A Corner Grocer at the Cliff Edge

 Despite the warm autumn weather I have made it down into central Utah.  It certainly is the kind of place that keeps photographers happy.

But I found something more interesting than the scenery.  Once again, consider the hunters.  They are not really finding food in an economical way: for what they are spending on their sport they could buy an awful lot of food at the grocery store.  

But they must have enough perspicuity to find satisfaction in connecting with something fundamental in life.  Our species didn't come into existence a couple hundred thousand years ago as scenery tourists.  They hunted and gathered for a living.  What about me, today?  Could I connect with something fundamental?  How would I find food here?

I noticed a thick carpet of pinyon pine cones on the ground, and felt embarrassed that I knew nothing about the timing of pine nut production.  Then, a few steps from my camper, I found some cones still on the tree, and with the pine nuts still hanging on.

Perhaps I have made a mistake by not learning more about edible foods on wild land.  Granted, this is not as macho and glorious as being a successful elk hunter, but I really did get some satisfaction in finding these pine nuts.