Following the Ancient Signs: A Pilgrimage Through the Colorado Desert

There are moments on the open road, far from the county line, when you feel like you’ve stumbled into a conversation that spans millennia. Last week, the Rogue Adventurers community embarked on a deep dive into the history etched into the red rock landscapes of Cortez. It was more than just a great day of overlanding; it was a pilgrimage back through time.

The footage captures the thrill of navigating remote roads, the sheer scale of the National Parks, and the incredible discoveries waiting among the ruins. But what truly captured the imagination—and the spirit—were the petroglyphs and pictographs. These ancient markings, carved and painted by hands long gone, are tangible whispers of those who came before us, reminding us that the stories of humanity, and the signs of the times, are always unfolding.

The Journey, The Signs, and The Gathering

The process of finding these sites is itself an act of adventure. It requires route-finding skills, the patience of a BLM dispersed camping trip, and a willingness to look closely at the ground beneath your tires. As the source video shows, the excitement builds with every turn, every sighting, and every discovery—from the initial ruins to the distinct, almost haunting image of the 'Mantis' glyph.

For us, the Rogue Adventurers, this sense of discovery isn't just academic; it feels profound. These ancient signs—the petroglyphs and pictographs—become markers, much like the painted rocks we leave at every trailhead and overlook. They are stones of remembrance, little gifts left to uplift the next traveler, the next seeker, the next soul who might be on a similar road to a Holy Place.

From Ancient Glyphs to the Advent

It’s amazing how the patterns we find in these ancient rocks—the careful artistry, the repeated motifs—echo the patterns we are seeing today. When the creators noted the uncanny similarity between the 'Mantis' glyph they found and the scientific papers they were researching, it wasn't just a coincidence. It was a convergence. It felt like a cosmic echo, a reminder that the story is cyclical, and that the journey of faith, like the journey across the desert, is full of signs.

The road itself becomes a classroom. Every full turn, every challenging one-lane road, every dusty mile marker is a lesson in dependence, preparation, and trust in the journey. We are learning to read the signs, both on the map and in the spirit.

This is why the Rogue Adventurers ethos is so perfect for this kind of field trip-at-scale. We aren't just camping; we are actively collecting wisdom. We are connecting the physical adventure—the 4-wheeling, the camping, the hiking—with the spiritual discipline of anticipating what is to come. Whether we are researching ancient glyphs in Cortez or planning our next Skoolie journey through the backcountry, we are always looking for the next gathering point, the next place where believers will meet and testify.

When we leave a decorated Currency Kids bill at a local Proof Breads bakery or a gift shop in town, we aren't just spending money; we are leaving a small, traveling testament, a quiet gospel tract that accompanies the traveler. Every CRockyGo left at a rest stop is a whispered prayer, a stone of hope for the stranger who follows.

Keep the Adventure Going

The beauty of the Rogue Adventurers life is that the field trip never ends. The petroglyph tour was incredible, but the planning for the next gathering—whether it’s a local rock climbing meet-up or a full-time RV journey to a different National Park—is already underway. We are building a network of Holy Places, one dusty mile marker at a time.

What’s the next adventure calling us to? Do you have a local historical site that deserves to be a Holy Place? Are you planning a big field trip-at-scale for your homeschool co-op? We want to hear about it. Find the next meet-up, list a field trip in your area, or claim a creator profile and share your own journey with us. The road is calling, and the signs are pointing us home.