Adventure 516: Snow Canyon State Park/Post C

A nice impression.

Gratefully, another restful night. We woke to a cool day, he blue sky sprinkled with soft, puffy clouds that made me think of how it must have been for the Impressionists in Paris sipping coffee and enjoying rich chocolate puff pastries in cafes along every rue. We had no pastries, but Judy did fix a wonderful pancake breakfast, after which I skinned her to take a 4-2 lead in the Snow Canyon series. Not to worry, Cager fans, she has two whole days to recover. After breakfast we hiked the West Canyon Road the full eight miles. The sky, still soft with puffy clouds, followed us up the box canyon toward the white mountains at the end. This park, once known as Dixie State Park, was named after a benefactor named snow. Originally, it was inhabitated by the Anazi's and later by the Pauite's. Sometime around 1850, Mormon ranchers looking for lost cattle discovered the canyon. Today, it's a popular destination for day hikers, bikers, campers, climbers, backpackers, and the like. As we've come to expect in Utah, the park is exquisitely maintained and expertly managed. Other states in the Union should take lessons. Tomorrow will be a bike riding day, weather permitting. Another cold front could come in, which would then find Judy and I snuggled in Frac watching episodes of Heartland. It's really hard to get any better, and life is truly good, especially today.

 The desert is beginning its spring bloom.

 My and my Bunny.

 The Bunny is in there somewhere.

 The West Canyon Road ends up there somewhere.

 Easy walking.

 Judy, enjoying a peanut butter and huck/rasberry sandwich at the turn around spot on our hike.

Rainbow shadow.

Adventure 515: Snow Canyon State Park/Post B

The journey is everything. 

The rain rattled off the roof like unwanted thoughts for most of the night. Fortunately, the cool air hovered over us, making our sleep restful. It continued to rain until nearly eleven, so we played two games instead of our normal one. Series tied 1-1. When the sun peeked through around eleven we donned our riding gear and made our way the eight miles to our favorite eating establishment in St. George: Kneader's Bakery and Cafe. Most of the ride was on a wide paved trail. Only the last mile or so was on Bluff Road. But it was worth it. Our club sandwich on country French bread was a sloppy, sensual treat. We also bought a oatmeal raisin cookie and a loaf of hazel nut bread for the road. The ride back, uphill, was pleasant, especially considering the fact that we just missed a sudden squall that dumped a heavy dose of cold rain onto the park. Now, late in the afternoon, it's partly cloudy, cool, with a gentle breeze puffing the soft green sage brush which dots the roadside around here. Purple flowers are beginning to bloom along with a smidgen of red, a little yellow blossom, and of course, the ubiquitous pale green of the sage brush. We see an occasional lizard scurry in the red clay; we hear the call of an occasional bird, but we've seen no rabbits nor any other wildlife today. But once again, we're grateful to be alive, happy to be here, and delighted that life is good, especially today.

 Mopping wet this morning.

 Excellent establishment.

 Club sandwich made with real turkey and real baked ham, all smothered in mayo and mustard, sweet red onion, and leaf lettuce. Yummy.

 If here hands are moving, she's planning her next cagey move.

 Sure, honey, it's all down hill from here.

 These two bronze beauties guard the entrance to the park.

 Just another Utah spectacular.

 This guy was so impressed, he got petrified.

Maybe the most scenic campsite in the park: a first come, first serve tent site.

Adventure 514: Snow Canyon State Park/Post A

Every direction affords a view like this.

Never was there a tale of more woe than that of the "Cager" and her Romeo. I felt like a Portland Trailblazer when Judy blasted by me, scoring dozolito after dozolito while I pecked away with fifteen twos. Bottom line: The Cager won the Valley of Fire  cribbage open. If the sign hadn't said, "Don't climb the rocks", I most surely would have jumped from sheer despair. After breakfast, we made the short 85 mile hop to St. George where we bought out the local Smiths in order to supply ourselves for our four night visit here. This place is simply awesome. Good hiking, good biking, clean air, and as much wonder as a person can muster. We did have a little angst caused by the microwave coming loose from its moorings on the way here, but nothing a few French adjectives and a Phillip's screwdriver couldn't fix. We then proceeded to walk about a bit to get our bearings, although its quite windy today, so we walked just 4.5 miles. We'll see what tomorrow brings. In the meantime, we're glad to be here, happy to be alive, and grateful that life is good, especially today. Let the Snow Canyon open begin!!!

 The view from our picnic table.

 There will be hiking.

 Look at that grin. I almost made her walk from Nevada.

 We'll explore the petrified sand dunes.

 Trail markers will lead the way.

 We saw this bunny and two nearly invisible lizards.

 There will be biking. Remember, if it's mostly downhill, then it's partly up hill.

Frac, happily tucked into site #11.

Adventure 513: Valley of Fire State Park/Post B

She's a Wiley Cager.

I suppose some of you have been wondering the status of the "Wiley Cager". Well, let me tell you, she claims to not even know how to cheat, but just this morning after two straight wins here, she deftly tried to pull a card from the crib to play the regular hand. Talk about cagey. I saw her hands moving side to side so fast, they looked like the shimmy of a belly dancer. It worked too. My eyes were so smothered with laughing tears, I couldn't see. I think it's safe to say to say, she's managed to learn a few misleading moves. I think she even has orange hair! What a way to start the day. We awoke to a spectacular morning, enjoyed a wonderful breakfast, and even though I had to suffer a few losses at the crib board, life is still good. After breakfast, we drove to the White Dome trail head and made the forty-five minute loop, after which we hiked the Fire Wave. This place is amazing, if only for the sheer oddness of it. All around the area the terrain is desert drab, but here in the valley, the red rocks do indeed rise up like flames. I can understand why this place held so much mysticism for the natives. Come if you can. In the meantime, I'll keep my eye on the "Cager". Needless to say, life is good, especially today.

 The White Dome hike, while short, is quite rugged.

 Poser!

 Trails are clearly marked. It would be a bad idea to become lost out here.

 This part of the desert is just beginning to bloom.

 Film Noir.

 What you looking at?

 Soon, these bushes will all bloom purple.

 The Fire Wave.

 I couldn't convince Judy this road was flat enough to ride.

These sandstone cabins were built by the CCC crews in 1935. They're maintained as a remembrance.

Adventure 512: Valley of Fire State Park/Post A

Frac, camping again.

After a nice night in North Las Vegas, which included cheering for the Warriors, a decadent trip to the local In-N-Out, and a pleasant night's sleep, we awoke to the azure blue sky of Sin City, home of strippers, slots, and gilded sagebrush. We shopped at a local Smith's for supplies and ventured off to Sunrise RV and Boat storage to rescue Frac. He almost flipped himself when he saw us. The rescue went flawlessly, and we were off in no time flat for the short forty minute drive to the Valley of Fire. We got there in no way early, as we snagged one of the last first come, first serve full service sites. Our view is spectacular. We're very happy to be here. Mostly, we lounged the rest of the day, although I did walk about a bit to look at the rocks, and in the early afternoon, Judy and I took a brief look at the visitor's center on a quick seven mile tandem ride, half of which was down hill. We can feel the weight of whatever angst we've been carrying falling away. It's warm, unseasonably cool, and just naturally wonderful. Life is good, especially today.

 Morning dip, anyone.

 Frac, nestled tightly, but safe, unharmed, and ready to go.

 Gone, Frac.

 We're camped in Atatl Campground. The rocks are adorned with Indian petroglyphs.

 I'm sure this is a tale of some significance, if I could only read the signs.

 Arch rock.

 Half down hill selfie. The uphill one held no smile.

 Of course, we found a local Taco truck for lunch.

 The view from our front window.

My bunny, fairy twinkle and all.

Adventure 511: Rescuing Frac

1042 miles later, we're safely ensconced in a Hampton Inn in North Las Vegas. Last night we spent a wonderful evening in Twin Falls at Tom and Patty Losser's home. They treated us like royalty, fed us like fattened calves, and otherwise treated us like idols. We also got to see Lois and Sarah Hooley. It's springtime on the farm, so the days are long, the work endless, and the rewards far from sight. The bottom line is Andy, Gary, and Lisa were knee deep in their chores, so regretfully, we didn't get to see them. Our drive both days was uneventful. Hopefully, when we rescue Frac tomorrow, that also will be uneventful and our next adventure will begin. We're calling it the 3R's Tour: Rescue, Restore, Refocus. Stay tuned.

Patty treated us to a fluffy Dutch Baby this morning smothered with home grown peaches and huckleberry syrup.

 We enjoyed all types of weather, including this awesome cloud bank: dark gray edged in white, bordering a bright blue yonder.

 Loey did take the time to show us the fruits of her greenhouse.

 The two gardeners, just itching to get their hands dirty.

Climbing out of Ely, we were met with a fast moving blizzard and water rippling winds. Although the snow shower was brief, the strong winds stayed with us all the way to Vegas.

And, of course, what happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas, including the sins inside an In-N-Out.