Bisti Badlands - Natural Bench

by Debra Martz

Title

Bisti Badlands - Natural Bench

Artist

Debra Martz

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

Bisti Badlands - Natural Bench by Debra Martz One last look back at our last wrong turn. And since it was those bench formations we didn't recognize, well, why not a reminder/memory of one of those?

I ran across the Bisti Badlands/De-Na-Zin Wilderness a few years ago while searching for new places to see in New Mexico. Finally the time came that we would make the trip there. The closest lodging and RV parks are in Farmington and we arrived just before the visitors center closed. Oddly enough they only had one printed letter size paper with some latitude/longitude directions with a few very small pictures. The lady I spoke with knew the badlands existed but having lived there 14 years had never gone to see this unearthly type of beauty.....because, she said, "there are no restrooms." What? Oh well.... I picked up the Farmington Vacation Guide and found a little more info in it. And I quote, "If you want high-priced, slickly manufactured entertainment, go to Disneyland; if you want a cinematic prism through which to have a multi-dimentional experience, consider the Badlands of the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness. That fact there are no marked trails in Bisti leads to a freeform style of wandering, where the paths you choose are entirely up to you and your instincts. These are badlands, meaning you will be exposed to the elements and there are no water sources, so it is important to prepare accordingly." And also, as the lady said, no facilities!

As for the freeform style of wandering, it is important to find the taller landforms as markers....they even disappear as you wander so make some cairns when possible. Just when you think you know where you are going, its a dead end and you turn around and select another route. It is a maze out there and I quickly discovered how someone could easily get lost...as my husband and I didn't agree on each and every turn!

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October 28th, 2017

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