Tuesday May 1
The first good news of the day is that we caught the mouse! Got up early to try to get a camp site in the Forest Service system outside of town. We were successful, right on the Colorado River, which is brown and sluggish here above the Glen Canyon dam, which is about 175 miles down stream. Ed knows all the tricks.Relaxing day ahead, clean our little camper, sort laundry, get groceries for next three nights, steak,shrimp and pork. Had lunch in town. Ed picked out three lovely outfits for me. Too full for dinner, read awhile and turned in.
Wednesday
Up early, off to Arches National Park. Coffee (Via), and cereal before we headed up Devil’s Garden Trail. This about a six mile hike viewing multiple natural arches, Landscape, Navajo, Double O, and Partition. All spectacular. Ed has been here 5 times and still loves this part of Utah. Had to get out of my comfort zone twice in terms of exposure on trail, to see the Double O arches but it was worth it. I think that Navajo was my favorite, it protected a large roomy area that you just know Indian women and children played and prepared food in. Very magical. We heard a group of young women say,"let’s skip the last two arches, we can Google them"! We are seeing lots of nationalities visiting the Park. It is surprisingly busy. I have always found that people who camp, hike and love the outdoors are so pleasant. I have never seen so many motorhomes! I have counted over 30 different names, each inspiring adventure and peace. The Baby Boomers are bursting out of their 9-5 routines! This town could not have too many campgrounds or motels. Back to the hike, our timing was perfect,as our lives together are. Just as we got off the trail it started to rain. We drove to a WMCA type facility and showered. Sun was back. At the camp site,we sat by the river with a beer, started the charcoal for steaks and baked potatoes. Now it started to rain in earnest with significant sleet. We suddenly had a waterfall across the river that lasted for about 30 minutes! This is a crazy land. Through it all the camper was warm and snug.
Thursday
Up early, off to pick up our Jeep Rubicon to drive the 100 miles of the White Rim Road, or some may call it the White Knuckle Road!
I know I am in for an adventure, Ed took my sister, Grace, on it and she said, "Ed is a very good driver but I would never do it again"! So, as our river guide JP would say, " Hang on tight and have a good day!.......I have never gone for a car ride and got beat up! We feel as though we have been processed on high in a blender and rolled through an old fashion ringer washing machine! I think the passenger gets more jostled. But it was spectacular! We only went in halfway, we split the driving time. It was really fun. Lots of bikers, motorcycles and jeeps. Toward the end, Ed was very patient to stop at each new wild flower I saw to get a picture. One gets so overwhelmed by the massive red formations dominating the landscape it takes awhile to notice the small formations struggling to survive. There were pots in the rocks and puddles filled with water, I suspect this is a rare occurrence . It was great to have the road, and I use that term lightly, damp and not dusty. It turned out to be a beautiful evening, nicest yet. Reading and writing by fire, fixing shrimp and linguine, salad, canned peaches and pecan sandies, a favorite from my childhood, for our evening meal. Amazingly, there have been almost no bugs this whole trip. Ed is reading, the Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel and I am reading, Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande, a well known physician writer.
Friday
Leisurely morning, coffee, Ed reading, me composing the blog. Breakfast of eggs and sausage. Will go to Dead Horse Point State Park for a short hike and plan to be at Delicate Arch as the sun sets to end our trip. Pork ( fixed last night)and apple sauce and a Big Bad Baptist, a Imperial Stout we have been saving for our last night. We plan to head home early tomorrow morning . Will probably drive straight through. It has been grand.
Landscape Arch
Partition Arch
Nap time?
On the way to Double O Arch
Double O Arch
Crazy weather
30 minute waterfall
From somewhere on the White Rim Road
Susan driving the Jeep
Dinner at camp
