Killer Whale Petroglyph

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March, 2010
Tucson, Arizona

My last blog post was in August, 2009, from Mobridge, South Dakota.  After a restful summer in that area, we headed for Omaha, Nebraska to spend time with daughter Pamela and her family. We parked our RV at Two Rivers State Park west of Omaha.  (An earlier post, with photos, describes this lovely area.)  Pam and Richard recently purchased a new home on the west side of Omaha, so time was divided between their lovely new place and our camping site in the park.

We returned to Benson in September.  For some time we have been considering a move to Tucson…to be closer to medical specialists, better shopping, and to have more space, (since we have lived in an RV almost full time for over 30 years!)  We ended up purchasing an “almost new” home in a lovely retirement age mobile home park just southeast of the Tucson city limits.

Shopping for furniture and moving our personal possessions has kept us busy!  It’s been fun filling the new bookshelves with our treasured books, hanging favorite photos and art work on the walls, etc.  And. finally, we had an opportunity to have a rubbing I made of a petroglyph of a killer whale framed, and it is now hanging over the couch in our new living room.  We consider it one of our greatest treasures!

We discovered this petroglyph while living in the Pacific Northwest, on one of our boating excursions in Canadian waters.  It is located on the rocky shoreline of Degnan Bay a short distance from the Government Wharf on Gabriola Island. This petroglyph of a killer whale can only be seen at low tide.  Deeply etched into the rock, it is very well preserved.  The rubbing was done on unbleached muslin, using a black crayon.

I have always had a deep interest in all historic sites.  Having a Master’s Degree in Art has helped me to respect these sites even more.  So, while doing this rubbing, extreme care was given not to disturb the quality of the petroglyph itself.  This is the only rubbing I have done.  Other petroglyphs elsewhere and on Gabriola Island were only photographed….without touching the rocks themselves or disturbing the surrounding area.  Hopefully, others will recognize the value of these ancient treasure sites, and will help to preserve them for all to study and enjoy.

An earlier post to my Blog describes this site, and another well known petroglyph site on Gabriola Island.  You will find the complete story of our adventures on Gabriola Island and how we found these petroglyphs, with more photos, in the 5th and final book of the MAVERICK SERIES, “The Strait Years”.  In an earlier book, “Southwest Adventures”, I have shared other petroglyphs and ancient Indian sites with stories and photos throughout the southwestern states.

Meanwhile, while the rest of the country suffers from extreme cold weather and heavy snowfalls, we are enjoying a mild winter in Tucson.  Today it was 73 degrees, and night time temperatures average in the 40’s.   There have been no trips this winter.  Moving has taken up all our time!

(Click pictures to enlarge and links to view)

e-mail:  Elaine@elaineseavey.com                      Web site:   www.elaineseavey.com

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