November 14 – November 17, 2024

Goal 1: Relax before the busy holidays

Goal 2: Explore more of the area

Goal 3: Collect minerals for pigment for paint

Goal 4: Collect more clay (new clay)

Goal 5: HIDE POTS!

The week before, we decided to take one more trip before holidays. Therefore, it was a last minute trip. Questions was where? We were looking at two different options in two different directions. Twin Falls, Idaho or Apple Valley, Utah. Both are favorites of ours. Upon watching the weather, Twin Falls had a big storm with snow to boot, so Apple Valley it was. The temps were a little chilly this weekend. We even got snowed on for about an hour while we were hiking. One would say and we would agree, better than getting rained on!!! We enjoyed the new scenery and kinda ended up in the middle of a bunch of “HOODOO’s” (rock formations like huge goblins).

We found a huge overhang with pigment for paint that we collected. It was the perfect color and locations to collect a gallon bag for slip for our pots. We hope for it to remain yellow in firing but more likely will turn red.

After a full day of hiking we ended up collecting a couple buckets of new clay. Mind you after a full day of hiking we collected our clay in the dark. We are excited to see how it builds and what strength it has. We are equally excited to see the color that it fires.

Lastly, we hid the pots. The two pots we hid are a distance from each other and easily accessible.The GPS coordinates are within one mile of each pot, as the crow flies. Mapache’s pot can be found, by low clearance vehicle and short hike. My pot (Lolli) will have to be found either from long hike or high clearance vehicle. Best of luck and please remember to post comment and email pictures so I can add to this blog.

On our way out Mapache noticed a watermelon looking gourd on side of dirt road. As usual, we stopped and picked some. Upon further research we found they are called Buffalo Gourds. Only edible piece is the seeds. I found some very interesting articles online, if you choose to look them up.

GPS coordinates to Mapache pot: pot found

GPS coordinates to my (Lolli) pot: pot found

From Top to Bottom and Left to Right: deep mesa canyon, deep mesa canyon, me (Lolli) on edge, deep mesa canyon, deep mesa canyon and Trevor, deep mesa canyon and me (Lolli), Willy and Waylon at picnic spot, half dead and half alive manzanita bush, cave pigment, Lolli in cave with pigment, Lolli in cave with pigment, cave with mini cave (holes, even in ceiling), Trevors pot resting place, Trevors pot resting place (hidden well, colors match), Trevor with pot, Lolli and pot in hiding, Lolli’s pots resting place (very visible), and buffalo gourd.

These 2 pots were found and the pictures below are the lucky Adventure Seekers that found them and now get to keep them. Thank you guys for sharing the experience with us all.