, gringo; you're on your own.

He's a putt-putt wizard

There has got to be a twist

A putt-putt wizard's

Got such a supple wrist

“For the first time in my life, I slept out in the open air. During the night it rained a little but not enough to wet us to any extent. Got up early enough in the morning to get our breakfast, & commence photographing as soon as the sun rose.”

Thomas Moran, 1871.