arroyo
a feature of dry landscapes, in which the flow of water creates steep banks leading down to a river
buckling
bending or curving, often under pressure
consciousness
awareness or alertness
corporal
a rank of non-commissioned officer in the army
forbid
to ban
hollow
empty or vacant; without content or emotion
immemorial
from a long time ago
iridescent
giving off vivid light that shifts in color as the observer shifts perspective
juniper
a shrub-like plant that bears cones, which can be used for multiple purposes (from creating medicines to lending botanical flavor to gin)
lariat
a lasso rope
mesa
a feature of the landscape that resembles a small plateau: flat at the top, with vertical or at least steep sides
paraphernalia
various items or instruments; things or possessions that may seem either useless or excessive in number
pelt (noun)
an animal skin, often with the animal's fur still intact
ponderosa
a type of pine that is fairly widespread in North America
ramble
to speak in a longwinded and seemingly aimless manner; to walk in a roundabout way
scatter
to disperse in various directions
sinews
that part of something that gives it strength
smallpox
a disease that was infamous for decimating Native American populations but that has been eliminated in recent decades; attacks the skin to create dots or "pox" as a main symptom
tamaric
a type of desert vegetation or shrub
whittle
to use small nicks or cuts to gradually carve a substance (normally wood) into a specific shape
