UPDATE: I'm trying to work with UA-cam Creator Support to figure out why some of you are having strange language issues with this video. Some have said that refreshing the video will eventually get it to English. I'm sorry, once I have an update I will post here.* Hey all, I had to take this down after my initial upload because of a strange glitch where people were only seeing the video in German. So I re-uploaded and hope I fixed the issue. Thank you for supporting the channel over the past year, excited for what's coming in year 2! Check out today's sponsor, Surfshark for a Desert Drifter discount surfshark.com/desert
Thank you for making that clear...thought I was the one glitching! I did watch the first time round and don't believe I was hearing it in German! Keep up the good videos! Your voice is very soothing to listen to! ❤😊
You shouldn't have to apologize for not telling where you are. MOST of us, totally understand! I personally couldn't get to those places even if I knew where! I'd rather leave it up to the experts, like you, to show us what you find. I have watched your channel for almost a year, so have a happy anniversary! I thoroughly appreciate and enjoy your videos and hope you continue to do these!
Can’t agree more, no one complains that you can’t touch ancient masterpieces in a museum because your denied access to the spaces they are kept in, this is no different just because it’s not in a building. The fact it’s on public ground does not mean we have any “right” to know where to find these ancient master works of their day.
"You shouldn't have to apologize for not telling where you are" I agree totally. Although I suspect that the vast majority of subscribers would tread lightly if visiting one of these locations, it really only takes one or two people to ruin them for everyone else.
Thanks for your hard work. Fantastic job on all your camera footage. Congratulations on the year and enjoy watching each show. Cheers from Sydney Australia. Have a great Christmas. 👍 thanks mate 👍
My wife and I totally agree with you! We could never get to those places ourselves, and are grateful to Andrew for his expertise, as well as his courage in climbing rocks we would consider impassible!
Been here from the beginning, didnt even realize you're at 380K as of today. Congrats! As an indigenous puebloan descendant, appreciate your respect for the lands you explore.
Congratulations on the first Anniversary of the channel ! The growth of the channel has been remarkable and I think you deserve the success. Thanks for the videos Andrew !!!
Thank you for not posting location data! It will stop relic hunters, and prevent many useless rescues from unprepared hikers. There are many people that go into the back country that have no business being there risking others for there stupidty. Former SAR team member & Wilderness EMT.
People can go out and explore if they want to and if anybody needs rescued there are people trained to do it, it is there job isn't it, or should we all stay at home just in case we need rescued.
@@jase4270 Spoken just like someone who's spent no time in the wilderness... 🤦♂️ RHawkAdventures is exactly correct. I've made hundreds of trips into the wild, and, unfortunately, I've also seen the damage that happens to places when they go from known to unknown. 😕
@@jamesedwards6173 Indeed. And I will say now that I am one that would look at the start of these places and enjoy them from that place, no further, thank you. I love watching most of it all, but even watching those tricky places to traverse we see in these videos is hard for me. Forget being there.
Dear Andrew / Desert Drifter, me and my wife watch you from Catalonia and we want to congratulate you on this first anniversary of your channel. I can tell you it has transfomed our You Tube experience. I think the Internet was invented precisely so that us humans could share valuable information and promote such positive values as the ones you endorse. Thanks for your care towards heritage. We are learning so much through your channel and we keep on looking forward to your next video!
I went with a Native American art show to Japan about 30 years ago. I got to know most of the artists personally. One of them told me that his family had found jewelry in an Indian Gallery in Portland, Oregon that was buried with his grandmother. There are still unscrupulous people out there that will even rob graves. That is why it is so important to keep your locations private. Good work.
I was a rock climber for a long time until I went through a devastating illness. Now at 79, I am happy to watch others enjoy the adventure of the unknown. A wise elder, once gave me some advice that still resonates, even today. "When in doubt, don't." Watching you navigate your way up the mountain, I can appreciate your caution as you climb.
I am grateful that you don't give location specifics. All of us who love watching your channel and listening to your commentary appreciate the care and reverence you practice as you travel through these ancient places. As usual, though, I was white knuckled several times watching you work your way up to the arch. The unstable rocks, sandy/gravely surfaces and brittle dead trees along with some of the camera angles made me hold my breath till you got on more solid footing. I know you are experienced and professional and don't take chances. Most of us would NEVER get to see these incredibly beautiful places if it were not for you and a handful of other adventurers. I love watching you videos and look forward to everyone and watch many over and over again. The last thing I want to say is, like you, I wonder WHY these people chose to live in these seemingly impossible places. It makes me appreciate the effort, strength and ingenuity they had. What incredible lives they lived!
Thanks for taking me on these adventures. At 75 years, need to set some boundaries for myself. I was always hooping on xxxl chunks of granite,used for a buffer, around Oregon Inlet,NC .but a recent fall , a trip to ER, stitches,broken nose,busted rotator cuffs both sides, a concussion,double vision, etc. now will enjoy YOUR company for climbing. Love your work and your company. Stay safe, Pablo
Congrats on the one year anniversary! As someone who doesn't live in north america (central european here), I'm stunned by the landscape/emptiness of people and of course the ruins you show in every video. Here in europe we just don't have anything like that - lots of historical sites and aweinspiring ruins, but all those things are very, and I mean very, different to the part of the world you show us! Thank you for your topnotch videos, respectfull appreciation of the past and good luck for the next year of exploration! I can't wait to see on what trips you're taking us next ;)
The arrival of Old World disease with the Missionaries resulted in a 90%+ depopulation of North American cultures. By the 1600's most were gone. Population estimates reach as high as 100 Million people in the pre Columbus Western Hemisphere.
I know isn't it amazing! I'm a native born American, and even I'm shocked I mean I had seen stuff like this in some movies in grade school but it was just like the Grand canyon with this traditional music that is spectacular enough but the vastness of it is what I don't understand that America has this vast vast plateau and even more that is uninhabited like and that ancient Indians live there I would never know the extent of these ruins. Or I would not have the understanding of this particular time period when these Indians were hiding for their lives. I still can't get over the remoteness of it all. Now I'm old with congestive heart failure at 67 so I will never get to do this stuff any hiking. And I was at one time a sleek 103 lb woman n speed racer, and dancer. So it's nice to learn this stuff even at this late stage in the game.
I know isn't it amazing! I'm a native born American, and even I'm shocked I mean I had seen stuff like this in some movies in grade school but it was just like the Grand canyon with this traditional music that is spectacular enough but the vastness of it is what I don't understand that America has this vast vast plateau and even more that is uninhabited like and that ancient Indians live there I would never know the extent of these ruins. Or I would not have the understanding of this particular time period when these Indians were hiding for their lives. I still can't get over the remoteness of it all. Now I'm old with congestive heart failure at 67 so I will never get to do this stuff any hiking. And I was at one time a sleek 103 lb woman n speed racer, and dancer. So it's nice to learn this stuff even at this late stage in the game.
@@supertruckertom I do have a rudimentery understanding of the consequences of migration/conquest. I'm quite interested in history (both prehistoric and classical/antiquity). Though I have to say, a lot of sites he visits/shows us predate the arrival of europeans. Also in europe you can see also quite a few major population disruptions due to migration and some huge population drops due to either migration or deases (probably most well known is the black plague that decimated the european population by between estimated 30 and 50% within a few years - that's between 75 and 200 million). Even though I'm european, I can still appreciate the craftmanship, remains and culture of other peoples - keeping an open mind is the key to a good life imho!
@@kayhansen9229 The vastness and emptiness of those endless grasslands and canyons is something truely humbling/inspiring. The only experience I had that I imagine could maybe come close is, when you stand on the top a mountain in the alps quite a bit above the treeline (guess around 3.000m would be sufficient) - one little inconsequental human speck looking over the landscape and wondering how people lived in times before. Who was maybe standing at the same spot before? What were they thinking? Did they have the same feelings or are they a new/modern thing with our distance to nature/lost connection to our surroundings?
I don't care if your videos are 15 minutes or 45 minutes. I enjoy watching all of them and maybe even part 1 2 or 3 combined. Might even be fun seeing a 2-hour video in a 3-week sequence. There's so much in between that is probably fascinating
I’m so grateful to have found your channel 🙏🏻 I live in such different terain , I’m nestled in the tiny hills of Somerset Uk 🇬🇧 and I absolutely marvel at your huge skies , and vast mountain ranges. Your care and mindfulness of the history lives of the ancestors of the land is very special. Thank you for taking us along with you 🙏🏻
I can't believe this channel is only one year old and that 381k subs already. Just goes to show that real quality content and a respectful host are valued. Thank you and I look forward to many more years Andrew.
One year already and I honestly have no idea how you don’t have a million plus subs yet. Great videos and content, the footage is always super high def too. Keep up the great content!
To think that whole families climbed those cliffs, young and old folks and the young men hauling the wood up to make their dwellings. They were remarkable people. Congrats on your one year anniversary. As always a great video and exploration.
I regret finding your channel. I'm from the high desert southwest, and moved to Alaska 4 years ago. What you're doing is what I used to do, and now I'm homesick as I am catching cabin fever being stuck inside during a bitter cold windstorm
I ENJOY your use of the drone better than anyone because you don't OVERUSE it to explain your work. Thank you for turning me on to a subject I'd NEVER EVER know about. Cont success.
I generally hate commercials of any kind, however I love seeing my partner in crime. Always brings a chuckle. Also, I completely understand why you don’t post locations. I have seen too much casual destruction, appreciate how respectful you are. When these are gone, it is forever! I can no longer do these treks myself but I still love seeing them. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving.
@@franks4973 I would agree with you most of the time on advertisements but advertisements for positive people doing positive. Things is a good thing. The advertisers on this product believe in what he’s doing, and I am for that
Thanks Andrew; as a dude who grew up in Arizona, I really appreciate tagging along with you in your videos; but mainly because now I am watching from a wheelchair and can’t do anything like this anymore. Congrats on the 1 year mark! Hopefully, many more to come! Great job on your journey!
Happy 1yr. Anniversary!You have accomplished alot. You have accrued a great many followers, and should be proud. You are a self taught historian, an archaelogist and a story teller , you're gracious and humble and we all get to live a little vicariously through you. You have alot to teach people and you lead by example, which is so important so that other people who are interested, do not take, or steal, not even a pottery shard, or an arrow head, from these ancient archaeological sites, you make sure people know the proper etiquette when visiting, so they know not to camp near or in a site, so that it may be preserved so that people can continue to enjoy and protect so many of these known and unknown sites. Ive shared your channel with my sons, and they have shown ur channel to their friends, and so on ,and I would urge your other viewers to share as well. Keep on keeping on, sir. Your doing a tremendous service so that the indigenous people that once roamed this land, when it was wild and free, have a proper history told and not forgotten. ❤️🌎
Thank you Andrew and the DD crew for fixing the audio! I’m all set to enjoy this special video!! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 🦃 And Happy One Year Anniversary to Desert Drifter!
Just a note of thanks. I live in Wales's South West, where Im surrounded by thousands (literally) of 4-5,000 year old sacred sites, but I love deserts, and it's such a joy to see your films about American's South West... so from one SW to another - thanks Amigo.
I watch from Scotland and took it for granted you would not disclose locations. My particular thing is nature, I've seen amazing things and rare critters and wouldn't dream of giving away their location to anyone who didn't already have my respect. You do right to educate without facilitating the greed or selfishness of others. If someone has a genuine interest they will do their research as you do, put in the miles and earn those smiles.
I love watching these, but I need to be fully awake because your voice is so soothing. One year carrying all of us along!!! Hope your back isn't tired so we get more!!
Your voice is very calming and leaves me feeling peaceful after watching. Love your adventures. We have only been to moab and mesa verde area but we are getting older now
Congrats Andrew on your first year and after 380k subscribers?! What?! Great job! It doesn't surprise me how fast this grew and I can't be more happier for you and Mrs. Desert Drifter!
Congrats on your anniversary. Your right to not mention locations. People can look for themselves if they want. Really enjoy your vids .thank you for showing them.
Congratulations on the one year anniversary Andrew. My wife and I have watched every video. We wish you all the best as you continue to explore and enlighten us.
So thankful your channel found my feed. It is not like I was viewing other exploration channels, but for some reason I clicked on yours. Boy, what an unexpected find. Thank you for taking us along on your journeys.
Happy One Year Anniversary! And thank you for showing content that an old man, who is no longer capable of hiking and exploring, can watch and join you in his heart. The wild places still call to me echoing down the halls of my memory. Blessings
Desert Drifter can experience the bug bites, creepy crawlies, and any poison ivy while I comfortably explore and feel inspired to draft like story panels in appreciation. Happy anniversary to this wonderful channel.
The DD's videos are educational and quite fascinating. One of the best uses of YT I have seen. We get to see places that we are unlikely ever to visit. Particularly like the excellent drone camerawork where we see vistas that have remained essentially unchanged for thousands of years. Makes you realise how lucky we are to live on such a beautiful planet.
Happy Anniversary! I just turned 70, and I so enjoy your videos. I have seen them all!!You are taking me places that I would love to see in person, thank you. I can say, this one made me more nervous then others, speaking as a grandmother! Lol I can say, all those things you were wonder if you need more of, you are all those and more. Your whole being is very impressive, Happy Thanksgiveing!
Congratulations on your 1 year Anniversary. Thank you for not posting exact locations of the sites you visit. As a native of the American Southwest I've seen many beautiful sites in my long life. In re-visiting some of these sites many years later is breaks my heart to see the destruction wrought by individuals with no respect to the history and beauty left by our ancestors. I follow you because of the respect and reverence you show in your travels.
Thanks for taking this off private. You’re video’s are too good to be private. Thank you for the videos and for being sly sharing your faith with your viewers. God bless you and prosper you.
I set to private and then re-uploaded because of the strange automatic dubbing problem people are having. It seems like some still are having that problem. I'm reaching out to UA-cam support now...
You have got to be one of the most intrepid individuals out there man, and bringing us the most fascinating footage of , what would otherwise, remain unseen . Truly stunning and very moving . I do find myself wishing you had a friend there with you, that is some seriously dodgy terrain . You seem at ease with the danger, but a pair is much safer. No doubt people are aware you're out there I guess, but how long may you have to wait for help? Please consider this...? Cheers , stay safe ! Good hunting!
Congratulations on 1 year! Another incredible journey. As a person who thinks it's important to obey the rules, I appreciate that you hiked in and out the same day as directed. Thank you for your attention to detail and for taking us on another awe inspiring journey. We may not all have ancient Fremont ruins to explore, but we can all get outside and observe, even in the big cities, some of the most beautiful and intricate architecture I've ever seen has been in NYC.
Another video with unmatched natural beauty, thank you Andrew and congratulations on your 1st anniversary. Glad you flew the drone near the beginning, the foliage colors are stunning. Love the finger marks in the mortar, such a connection to the ancient people.
Andrew, congrats! Your community has grown so rapidly because of the quality and content of your videos. We are simply a mirror… Thank you for sharing your life and knowledge, and for letting this crone to vicariously live her youthful dreams… (Anthropology with focus on ancient civilizations of the Americas)
Congratulations on 1 year ! You easily have the best exploration channel on yt by far. Love your attention to detail and explaining what you are sharing with us. Thank you
Happy anniversary! Your channel is amazing! I'm from Germany and I'm watching in awe every time. You are really good at explaining everything in a calm and well-chosen manner. I am fascinated by the landscape and the history of the tribal people that once lived there. Thank you for bringing that closer to everybody, even if they are watching from the other side of the world, like me!
Congratulations, Andrew! 🎉😊 It's a challenge to comprehend how people lived 100s or 1000s of years ago...why they lived the way they did and the choices they made to live there. They lived in harmony and symmetry with the rocks, trees, and streams. We can't fathom their choices, but we can appreciate and respect their ingenuity and dignity.
Come on, be real. If they lived in Harmony they wouldn’t have exhausted their resources and left. They also didn’t practice “leave no trace”. They also didn’t have a choice where they lived. They were limited to places with water and enough fertile ground to farm. Plus they needed a lot of animals to kill to feed themselves. Heck, we cherish their efforts to deface nature. 🤣 The truth is that they did the best they could with what they had. They lived extremely difficult, short and violent lives. They made war upon other groups who violated what they thought of as their hunting territory and they took slaves and raped the captured women to replenish their bloodlines. In very difficult times most of these groups resorted to cannibalism according to the archeological evidence. Ever wonder why we don’t find many Native American skeletal remains? My ancestors were the Powhatan Confederacy and we were wiped off the face of the earth by the Iroquois. To understand the Native American you first have to get rid of all that rubbish about how perfect and peaceful their existence was. There’s a reason they built their dwelling high up on cliffs that were almost impossible to get to.
One year! Congratulations. Your channel is the most satisfying South West exploring one I have come across. Just seeing where the old people lived and the extreme measures they took to hide themselves and their food gives a good clue as to how dangerous it must have been for them. I wonder what the danger was? Other tribes, large animals or something we haven't even considered? Keep up the amazing content and stay safe. Thank you for showing and protecting history!
Happy Anniversary! I'm glad that you don't give out specific locations. I have seen the desecration to some of our ancient Australian First Peoples art work. Some have had whole slabs removed to be sold to collectors. Some are vandalised with graffiti and destruction for the sake of it. When you realise that some of this work was/is thousands of years old it is more than upsetting. There are some truly dreadful people out there. I know that I will never get to the places you take us and they are beautiful, wild and historical - thank you 🙂🦘🦘🦘
Happy Anniversary! Not only are you an excellent guide but you are also a masterful Storyteller. Thank you for another great adventure. P.S. You scare the **** out of me sometimes! 😳😯
Congratulations Desert Drifter on your one year anniversary! I so enjoy every episode and look forward to many more in the days and weeks to come. You have inspired me to learn more about these ancient people, and the respect you have for our history is amazing. Thank you for this wholesome content my friend! Happy Thanksgiving!
I can’t believe it’s been a year already! I enjoy how calm and laidback you are. You calmly climb things and up places that give me high anxiety! Thanks for taking us along! Love your leave no trace, take no relics mantra. Keep these wonderful adventures coming. Bring Evelyn along once in awhile, your interaction is heartwarming!
I could never understand my son's obsession with the desert and rock climbing, until I watched your channel. Now I am obsessed! Great channel, thank you!🎉❤❤
Congratulations 🎉🥳🎈Desert Drifter! One year! I so love your videos. I love the American west with all my heart! I was born here and never want to leave. Been all over the west. It truly is a wonderful place to be. Thank you for taking us along on your adventures. We get to see things and places that a lot of us would probably never get to. Plus we’re able to see upclose such special sacred places without causing harm. Thank you for your respect and consideration for this land. I always look forward to your next adventure! Thank you for sharing all the beauty and wonder! Peace be with you always ✌🏻😊
I had no idea your channel was so young! I must have stumbled upon your videos right near the beginning. Congrats on 1 year! I’ve throughly enjoyed your explorations and I particularly love the emphasis you put on the native people who inhabited these places. It’s truly such a monumental shame how little we know about the people who roamed this country before us, so thank you for sharing with us the things you find. I look forward to the years to come!
Amazing place. I've been to some places similar to this and I very rarely tell the location to anyone. I go alone and take nothing but my memory and photos. And above all else, I respect your commitment to protecting this site. Beautiful drone footage as well.
Love your channel! I’m an avid hiker living in the SW, but I never get anywhere as deep as you do, you really find the most amazing places, and you take us with you. Thanks for doing such great work!
Nope, I’m fine with places kept secret, way too many people have zero respect for anything. All they want to do is trash it with their own interpretation of art. I rather enjoy watching you find these beautiful remote places. Your respect for these ancient places is what makes it special. So Happy Anniversary and keep on a trekking!
Love your content. Thank you for taking all of us along on your adventures! Anyone else get nervous watching him climb up the steep parts? Be careful out there brother.
My husband found your channel on UA-cam,.we spent the weekend binge watching! You are.a great narrator, and we learned so much about the southwest early people. The bear,.and child footprints were amazing! We will continue to watch! Thank you!
I so very much enjoy living vicariously your adventures. I have lived near and have only briefly visited many similar areas that you display when, in the past, I explored and hunted the SW USA. I am so appreciative of the technology that allows you to share what you see with me, and I guess others. I so miss the beautiful vistas and scenes of years gone by. Age has robbed me of the ability and opportunity to see them again personally. You allow me to do so again. Be certain that you share these moments with those that you love.
WOW ! First anniversary 😘 and you're this good already 😁 You're one of a kind and so appreciate you NOT giving out locations !!! Reached the end of my long distance hiking and I don't miss one video you do. Your hiking skills are amazing 🙏
I love the opening, “big day, I’d love to get the drone out but have to stay focused.” Immediately cuts to drone footage. Congrats on the one year, my family and I love watching your journey, your natural humorous wit blended with your historical story telling and beautiful videography make your channel and absolute treasure. Thank you
Good to see you playing the flute, very fitting to be playing in Indian territory. I am a flutist also, as well as a certified drone pilot, like you a couple of my top passions. Great UA-cam productions, very honest and personable. Keep up the great work, and we will keep watching!!!
yay! no more audio in German! I thought maybe Surfshark hijacked your channel. ;-) I will never understand how they were such amazing rock climbers way back then. AND I fully support and agree with you NOT disclosing these site locations.
Thanks Andrew and congratulations on your first year anniversary. I've been watching your channel for around that long and have enjoyed every single video you have put out - even if I have to look the other way when you climb onto high places. You give so many people such pleasure including me - in the end it's the simple things that have the most impact; beautiful/stunning scenery, nature and history along with your empathetic desciptions and explanations. Thank you both - I'm sure Evelyn is working in the background to help these things happen :) Looking forward to the second year!
UPDATE: I'm trying to work with UA-cam Creator Support to figure out why some of you are having strange language issues with this video. Some have said that refreshing the video will eventually get it to English. I'm sorry, once I have an update I will post here.*
Hey all, I had to take this down after my initial upload because of a strange glitch where people were only seeing the video in German. So I re-uploaded and hope I fixed the issue. Thank you for supporting the channel over the past year, excited for what's coming in year 2! Check out today's sponsor, Surfshark for a Desert Drifter discount surfshark.com/desert
Oh, you were speaking in tongues?
It fixed the language issue for me.
Fixed
Fixed! Congrats on the anniversary, Andrew. Love and appreciate what you do.
Thank you for making that clear...thought I was the one glitching! I did watch the first time round and don't believe I was hearing it in German! Keep up the good videos! Your voice is very soothing to listen to! ❤😊
You shouldn't have to apologize for not telling where you are. MOST of us, totally understand! I personally couldn't get to those places even if I knew where! I'd rather leave it up to the experts, like you, to show us what you find. I have watched your channel for almost a year, so have a happy anniversary! I thoroughly appreciate and enjoy your videos and hope you continue to do these!
Can’t agree more, no one complains that you can’t touch ancient masterpieces in a museum because your denied access to the spaces they are kept in, this is no different just because it’s not in a building. The fact it’s on public ground does not mean we have any “right” to know where to find these ancient master works of their day.
Same! I'm glad you don't reveal the locations. It would all be lost.
"You shouldn't have to apologize for not telling where you are" I agree totally. Although I suspect that the vast majority of subscribers would tread lightly if visiting one of these locations, it really only takes one or two people to ruin them for everyone else.
Thanks for your hard work. Fantastic job on all your camera footage. Congratulations on the year and enjoy watching each show. Cheers from Sydney Australia. Have a great Christmas. 👍 thanks mate 👍
My wife and I totally agree with you! We could never get to those places ourselves, and are grateful to Andrew for his expertise, as well as his courage in climbing rocks we would consider impassible!
Been here from the beginning, didnt even realize you're at 380K as of today. Congrats!
As an indigenous puebloan descendant, appreciate your respect for the lands you explore.
Thank you my friend
@@Desert.Drifter yes, you have Native American subscribers. 👍
@@spookygirl7761we’re all native Americans
@@Dru517says who?
@@Dru517Nope , I am an Australian . I only found these videos a couple of weeks ago . UA-cam did good .
Congratulations on the first Anniversary of the channel ! The growth of the channel has been remarkable and I think you deserve the success. Thanks for the videos Andrew !!!
Thank you noyopacific, you’ve been here since the beginning, and I appreciate that! Love seeing your comments
I just wanted you to whip out a bivi bag and stealth camp overnight in that cave! What a cool place!
Looking forward to a revisit video for your 2yr anniversary and bunch of fun stuff in between.
Why is the pottery always broken... and where is the rest...
Where are the rest of the broken shards...
Thank you for not posting location data!
It will stop relic hunters, and prevent many useless rescues from unprepared hikers. There are many people that go into the back country that have no business being there risking others for there stupidty.
Former SAR team member & Wilderness EMT.
People can go out and explore if they want to and if anybody needs rescued there are people trained to do it, it is there job isn't it, or should we all stay at home just in case we need rescued.
@@jase4270 Spoken just like someone who's spent no time in the wilderness... 🤦♂️ RHawkAdventures is exactly correct. I've made hundreds of trips into the wild, and, unfortunately, I've also seen the damage that happens to places when they go from known to unknown. 😕
@@jamesedwards6173 Indeed. And I will say now that I am one that would look at the start of these places and enjoy them from that place, no further, thank you. I love watching most of it all, but even watching those tricky places to traverse we see in these videos is hard for me. Forget being there.
Dear Andrew / Desert Drifter, me and my wife watch you from Catalonia and we want to congratulate you on this first anniversary of your channel. I can tell you it has transfomed our You Tube experience. I think the Internet was invented precisely so that us humans could share valuable information and promote such positive values as the ones you endorse. Thanks for your care towards heritage. We are learning so much through your channel and we keep on looking forward to your next video!
Same for me from Tennessee.
Amen😊
My absolute favorite channel on UA-cam
Mine too!! 🎉 ❤❤❤❤
@@MargaretWellman-Turgeon More weird, I came back a few hours later and it was in English. Time to watch :)
I went with a Native American art show to Japan about 30 years ago. I got to know most of the artists personally. One of them told me that his family had found jewelry in an Indian Gallery in Portland, Oregon that was buried with his grandmother. There are still unscrupulous people out there that will even rob graves. That is why it is so important to keep your locations private. Good work.
I had heard of a person that did this up outside of Payson AZ. That person went to prison long ago. Prior to 2000.
Yes, sadly there has been, and continues to be, plenty of looting throughout our country’s archaeological sites 😔
@@Desert.Drifteryou're not wrong. There are only 3 people on this planet I share site discoveries with. All 3 are usually exploring with me.
I was a rock climber for a long time until I went through a devastating illness. Now at 79, I am happy to watch others enjoy the adventure of the unknown. A wise elder, once gave me some advice that still resonates, even today. "When in doubt, don't." Watching you navigate your way up the mountain, I can appreciate your caution as you climb.
When in doubt, don’t…. I appreciate that advice for all things!
Where did they get water?
I am grateful that you don't give location specifics. All of us who love watching your channel and listening to your commentary appreciate the care and reverence you practice as you travel through these ancient places. As usual, though, I was white knuckled several times watching you work your way up to the arch. The unstable rocks, sandy/gravely surfaces and brittle dead trees along with some of the camera angles made me hold my breath till you got on more solid footing. I know you are experienced and professional and don't take chances. Most of us would NEVER get to see these incredibly beautiful places if it were not for you and a handful of other adventurers. I love watching you videos and look forward to everyone and watch many over and over again. The last thing I want to say is, like you, I wonder WHY these people chose to live in these seemingly impossible places. It makes me appreciate the effort, strength and ingenuity they had. What incredible lives they lived!
Congrats on the success of this channel. The photography, adventure, storyline, and introspective monologue make this channel a must watch!
Plus his voice is lovely..😊
The quality of your content is so impressive given the fact that you've been doing this for a year. Can't wait to see what you do in the future!
Thank you for watching!
Thank you for taking this old, Alaskan Grandma along on your adventures! I love your videos!
Thanks for taking me on these adventures. At 75 years, need to set some boundaries for myself. I was always hooping on xxxl chunks of granite,used for a buffer, around Oregon Inlet,NC .but a recent fall , a trip to ER, stitches,broken nose,busted rotator cuffs both sides, a concussion,double vision, etc. now will enjoy YOUR company for climbing. Love your work and your company. Stay safe, Pablo
"I’d love to get the drone out but I have to stay focused" cuts to stunning drone footage 😂 I love it! Thanks for another amazing adventure.
Congrats on the one year anniversary!
As someone who doesn't live in north america (central european here), I'm stunned by the landscape/emptiness of people and of course the ruins you show in every video. Here in europe we just don't have anything like that - lots of historical sites and aweinspiring ruins, but all those things are very, and I mean very, different to the part of the world you show us!
Thank you for your topnotch videos, respectfull appreciation of the past and good luck for the next year of exploration! I can't wait to see on what trips you're taking us next ;)
The arrival of Old World disease with the Missionaries resulted in a 90%+ depopulation of North American cultures.
By the 1600's most were gone.
Population estimates reach as high as 100 Million people in the pre Columbus Western Hemisphere.
I know isn't it amazing! I'm a native born American, and even I'm shocked I mean I had seen stuff like this in some movies in grade school but it was just like the Grand canyon with this traditional music that is spectacular enough but the vastness of it is what I don't understand that America has this vast vast plateau and even more that is uninhabited like and that ancient Indians live there I would never know the extent of these ruins. Or I would not have the understanding of this particular time period when these Indians were hiding for their lives. I still can't get over the remoteness of it all. Now I'm old with congestive heart failure at 67 so I will never get to do this stuff any hiking.
And I was at one time a sleek 103 lb woman n speed racer, and dancer. So it's nice to learn this stuff even at this late stage in the game.
I know isn't it amazing! I'm a native born American, and even I'm shocked I mean I had seen stuff like this in some movies in grade school but it was just like the Grand canyon with this traditional music that is spectacular enough but the vastness of it is what I don't understand that America has this vast vast plateau and even more that is uninhabited like and that ancient Indians live there I would never know the extent of these ruins. Or I would not have the understanding of this particular time period when these Indians were hiding for their lives. I still can't get over the remoteness of it all. Now I'm old with congestive heart failure at 67 so I will never get to do this stuff any hiking.
And I was at one time a sleek 103 lb woman n speed racer, and dancer. So it's nice to learn this stuff even at this late stage in the game.
@@supertruckertom I do have a rudimentery understanding of the consequences of migration/conquest. I'm quite interested in history (both prehistoric and classical/antiquity). Though I have to say, a lot of sites he visits/shows us predate the arrival of europeans. Also in europe you can see also quite a few major population disruptions due to migration and some huge population drops due to either migration or deases (probably most well known is the black plague that decimated the european population by between estimated 30 and 50% within a few years - that's between 75 and 200 million).
Even though I'm european, I can still appreciate the craftmanship, remains and culture of other peoples - keeping an open mind is the key to a good life imho!
@@kayhansen9229 The vastness and emptiness of those endless grasslands and canyons is something truely humbling/inspiring.
The only experience I had that I imagine could maybe come close is, when you stand on the top a mountain in the alps quite a bit above the treeline (guess around 3.000m would be sufficient) - one little inconsequental human speck looking over the landscape and wondering how people lived in times before. Who was maybe standing at the same spot before? What were they thinking? Did they have the same feelings or are they a new/modern thing with our distance to nature/lost connection to our surroundings?
I don't care if your videos are 15 minutes or 45 minutes. I enjoy watching all of them and maybe even part 1 2 or 3 combined. Might even be fun seeing a 2-hour video in a 3-week sequence. There's so much in between that is probably fascinating
Desert Drifter's storytelling is unparalleled. I look forward to each new adventure! ❤
I’m so grateful to have found your channel 🙏🏻 I live in such different terain , I’m nestled in the tiny hills of Somerset Uk 🇬🇧 and I absolutely marvel at your huge skies , and vast mountain ranges. Your care and mindfulness of the history lives of the ancestors of the land is very special. Thank you for taking us along with you 🙏🏻
I can't believe this channel is only one year old and that 381k subs already. Just goes to show that real quality content and a respectful host are valued. Thank you and I look forward to many more years Andrew.
One year already and I honestly have no idea how you don’t have a million plus subs yet. Great videos and content, the footage is always super high def too. Keep up the great content!
Thanks, hopefully we’ll get there one day!
To think that whole families climbed those cliffs, young and old folks and the young men hauling the wood up to make their dwellings. They were remarkable people. Congrats on your one year anniversary. As always a great video and exploration.
Yes, they lived their lives and yet left behind the beauty of nature. To think of what is done to the planet today just makes me sad.
gotta wonder how much of their landscape has eroded in the intervening years
I assume that they hauled water up daily also.
Now you make your own soundtracks! Dude this channel just went way next level of Authentic magic!
Yes! Love the subtle background soundtrack!
Glad you liked the native flute, I’ll have to bring it along more frequently
Professional editing! You see amazing things. Thank you for letting me tag along.
I regret finding your channel. I'm from the high desert southwest, and moved to Alaska 4 years ago. What you're doing is what I used to do, and now I'm homesick as I am catching cabin fever being stuck inside during a bitter cold windstorm
May you find joy and solace in these videos and in yourself! Blessings and warmth to you.
Thank you for not geo-tagging! Great content and happy trails!
I ENJOY your use of the drone better than anyone because you don't OVERUSE it to explain your work. Thank you for turning me on to a subject I'd NEVER EVER know about. Cont success.
I generally hate commercials of any kind, however I love seeing my partner in crime. Always brings a chuckle. Also, I completely understand why you don’t post locations. I have seen too much casual destruction, appreciate how respectful you are. When these are gone, it is forever! I can no longer do these treks myself but I still love seeing them. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving.
@@franks4973 I would agree with you most of the time on advertisements but advertisements for positive people doing positive. Things is a good thing. The advertisers on this product believe in what he’s doing, and I am for that
Thanks Andrew; as a dude who grew up in Arizona, I really appreciate tagging along with you in your videos; but mainly because now I am watching from a wheelchair and can’t do anything like this anymore. Congrats on the 1 year mark! Hopefully, many more to come! Great job on your journey!
Happy 1yr. Anniversary!You have accomplished alot. You have accrued a great many followers, and should be proud. You are a self taught historian, an archaelogist and a story teller , you're gracious and humble and we all get to live a little vicariously through you. You have alot to teach people and you lead by example, which is so important so that other people who are interested, do not take, or steal, not even a pottery shard, or an arrow head, from these ancient archaeological sites, you make sure people know the proper etiquette when visiting, so they know not to camp near or in a site, so that it may be preserved so that people can continue to enjoy and protect so many of these known and unknown sites. Ive shared your channel with my sons, and they have shown ur channel to their friends, and so on ,and I would urge your other viewers to share as well. Keep on keeping on, sir. Your doing a tremendous service so that the indigenous people that once roamed this land, when it was wild and free, have a proper history told and not forgotten.
❤️🌎
No lie, that first glimpse of the arch gave me a shiver. How beautiful!
It’s a stunning feature, no doubt about it!
I think you've built an incredibly important catalog of important videos
This is a good point! Indeed!
Thank you Andrew and the DD crew for fixing the audio! I’m all set to enjoy this special video!! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 🦃 And Happy One Year Anniversary to Desert Drifter!
Happy Thanksgiving to you phlebgrl!
Just a note of thanks. I live in Wales's South West, where Im surrounded by thousands (literally) of 4-5,000 year old sacred sites, but I love deserts, and it's such a joy to see your films about American's South West... so from one SW to another - thanks Amigo.
I watch from Scotland and took it for granted you would not disclose locations. My particular thing is nature, I've seen amazing things and rare critters and wouldn't dream of giving away their location to anyone who didn't already have my respect. You do right to educate without facilitating the greed or selfishness of others. If someone has a genuine interest they will do their research as you do, put in the miles and earn those smiles.
I love watching these, but I need to be fully awake because your voice is so soothing. One year carrying all of us along!!! Hope your back isn't tired so we get more!!
Your voice is very calming and leaves me feeling peaceful after watching. Love your adventures. We have only been to moab and mesa verde area but we are getting older now
As a fan and sound bath practitioner who plays Native American Flute, your flute playing was very nice. 👏👏👏
Congrats Andrew on your first year and after 380k subscribers?! What?! Great job! It doesn't surprise me how fast this grew and I can't be more happier for you and Mrs. Desert Drifter!
😁🙏🏼
Congrats on your anniversary. Your right to not mention locations. People can look for themselves if they want. Really enjoy your vids .thank you for showing them.
Congratulations on the one year anniversary Andrew. My wife and I have watched every video. We wish you all the best as you continue to explore and enlighten us.
First time viewer, thanks for taking me on your journey. That was a big effort. 👍 from 🇦🇺
So thankful your channel found my feed. It is not like I was viewing other exploration channels, but for some reason I clicked on yours. Boy, what an unexpected find. Thank you for taking us along on your journeys.
Glad you found the channel, thanks for tuning in!
I admire you for not sharing the locations. They are not secret; people can find them on their own, but not in droves. Keep it up. I love your videos!
Erph.....I think
Happy anniversary. Glad it didn’t stop with this one. Oh and you don’t need to step up anything! Thank you.
Congratulations and Happy 1 year Desert Drifter!! 🙏 You’ve grown so rapidly within one year, proud of being here along the journey 🎊
I am a retired history teacher. I loved teaching the 1st half of American history. I love seeing and learning from you.
Ditto. Had many Navajo students who shared some info -- not every thing must be kept private from responsible outsiders.
I love your philosophy about leave No trace, take no relics, leave it where you find it.
Happy One Year Anniversary! And thank you for showing content that an old man, who is no longer capable of hiking and exploring, can watch and join you in his heart. The wild places still call to me echoing down the halls of my memory. Blessings
Desert Drifter can experience the bug bites, creepy crawlies, and any poison ivy while I comfortably explore and feel inspired to draft like story panels in appreciation. Happy anniversary to this wonderful channel.
I'm sitting in the ER watching this. It takes me there, and I appreciate it. It is neutral to the others as well, no politics or crime. Thank you DD
The DD's videos are educational and quite fascinating. One of the best uses of YT I have seen. We get to see places that we are unlikely ever to visit. Particularly like the excellent drone camerawork where we see vistas that have remained essentially unchanged for thousands of years. Makes you realise how lucky we are to live on such a beautiful planet.
Hoping things worked out for you and whatever happened you're on the mend.
Happy Anniversary! I just turned 70, and I so enjoy your videos. I have seen them all!!You are taking me places that I would love to see in person, thank you. I can say, this one made me more nervous then others, speaking as a grandmother! Lol
I can say, all those things you were wonder if you need more of, you are all those and more. Your whole being is very impressive, Happy Thanksgiveing!
Happy Thanksgiving to you too Debbie!
Congratulations on your 1 year Anniversary. Thank you for not posting exact locations of the sites you visit. As a native of the American Southwest I've seen many beautiful sites in my long life. In re-visiting some of these sites many years later is breaks my heart to see the destruction wrought by individuals with no respect to the history and beauty left by our ancestors. I follow you because of the respect and reverence you show in your travels.
This is my absolute #1 favorite channel on UA-cam. Thank you Desert Drifter... God bless you for your excellence
Thank you so much for allowing us to tag along and enjoy the adventures with you! And, Happy Anniversary! 👍
Thanks for taking this off private. You’re video’s are too good to be private. Thank you for the videos and for being sly sharing your faith with your viewers. God bless you and prosper you.
He had issues with this video having German audio...so he re-uploaded it.
I set to private and then re-uploaded because of the strange automatic dubbing problem people are having. It seems like some still are having that problem. I'm reaching out to UA-cam support now...
@@Desert.Drifteryou are the best🎉 thank you for sharing those amazing tours, it makes me happy😊
@@Desert.Drifter Alluring Arctic had there latest video default to French. There is some sort of recent glitch in the upload process.
Keep playing the flute in your videos. Beautiful!
Yes 🪈 ❤ !!
It's perfectly suited to the location, and beautiful.
Yes more Flute. Mabey play the music to accompany a whole video?🤔
Thank you for that journey, and Happy 1 year Anniversary!
You have got to be one of the most intrepid individuals out there man, and bringing us the most fascinating footage of , what would otherwise, remain unseen . Truly stunning and very moving . I do find myself wishing you had a friend there with you, that is some seriously dodgy terrain . You seem at ease with the danger, but a pair is much safer. No doubt people are aware you're out there I guess, but how long may you have to wait for help? Please consider this...? Cheers , stay safe ! Good hunting!
Congratulations on 1 year! Another incredible journey. As a person who thinks it's important to obey the rules, I appreciate that you hiked in and out the same day as directed. Thank you for your attention to detail and for taking us on another awe inspiring journey. We may not all have ancient Fremont ruins to explore, but we can all get outside and observe, even in the big cities, some of the most beautiful and intricate architecture I've ever seen has been in NYC.
Another video with unmatched natural beauty, thank you Andrew and congratulations on your 1st anniversary. Glad you flew the drone near the beginning, the foliage colors are stunning. Love the finger marks in the mortar, such a connection to the ancient people.
Andrew, congrats! Your community has grown so rapidly because of the quality and content of your videos. We are simply a mirror…
Thank you for sharing your life and knowledge, and for letting this crone to vicariously live her youthful dreams… (Anthropology with focus on ancient civilizations of the Americas)
Camera work was great! Glad i dont have to climb that cliff. Geeze felt like i was there. Stay safe, cant wait for more😁💖💖💖💖
I found myself leaning into the high side of the narrow trail a couple of times. Very real!
@bobs7295 me too!
Congratulations on 1 year ! You easily have the best exploration channel on yt by far. Love your attention to detail and explaining what you are sharing with us. Thank you
Happy anniversary! Your channel is amazing! I'm from Germany and I'm watching in awe every time. You are really good at explaining everything in a calm and well-chosen manner. I am fascinated by the landscape and the history of the tribal people that once lived there. Thank you for bringing that closer to everybody, even if they are watching from the other side of the world, like me!
Congratulations, Andrew! 🎉😊 It's a challenge to comprehend how people lived 100s or 1000s of years ago...why they lived the way they did and the choices they made to live there. They lived in harmony and symmetry with the rocks, trees, and streams. We can't fathom their choices, but we can appreciate and respect their ingenuity and dignity.
Come on, be real. If they lived in Harmony they wouldn’t have exhausted their resources and left. They also didn’t practice “leave no trace”. They also didn’t have a choice where they lived. They were limited to places with water and enough fertile ground to farm. Plus they needed a lot of animals to kill to feed themselves. Heck, we cherish their efforts to deface nature. 🤣
The truth is that they did the best they could with what they had. They lived extremely difficult, short and violent lives. They made war upon other groups who violated what they thought of as their hunting territory and they took slaves and raped the captured women to replenish their bloodlines. In very difficult times most of these groups resorted to cannibalism according to the archeological evidence. Ever wonder why we don’t find many Native American skeletal remains?
My ancestors were the Powhatan Confederacy and we were wiped off the face of the earth by the Iroquois. To understand the Native American you first have to get rid of all that rubbish about how perfect and peaceful their existence was. There’s a reason they built their dwelling high up on cliffs that were almost impossible to get to.
Once again Andrew, I'm so glad I found you, breathtaking, thank you.
🦘🇦🇺Thank you Andrew for such a wonderful 1st anniversary present. Can’t wait for part 2. Sooo mezmerising. 🙏
One year! Congratulations. Your channel is the most satisfying South West exploring one I have come across. Just seeing where the old people lived and the extreme measures they took to hide themselves and their food gives a good clue as to how dangerous it must have been for them. I wonder what the danger was? Other tribes, large animals or something we haven't even considered?
Keep up the amazing content and stay safe. Thank you for showing and protecting history!
Happy Anniversary! I'm glad that you don't give out specific locations. I have seen the desecration to some of our ancient Australian First Peoples art work. Some have had whole slabs removed to be sold to collectors. Some are vandalised with graffiti and destruction for the sake of it. When you realise that some of this work was/is thousands of years old it is more than upsetting. There are some truly dreadful people out there. I know that I will never get to the places you take us and they are beautiful, wild and historical - thank you 🙂🦘🦘🦘
Your choice about locations is 100% thanks. 🤠
Phenomenally good job of recording and describing the characteristics of this beautiful historical site!
Happy Anniversary! Not only are you an excellent guide but you are also a masterful Storyteller. Thank you for another great adventure. P.S. You scare the **** out of me sometimes! 😳😯
Congratulations Desert Drifter on your one year anniversary! I so enjoy every episode and look forward to many more in the days and weeks to come. You have inspired me to learn more about these ancient people, and the respect you have for our history is amazing. Thank you for this wholesome content my friend! Happy Thanksgiving!
I can’t believe it’s been a year already! I enjoy how calm and laidback you are. You calmly climb things and up places that give me high anxiety! Thanks for taking us along! Love your leave no trace, take no relics mantra. Keep these wonderful adventures coming. Bring Evelyn along once in awhile, your interaction is heartwarming!
I could never understand my son's obsession with the desert and rock climbing, until I watched your channel. Now I am obsessed! Great channel, thank you!🎉❤❤
Congratulations 🎉🥳🎈Desert Drifter! One year! I so love your videos. I love the American west with all my heart! I was born here and never want to leave. Been all over the west. It truly is a wonderful place to be. Thank you for taking us along on your adventures. We get to see things and places that a lot of us would probably never get to. Plus we’re able to see upclose such special sacred places without causing harm. Thank you for your respect and consideration for this land. I always look forward to your next adventure! Thank you for sharing all the beauty and wonder! Peace be with you always ✌🏻😊
It’s only been a year? It’s so wonderful to watch your adventures. You’ve taught me so much about the southwest. Thank you.
Congrats for the first aniversary Andrew! your videos are amazing and inspiring!
Thanks for sharing!
Cheers from Patagonia , Argentina,
I had no idea your channel was so young! I must have stumbled upon your videos right near the beginning. Congrats on 1 year! I’ve throughly enjoyed your explorations and I particularly love the emphasis you put on the native people who inhabited these places. It’s truly such a monumental shame how little we know about the people who roamed this country before us, so thank you for sharing with us the things you find. I look forward to the years to come!
Congratulations on your one year anniversary Andrew! 🎉
Amazing place. I've been to some places similar to this and I very rarely tell the location to anyone. I go alone and take nothing but my memory and photos. And above all else, I respect your commitment to protecting this site. Beautiful drone footage as well.
Love your channel! I’m an avid hiker living in the SW, but I never get anywhere as deep as you do, you really find the most amazing places, and you take us with you. Thanks for doing such great work!
Nope, I’m fine with places kept secret, way too many people have zero respect for anything. All they want to do is trash it with their own interpretation of art. I rather enjoy watching you find these beautiful remote places. Your respect for these ancient places is what makes it special. So Happy Anniversary and keep on a trekking!
I very much enjoy your videos. As a 73 yr old I can only dream of experiencing treks like this. Thanks for bringing me along!
Congratulations for one year of amazing discoveries. Thank you for sharing!
Love your content. Thank you for taking all of us along on your adventures! Anyone else get nervous watching him climb up the steep parts? Be careful out there brother.
Once again thank you for taking us with you. I couldn’t agree more with you on not disclosing your location of your travels.
Congratulations on your one year anniversary!! Thanks for sharing your adventures with us!
My husband found your channel on UA-cam,.we spent the weekend binge watching! You are.a great narrator, and we learned so much about the southwest early people. The bear,.and child footprints were amazing! We will continue to watch! Thank you!
Congratulations on one year and thank you so very much for everything you have brought into my life.
Congratulations. Your channel has become a favorite of mine. Many more years and a 1M subs.
I so very much enjoy living vicariously your adventures. I have lived near and have only briefly visited many similar areas that you display when, in the past, I explored and hunted the SW USA. I am so appreciative of the technology that allows you to share what you see with me, and I guess others. I so miss the beautiful vistas and scenes of years gone by. Age has robbed me of the ability and opportunity to see them again personally. You allow me to do so again. Be certain that you share these moments with those that you love.
WOW ! First anniversary 😘 and you're this good already 😁 You're one of a kind and so appreciate you NOT giving out locations !!! Reached the end of my long distance hiking and I don't miss one video you do. Your hiking skills are amazing 🙏
I love the opening, “big day, I’d love to get the drone out but have to stay focused.” Immediately cuts to drone footage. Congrats on the one year, my family and I love watching your journey, your natural humorous wit blended with your historical story telling and beautiful videography make your channel and absolute treasure. Thank you
Good to see you playing the flute, very fitting to be playing in Indian territory. I am a flutist also, as well as a certified drone pilot, like you a couple of my top passions. Great UA-cam productions, very honest and personable. Keep up the great work, and we will keep watching!!!
Love how respectful you are to the past. God bless you.
yay! no more audio in German! I thought maybe Surfshark hijacked your channel. ;-) I will never understand how they were such amazing rock climbers way back then. AND I fully support and agree with you NOT disclosing these site locations.
The only languages available to me are Japanese & French .. ??
@@GreenTea3699 oh no...
I’m glad it worked for you. Unfortunately I’m having to chat with UA-cam Support to try and figure out why some are having this issue still
I agree
@@Desert.Drifter bummer and how so very weird!
Man I felt your pain having to get back to your car. Since that hike was so hard to get there. Brutal....
And Happy Thanksgiving
Thanks Andrew and congratulations on your first year anniversary. I've been watching your channel for around that long and have enjoyed every single video you have put out - even if I have to look the other way when you climb onto high places. You give so many people such pleasure including me - in the end it's the simple things that have the most impact; beautiful/stunning scenery, nature and history along with your empathetic desciptions and explanations. Thank you both - I'm sure Evelyn is working in the background to help these things happen :) Looking forward to the second year!
Congrats, Desert!, on a terrific year. Great anniversary pic-essay!