Author: Barb

May 10, 2018

Bryce Canyon ranges in elevation from 9100′ at Rainbow Point to 6,600 at the canyons bottom. Water is the major force shaping the landscape here. Wind has had little affect if any. Weathering occurs when rain, snow and ice break rock into smaller pieces. Erosion occurs when running water washes away weathered rock. These forms are called hoodoos.

On about 200 days a year the temperatures drop below freezing at night. During these freeze/thaw cycles water seeps into the cracks in the rocks, expands as it freezes, and breaks apart the rock.

Limestone in its pure state is basically white in color. Small amounts of iron deposited with the limestone have oxidized or rusted to create yellows, browns, oranges and reds.

As we hiked the rim talked of coming back as the views were breathtaking.

This reminds me of the Terracotta Warriors from Xi’an China.

Rainbow Point

Natural Bridge

Spent 2 nights on BLM land.

May 8, 2018

Deciding to do scenic routes we headed north out of the monument on Hwy 95, West on 24 through Capital Reef National Park and stopped in Fruita at the historic Gifford House for pie. Orchards are plentiful here and the pies are fantastic. Again petroglyphs along 24 on the rock walls.

From here we headed south on Scenic Hwy 12 to Boulder, Utah, population 180. A park ranger suggested we go to Hell’s Backbone Bar & Grill. Frequented by people around the world this proved to be a wonderful meal.

Pulled off on National Forest land for another great night of slumber before heading down to Kodachrome Basin State Park. This park is a spectacle of towering sandstone chimneys, changing in color with the days mood. The color and contrast against the blue sky prompted National Geographic in 1949, with consent from Kodak Film Corp, to name the park Kodachrome.

I know – “Momma don’t take my Kodachrome away”

Then a short hike to Shakespeare’s Arch and more views of its surrounding.

Always intrigued by rock faces. See the gnome?

Night 2 – BLM Land

April 7, 2018

In 1883 prospector Cass Hite wandered up White Canyon along the Colorado River looking for gold. He found instead 3 incredible bridges water had sculpted out of stone. In 1904 National Geographic publicized the bridges; in 1908 Teddy Roosevelt proclaimed Natural Bridges a Monument, creating Utah’s first National Park System area. This area is super cool!

We hiked first to Sipapu, the second oldest bridge. Height 220′ Span 268′ Width 31′ Thickness 53′.

You can see one of the ladders we climbed in the background.

Kachina Bridge – 93′ Thick – newest bridge

Owachomo Bridge – oldest – Height 106′ Span 180′ Width 27′ Thickness 9′ – the Bridge may now have a fatal crack, or may stand for centuries.

Horsecollar Ruins – 1050 to 1300 – unusual because both round and square kivas are present indicating different influences.

And for all you political aficionados this is the “Bears Ears” National Monument.

1st nights stay was on an abandoned air strip – cost 0

2nd night was at the campground in The Monument – cost 7$

May 6, 2018

Okay, Moki Dugway is the name of the switchbacks on Highway 261 just north of Mexican Hat, Utah. I give it its own headline because it scared the hell out of me and I feel grateful to have made its crossing. A ranger mentioned that we should go to Muley Point for its spectacular views. The views were indeed spectacular but he didn’t tell us that the switchbacks getting there were insane. We are in an RV so when we approached the sign saying 5 mph switchbacks, 10% grades, max weight 10,000 lbs, RV’s not recommended Arnie and I looked at each other and again at the sign. We were at max recommended weight but felt confident the Mercedes diesel could handle the steep grades. Away we went reaching the point of no return. Attempting to turn around or backing down was impossible. We stayed in 1st and 2nd gear and just kept moving steadily toward the sky. You will have to google Moki Dugway or look at a YouTube video because there are no pictures taken by me. I can still hear Arnie yelling take a video and all I could do was sit, white knuckled in my seat and pray.

Taken from Muley Point – I refused to take another step closer as the sheer cliff walls were calling and I’m not the best with heights.

Back on solid earth spent the night on an abandoned air strip – cost 0

Restless night with dreams of falling. DUH!

May 4, 2018

We are in the middle of nowhere just south of the Utah border.

A beautiful spot so decided to hang for a couple of days. We spent our days hiking into the canyon and viewing cave dwellings.

This is a historic contact station built in 1939. Obviously restored but served as a visitor station until 1965.

You rarely see these old style Hogans today. Its chief structural support is 3 poles with their forked ends interlocked at the top. Navajo tradition dictates that curing ceremonies can’t be held anywhere else.

2 nights in the Monument – Cost 0

May 3, 2018

A slot canyon is a narrow canyon, formed by the wear of water rushing through rock. A slot canyon is significantly deeper than it is wide and are often formed in sandstone or limestone. We are in Antelope Canyon, a sandstone Canyon. There really is nothing to say as the pictures do the talking. It was a spectacular tour.

By far my favorite shot – the heart

This is called the mummy

This is called the dragon eye

This is named Arizona Sunset

We finished the evening at State 48 Tavern and spent the night in the Walmart parking lot. Cost – 0. Another perfect day. 😜

May 2, 2018

Glen Canyon Dam is 710‘ tall and built from 4.9 million cubic yards of concrete. 300′ thick at its base, it narrows to 25 feet thick at the top. Both on the Colorado River, Hoover Dam is 16′ taller but used less concrete to build.

The first stage was building the bridge overhead. Then they drilled diversion tunnels on both sides to divert the river. In 1963, the diversion tunnels were screwed shut causing the waters of the Colorado River to back up 186 miles forming Lake Powell. It was Lady Bird Johnson who dedicated this dam. It took thousands of workers to build this project and this is how Page, Arizona was born. Today, this is a town of just over 7,000 people yet is visited by millions each year.

We traveled a total of 64 floors into the bowels of the dam.

1000 gallons a minutes seeps through the dam and is pumped back into the Colorado. You can see the drainage ditch along the wall.

This dam provides electricity to parts of Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

Mary Lee, this dam provides electricity to Duckwater Shoshone Tribe.

Although the dam tour was interesting I understand the impact it has on the environment and man’s interference with nature.

April 27, 2018

Our first evening Don and Gina took us to Cathedral Rock, a famous landmark in Sedona. Amazing the transformation in just a few minutes. This is a magical place and known for its vortex.

I’m sure it was the company too but I found it ALL here – beauty, peace, laughter and love.

Our hike to “muffin top”.

I only freaked once.

They took us on an incredible ride up Schnebly Road and hiked up to some great views.

This formation is known as the merry go round

The Gathering

Look to the right and you see Snoopy lying on his back with Woodstock on his nose.

See the bat?

Perfect ending to a great day.

Next was a hike to Shamans Cave.

again I only freaked once.

Our last night with Don and Gina was spent hiking Bell Rock, another infamous formation.

View from Bell. Notice the mermaid lying on her side.

Thank you to Don and Gina for the warm welcome, the amazing hikes and tours of Sedona, the gallery, the food, the laughter and games. Gina, your strength and courage are inspiring. Don, your friendship will always be treasured.

April 25, 2018

Once a part of the supercontinent Pangea this area was located near the equator in the late Triassic period. As the continents broke apart and moved to their modern location the climate changed. They believe volcanic eruptions toppled the conifers. Then swept away by waterways and covered with volcanic ash and sediment, these trees became entombed and over millions of years became petrified.

Through gradual erosion, gigantic logs and remnant pieces became exposed for us to experience.

The next pictures are of Blue Mesa – named after the bluish-gray mounds of clay the logs rest in.

You can see why they call this the painted desert.

More petroglyphs.

We left the petrified forest and spent the night in Tonto National Forest just outside Show Low, AZ

April 24, 2018

This morning our journey started with a hike in El Malpais through lava fields and up to Bandera Crater. The lava field shown here is composed of jagged, broken lava produced when the surface cools and hardens while underlying lava is still in motion.

This formation is a spatter come. It is formed when minor vents form in the molten lava. A surge of hot air rushes through the lava forming surface tubes. When air breaks through the surface, lava will splash out forming a type of blow hole.

Bandera crater erupted 10,000 years ago and is 1400′ wide and 800′ deep. The elevation at the rim 8,367′.

I found many trees that had been struck by lightening and later read that the lava flow is rich in iron which tends to draw these strikes.

Trees growing in lava have difficulties establishing deep roots and many grow gnarled and twisted.

We hiked out of the crater and down to the “ice cave”. The temperature in the cave never gets above 31 degrees. The floor of the ice is 20′ thick. The cause of the original formation of ice 3,400 yrs ago is not certain. The perpetuation of the ice is due to a well insulated cave shaped to trap frigid air. This was known to the Pueblo Indians as the winter lake.

Drove to El Moro in time for a nice sunset.

April 25, 2018

This hike to El Moro proved to have some of the best views so far.

Sometimes lost, would find a rock stack to remind us we’re not.

Views from the top.

On the way down there were countless inscriptions and petroglyphs carved into the rock.

Looking back.