STAGGERED! CAPITOL REEF KNOCKS ME OUT – TORREY, UTAH
It is almost impossible to show, in a photo, the immensity and grandeur of the rocks, canyons, cliffs, gorges, spires and domes in this national park. It is indescribably fabulous, rivaling Arches National Park as my favorite of the “desert rock” national parks.
On our hike yesterday, I asked Odel to walk ahead in Grand Wash, then turn and wave at me to provide scale to the canyon walls. Can you see him here?? (Click on the photo to enlarge it.)
Look inside the black triangle, twice as tall as Odel (and he just reminded me that you will want to know he is 6’1”, to provide accurate scale).
In our first 36 hours, we’ve driven the Scenic Drive (a total understatement), hiked the Grand Wash and - with Kate and Terry (Travels in Cholula Red), full-timers in a Lazy Daze who are here next to us in Wonderland RV Park (click here to read our review) – eaten at “southern Utah’s best restaurant”, Cafe Diablo.
For those who asked for the recipe for German Potato Salad cooked in the crockpot, I’ll add it to the blog when I have a chance. But now, gotta’ run – we’re off to hike among the golden aspen today.
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We spent a couple weeks in Southern Utah a dozen years ago on a vacation. We camped in the back of a van with a tent extension. That pre-retirement trip was our first nudge toward our current life as full-timers. We went to Arches, Bryce, Zion and the Grand Canyon, but drove right by Capitol Reef. We can't wait to get back to that area without the time constraints. Thanks for great picture.
ReplyDeleteI would venture to say, Laurie, that once you have experienced the hidden reaches of this park, the entire 100 mile length of it, once you have seen Cathedral Valley and the Burr Trail and the Waterpocket Fold, then Arches will no longer be your favorite.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are always taking us to places we've never heard of!! Keep up the good work, as we really enjoy your explorations!
ReplyDeleteRod
Did you happen to notice that in the photo with Odel, over his right shoulder way up high, he appears to have a friend looking down upon him? I see a head; face and shoulders! Does anyone else?
ReplyDeleteoh WOW.
ReplyDeleteUtah has always been one of my favorite States because of it's fabulous scenery. Would love to spend a whole lot of time some day in the area you are now. Have only been to Arches & then south to Arizona's Monument Valley. There is just soooooo much to see & do in Utah if a person has the time to do it.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had Odel pose, because I never would have dreamed those rocks were that huge. Wow! Sounds like you've been having a great time. I can't wait till our house sells and we can see some of those sites!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed Capitol Reef - seems like we hear more about Zion, Bryce and Canyonlands (our least favorite). Capitol Reef is so amazing. All the parks are so different. Odel should looks tiny in that photo!
ReplyDeleteMeowmomma, I forgot to mention the "friend" you saw in the photo - which is why I took the photo in that particular spot. As we walked down the wash, that "head" looked sort of frightening, like it could just roll right off the shoulders and smack the bottom of the wash. Odel was brave to pose there for me!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic area! Thanks for the scale photo too. Am waiting for the recipe, as that is something I would love to make in a crockpot!
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Steve and Karen
(Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/
Nature's grandeur does make us seem small sometimes doesn't it? What a great shot to give perspective. Capitol Reef is one of the few parks we didn't make it to when we were living in Utah! We will have to put it high on our full-timing list.
ReplyDeleteOh Laurie...don't be afraid! I see a head nodding in blessing. I even see hands tucked into the pockets of a robe!
ReplyDeleteMeowmomma: yeah, looks much more benign in the photo than in "real life". :) Don't worry, we always feel the good spirits around us when we're hiking.
ReplyDeleteWhat a magnificent place. Looking forward to more of your photos. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on recognizing the splendicity of this wonderful park. Most people just drive through and say "That was nice." There is soooo much to see here!
ReplyDeleteI KNEW you'd love Capitol Reef! We thought it was OUTSTANDING!
ReplyDeleteHow'd you get the triangle around Odel?
ReplyDeleteI-D-T: I use Picasa for photo editing, and they don't include a good way to draw lines, circles, arrows, etc. The work around? Use the "text" features, and change the font to Wing Dings. That particular font has lots of little symbols. You have to experiment to find which computer key corresponds to the symbol you want, but then you can resize and manipulate it as needed. Kind of a pain, but it was a "must do" for that particular photo!
ReplyDeleteAh-ha! Thanx for the tip. Looks like you guys got washed out (kinda-sorta) at Capitol Reef - can't quite imagine that kind of flood water, as it was mucho dry when we were there. We're headed into Nevada, toward Ely, and then on Hwy 50 - "the most lonesome road" in the US. Oh boy, can't wait! You going to Arizona?
ReplyDeleteI-D-T: When we leave Moab on Thursday, we too are heading across Hwy 50, towards Sacramento - where we will stay through the month of November.
ReplyDeleteI searched for your email address on your blog, but couldn't find it. Will we be traveling 50 at the same time? If you click on our profile, you will find our email address. Drop us a line if it seems likely we could actually meet in person! :)
Safe travels,
Laurie