https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Diamond,_Nevad
“Blue Diamond is the site of Cottonwood Spring (formerly known as Ojo de Cayetana, or Pearl Spring), a watering place and camp site on the Old Spanish Trail and the later Mormon Road between Mountain Springs and Las Vegas Springs. The springs are located on a mountainside south of the town at 36°02′44″N 115°24′22″W at an elevation of 3409 feet.[2]
The nearby gypsum mine was purchased in 1923 by the Blue Diamond Corporation of California.[3] The company opened a wallboard manufacturing plant at the site in 1941, and then began building a company town in 1942.[4][5] The village of Cottonwood became known as Blue Diamondville that year, when a post office opened under that name.[3][6] The name was changed to Blue Diamond later in the year, although some authorities continued to refer to it as Blue Diamondville until at least 1950.[6][7]“
Las Vegas is not my kind of town, frankly! But, while discovering the small town of Blue Diamond, 4 miles south of Red Rock Canyon Visitor’s Center, I felt a clean escape from the torture and stress of Vegas…
When Judy and I drove into town, we were greeted and treated to a small quiet community. Blue Diamond reminded us of Orondo in Chelan County Washington. We made our home in nearby Leavenworth for 15 years prior to moving to the Central Oregon Coast in 2005…
The population of Blue Diamond tops off at 300. It’s a tad cooler there too, maybe 10-20 degrees at 4000ft. Vegas is 1500-2000ft, and hotter than the top of a hot burning wood stove…
The village sits in a little valley just below the Red Rock Canyon. I think we could be back here again sooner than later…
There’s an old gypsum mine nearby. I imagine the town cropped up after WWI. Gypsum was in high demand following WWII. It was used to make wallboard.
I love learning something new each day. Writing and traveling go well together for getting the finest liberal arts education on the planet, indeed…
We looked around town for awhile. That was a 5 min scenic drive, slow enough to look ‘n see…
So, we then parked at the community park near the elementary school. That’s when Judy reminded me that she was reminded of her time teaching at a elementary school in Orondo, Wa. back in the early 90s.
Orondo has the same views as Blue Diamond, except without all the water from the Columbia River. It’s close to desert there, for sure…
Now, I know why this special little village settled in the valley of Red Rock Canyon moved Judy’s soul, and mine too. We both felt the tug on our heart and soul together…
We found a little memorial park at the end of town. It resembled a kids playground. The name got our attention, “Wood Stack Memorial Park.”
While Judy looked around and explored this soulful place to meditate and pray, I found a little bench to rest and dream a bit.
The bench was made from a railroad tie. It was stationed on top of 2 flat Sandstone rocks on either side. Sandstone is a big deal up here in the Red Rock Canyon…
Judy had my all so powerful smartphone camera with her filming. She was talking quietly from her heart and soul while meandering, softly and slowly, around the ghostly pathways. I was thinking of Halloween, no kidding!
Now, scroll up! Please take a listen, if you haven’t already, to Judy ‘n me talk a little about what we both felt as our thoughts drifted in peace and love…
Children and Families in Life After Trauma
