Digging a Grave

I never know what I will come across while walking through the desert.

 Most likely these are the final resting places for someone’s beloved pet,

although would a dog or cat be named Tim Dolan?  Maybe.

Or perhaps it is a memorial?

Now here is a grave ready for a body.

No place better to dispose of a body than in the desert.

This one got me to thinking.  How long does it take to dig a grave?  I looked it up for you.  I found it to be on the average six hours in “optimum soil”.  Optimum soil?  Is there such a thing?  Certainly not when having to dig a grave.  Ever dig a hole to plant a rose bush or small tree?  That is hard work, and “optimum soil” is a rare commodity.  The article said in frozen ground or dense clay it could take up to two or three days to dig a grave.  If I had to work that hard for that long a second grave would be needed.  Sorry, if we are in the wild and you die, you’re staying right where you are.  

And I wouldn’t expect you to put out that much effort on me either.  I’m dead.  

Just leave me there and get on with the journey.

Personally I like how some Native Americans, particularly the plains Indians performed sky burials by placing the deceased upon an elevated scaffold.  They believed the soul of the departed lingered in the air and watched over the tribe.  Probably the fact of digging a grave was too much work played into their beliefs also.