South West 2017

Today we're going to the end of the road and walk down thru the canyon to investigate the Petroglyphs and Pioneer signatures. Just think that two peoples at least 700 years apart leaving their mark on the trail. Trailhead  Inside the Canyon. Maybe the Sun Sign Maybe an Elk Mormon founders names at he exit of the canyon. About 2 hundred feet in the air. Joanne in the canyon. Can you image the water rushing thru there carving out that turn. Taken a rest on the way to the "Tanks" This is one of the Tanks that preserves life during the dry season. Feeder that fills the Tanks down stream. At the entrance to the canyon pioneers left their name to let the families know they can this way and were alive. Bighorn Sheep Family following Dad up the wall. Look at Mom go. Go Mom! What grip. And the move along safe and sound. Echo wall. Stood there for 5 minutes calling out and it wou...

One of the things about wild animals is you have to be lucky to be there and get some of the shots that we've all dreamed of. I was very luck to have this opportunity. I saw this beautiful Buck Mule deer eating. Along came this guy. He was on a mission. Their confrontation lasted maybe 10 seconds. Maybe they were just sizing each other for a latter more meaningful meeting. They disengaged and the second deer walked on.

Capital Reef has a well preserved set of panels of Petroglyph's. After seeing these in person I wonder whether they had some celestial help.

We've been up and down a few of these Canyons now but no where have we been able to get up close and personal with them as we will at Capital Reef. They put me in the "rock" stock. OMG The road runs thru this valley. You thought I was kidding. Joanne and the car being towered over by the massive walls. Symmetrical layers of stone.

We woke up to rain. First time in a long time.  We're glad it isn't snow and hope it isn't snowing in the mountains over near Capital Reef. We have one summit along the way that's 9,600 feet so it might be snowing up there.  Still raining up on the Hog Back but a little road work. In PA you worry about deer. In Utah you worry about "Open Range" cattle. Take it easy partner.

Everyone knows I have a passion for wild life photography. So my camera is never to far away. We on the way to dinner leaving the campground what to you think we saw. 4 yes 4 Buck Mule deer.  Look at the racks on these guys. They're friends now but give it a few weeks and only 1 will be the alpha.

Yesterday really took the salt out of us. 4.5 miles and a elevation change of almost 700 feet. OMG Still determined we got up early and did some laundry. I know you all be wondering when we work. Then we set off to finish the Rim Trail. No we're not walking down onto the canyon. The valley of the youngest Hoodoo's. Another Arch with Hoodoo's in the background. Joanne at a natural overlook. 2 more steps back and disaster. Look at the symmetry of the erosion. Hoodoo's as far as the eye can see. This view was mesmerizing. Joanne at the last overlook. We'll travel towards those mountains in the background tomorrow.