Thursday, June 22, 2017

Samuelson's Rocks Part 2

Just to recap, Johann Samuelson was a Swedish prospector who was one of the most colorful and/or crazy (I suspect a bit of each) characters in the early days of what is now Joshua Tree National Park. His tall tales included being shipwrecked in Africa, taken as captive deep into the jungles by natives, surviving man-eating ants, winning the affections of a beautiful tribal princess, and discovering a huge stash of gold. You can read more at Samuelson's Rocks Part 1, or just Google "Samuelson's Rocks". It's a fascinating story!!

During his free time, Samuelson carved philosophical thoughts onto rock faces, which survive to this day. Today's post will complete the hike to Samuelson's Rocks (no trail and not easy to find). It's been a great hike so far. Highlights of last weeks "Part 1" post include an old rusty car and a collapsed desert homestead cabin complete with basement!

In the photo above, we are approaching what I will call "Samuelson's Hill" (arrow). There are reportedly 8 carved stone faces at various locations around the hill. Also worth noting, according to www.dzrtgrls.com, Samuelson had a homestead cabin "on top of the hill where the rocks are". That's why I mentioned in my Part 1 post that I didn't think the collapsed cabin I found belonged to Samuelson.

I found this old photo of Samuelson's cabin on Elliot Koeppel's site here. Check out the notch in the hill (arrow) behind the cabin. It looks suspiciously similar to the notch on the hill in the second photo (photo credit www.dzrtgrls.com), which reinforces the claim that Samuelson's cabin was on the same hill where his rock carvings reside. Unfortunately, there is nothing left of Samuelson's cabin.

As I hiked up the side of Samuelson's Hill, I was delighted to find a rock carving after just a few minutes of looking. It's a bit of a strange feeling to find something like this out in the middle of nowhere. I was surprised that the carvings appeared so crisp and well preserved. It would have taken significant skill to carve these letters straight and precise into a rock face. Here's what it says (spelling corrected):

WAKE UP
YOU TAX AND
BOND SLAVES.
A POLITICIAN IS A BIRD
THAT GETS IN ON THE TAX
PAYORS (PAYER'S) POCKETBOOK FOR A FAT
RAKE OF (OFF) AND HIS FREE KEEPS.
HE LEADS YOU BY THE NOOSE (NOSE)
WITH ONE HAND(.) WITH THE OTHER
HE DIGS IN YOUR POCKET.
A FRIEND OF THE BANKER AND BIG
BUSINESS(.) WHY?

 ARE YOU THE FELLOW
MR. MELLON
THAT GRABED (GRABBED) ALL OUR DOUGH(?)
AIN(')T YOU BETTER UP AND
TELL US
WHERE IN HELL DID IT GO.(?)

 GOD
MADE MAN
BUT HE(N)RY FORD
PUT WHEELS UNDER EM (HIM)
THO (THOUGH) A. MASTER
OF THE GOLD'N (GOLDEN) RULE
HE MUST DIE
TO. BE. APPRICIATED (APPRECIATED)

 JUDGE ben LINDSEY
A. MAN THAT
UNDERSTANDS HUMANETY (HUMANITY)
AND BIG ANOUGH. (ENOUGH)
TO. LIVE. IT.
STUDY NATURE(.) OBEY THE LAWS
OF IT(.) YOU CAN(')T GO WRONG(.)
IT PAYES (PAYS) COMPOUND ENTEREST (INTEREST)
FOR LIFE AND NOT ONE PENNY
ENVESTED (INVESTED).?

 I came upon this old bed frame on top of the hill, and can only imagine this came from Samuelson's cabin. How else would it get out here in the middle of nowhere?? Could this be the very bed that Samuelson slept on and rested on after laboring away on his rock carvings??
The urge was too great... I couldn't resist. I'm not a fan of selfies, but here was an opportunity to lay on what was likely Samuelson's own bed and take a photo!

As you can see, the sun is getting low on the horizon. As nice as it would have been to take a little siesta on Samuelson's bed, no time to take a nap now!! Let's continue our hike.

I found a number of these smooth-faced rocks in the area. If Samuelson were alive today and had the urge to add to his collection, he would have no problem!

 Mmmm... looks like I'm going to have to do some climbing to get close to this one! Note the moonrise.

  
RELIGION IS A CODE OF
MORALLS (MORALS) FOR US TO LIVE BY(.)
NO MORE HELL IS HERE ON THIS
EARTH(.) NO OTHER PLASE (PLACE)(.)
MOAST (MOST) OF IT WE MAKE OUR SELFE (OURSELF)(.)
AS TO HAVEN (HEAVEN) FIND IT IN
A LIFETIME(.) NOTHING
PROVEN AFTER DEATH BY PREAST (PRIEST)
OR SCIENTIST?

On the west side of Samuelson's Hill I was surprised to find two corral areas. There are numerous mentions on websites that Samuelson was not only a prospector but also a sheep rancher, so that would explain these corrals!


Color splash!

I spotted this old water tank a few hundred yards from the corrals. It's sitting in a wash, which is a weird place to put a water tank. I'm guessing its original location was somewhere else.

Heading back toward Samuelson's Hill from the water tank, I spotted my last carved panel. Ironically, it's the only panel signed and dated by the author.

THE ROCK.
OF FAIHT (FAITH).
AND TRUHT (TRUTH).
NATURE. IS. GOD.
THE. KEY. TO. LIFE.
IS. CONTACT.
EVOLUTION. IS. THE MOTHER
AND FATHER OF MANKIND
WITHOUT THEM. WE. BE. NOTHING

John. Samuelson
1927.
Interestingly, someone has built a little bench in front of this panel, complete with some local artifacts. I sat for a few minutes, contemplating Johann Samuelson, his carved panels, and the interesting life he had. Not a sound could be heard except for the occasional chirp of a bird. I didn't see a single person hiking this area the entire afternoon. Solitude is a wonderful thing!
In all, I think I found six of the eight panels. By the time I found my sixth panel, the sun was setting. Not wanting to hike across open desert with no trail to follow in the dark, it was past time to head back. I'll definitely be coming back to find the last two panels sometime in the future.
For a nice overview of Samuelson's Rocks, and an interpretation of his writings, click here: http://stowell.org.

Thanks for coming along with me on the hike to Samuelson's Rocks, and I hope you find them as fascinating as I do!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.
Click on the link to check out great skies from around the world!

43 comments:

  1. Samuelson must have been under the sun far too long :). Just kidding.

    Worth a Thousand Words

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  2. I am impressed by these carvings and nice to see you!!!

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  3. I especially like that last shot.

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  4. I wonder what the old boy would say about He Who Must Not Be Named... Anyway, a fabulous post. Things tend to disappear trees, leaves, ferns, and mud here. Gotta love the desert!

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  5. These little snippets of history are intriguing. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Flat amazing post. And mysteries within mysteries, could that be his bed? The water tank, whazzup with that. And that corral looked well constructed. And those rocks. Lots of work to chisel his thoughts in there. I am glad they are so well preserved and little visited except by people who appreciate them.

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  7. Very Cool and timely! You look great BTW

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  8. Obviously the bed frame was comfortable enough for a quick selfie!

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  9. Amazing. Awesome pics. Thanks for all info's.

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  10. Fascinating - it is like reading someone's books!

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  11. So interesting - wow! I can imagine someone might go a little mad in such total isolation, though. Amazing how many artifacts remain, right down to the bed! The rock carvings are wonderful.

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  12. What a fascinating hike - and great shots!

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  13. Thank you for sharing these experiences! For me, living in the rainy Bergen city in Norway, it's very exotic!

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  14. Fascinating that you have in such a climate free time enough to spend on the difficult task to chisel your thoughts on stone and what thoughts. That was a real character in his time.

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  15. What a fascinating story, the kind of stuff I'm always on the lookout for. Interesting that Samuelson made so many basic spelling mistakes but could manage such complicated words as "SCIENTIST", "POLITICIAN" and "EVOLUTION" with no problem. Quite possibly by posting this information you have doubled the number of people on earth who are familiar with the thoughts of Mr Samuelson.

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  16. Great post filled with lots of local lore and great images.

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  17. Hello, very interesting post on Mr. Samuelson. The carvings are impressive. It is nice to see you on the selfie. The last sunset shot is beautiful. Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!

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  18. What an exciting adventure, lovely landscape and photos. Thanks for sharing, greetings!

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  19. Living history! What a wonderful trip, I really enjoyed it.

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  20. Fascinating post and awesome photography ~ love deep blue sky and those carved rocks are amazing ~ lovely country ~ ^_^

    Thanks, for visiting my blog and commenting ~ ^_^

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  21. What an amazing place - the desert is so photogenic.

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  22. Thanks for visiting.

    Your photos are fabulous! Never imagined there's be so much to see.

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  23. What a fabulous hike and such wonderful finds. Those chiseled words are something special to see. Love that old rusty bed, nice selfie too. Wonderful photos as always. Have a great weekend.

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  24. Thanks for sharing your great adventures with us. Truly enjoyed it and history behind it. Thanks for taking the time to visit my place as well.

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  25. Wonderful post.. really fascinating. Glad you found 6 of the 8. The desert preserves history well. Used to love coming across pieces of the past, in the deserts of Arizona.
    Thanks for sharing your incredible hike with us!

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  26. Wow, that's amazing these carving quotes in the stones and your selfie is quite great !
    Best, Synnöve

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  27. It was fascinating. Left me in wonder. Thank you for taking us on your hike!

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  28. Hi! Nice adventure for you. I like solitude too.

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  29. These days, I suppose he'd be blogging or tweeting his feelings. What a rewarding hike full of discoveries.

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  30. Great find. Those are interesting carvings. Love the last shot. Have a great weekend!

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  31. Swedish? Maybe he wanted to compete with the vikings? His words can br understood, the runes are hard. Nut of course the ruens are much older. :)

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  32. Fascinating stuff! I love a good desert story!

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  33. Great follow up on the last post. What an interesting (and maybe angry) person he was. Another extreme personality that seem to be drawn to the desert. Love your photos!

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  34. Lovely rocks with texts. The landscape looks lovely.

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  35. What a character and I'd love to see someone dragging a bed frame to the middle of nowhere. Lot's of great photos, I can't imagine what it took to do those carvings, also pretty funny. What a wonderful place to contemplate this guy and life in general.

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  36. Brilliant, your no different to me in that you have to find all the rock carvings. Look forward to your next trip there

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  37. Wow, such an interesting place to hike to! It must have been exciting to walk there among old letters and things. Such a fascinating story! And a beautiful place and pics!

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  38. What a philosopher! He certainly left his mark! Great post and selfie!

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  39. What a cool post. I do like coming to your blog and do so more often than I comment. Please continue. I love the desert and get out to Palm Springs as much as we are able to.

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  40. The corel areas are really interesting ...

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  41. The corel areas are really interesting ...

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