Denio Nev. Basque festival

Morning Sunrise 

I took a trip to Denio, Nev. with a friend, to a Basque festival and fund raiser at the community center there. It was a chance to get out for a bit as well as to see some interesting country again.

Of course the eye candy was the animals found on the way as well as the scenery.

This one was sleeping by the side of the road.

Yawning at the interruption, I could tell right away that he was impressed.
He would probably measure about 13 inches, which seem to be what just about
any Antelope Buck sports for ornaments.

 An Eagles nest in the canyon at Trout Creek. How ever 

this appears to be a Red Tail rather than the original owner.

After the dinner, which consisted of tradition Basque food -  Lamb Stew, Choriso, (Spicy sausage) to Pinto Beans, that still had the "crackers" in them. ( much to my discomfort later in the evening. ) The dances began.  I was captivated by this little girl that was right out there with the rest of the ladies. Its nice to see tradition passed on to the younger generation. 

While my date was captivated by this little rapscallion, with a hat that was way too big for him. He was all over the place, having great fun. While the hat was big it seemed a part of him and could sure provide him with plenty of shade. No danger of skin cancer, not sure how he would fair in a normal desert wind.

I was surprised and pleased at the community spirit and friendliness of all the people there. They had an auction that consisted of every thing from Loaves of bread, One of which went for $600.00 to toys for kids. They made sure that every kid in the room of about 200 people got a gift. I am not sure how much money they raised, but it was substantial. In the picture above you can see the edge of one of the loaves of bread. They appeared to have been baked in a dutch oven and somewhere in the 5 pound range.

It was a fun day and even a curmudgeon like me had a great time. I am constantly amazed at the people that inhabit this world of sand and Sage and how centered they are to the things that actually count in life. While enjoying a Milk Shake at Fields, we talked to a student surveying Short Eared Owls in that area. At the dinner, a rancher that owned enough land to be mind boggling, as well as a young girl of about 12 with a Duck. The people of the Denio area seemed to welcome every one, no matter where they came from, or who they were. What a great day!