Buckskin Gulch is known as “The Longest Slot Canyon in the World!” (Allegedly.) Yes, I have fallen prey to “destination marketing” once again. But it’s not just about “the longest, the tallest, the most dangerous.” No, you see I am a sucker for a slot canyon of any length. In fact, it’s my absolute favorite place to hike. I can never seem to get enough Continue reading
As I continue on across the southern part of Utah, I am getting ever closer to Kanab, present home of one of my favorite bloggers, Gaelyn, better known as “Geogypsy.” I began following Gaelyn’s blog during one of her visits to South Africa. We corresponded this past spring as I was making my plans to visit the Grand Canyon North Rim. She was very helpful in giving me some advice for my lofty goal to hike the “Rim to Rim.” Unfortunately, life took a different turn Continue reading
I have always had a strong fascination with the Native American culture. My first cross-country road trip was at four years old when Dad bought the new Chevy Impala with the bat-wing fins on the back, loaded up the family and took of to explore Route 66. I spent most of the trip glued to the window looking for teepees or “Indians” on horseback on the horizon. One of my earliest childhood memories was stopping along the roadside at an “Indian Village” to watch as they performed a ceremonial dance wearing fringed, beaded leather buckskin clothing and elaborate feather headdresses. I was mesmerized. Continue reading
What’s in my bucket these days is rain. Lots and lots of rain. No, make that flash floods. I feel as if I have hopscotched the State of Utah for an entire month, chasing favorable weather. From the scorching heat of the Green River and Moab, to the flash flood warnings in Cedar Mesa, Utah has not been easy this year. Continue reading
It has finally come time to leave Canyon Rim boondock. The wagon train is hitching up and heading south to hide out in a pine forest until the storm blows over. In this case, the “storm” being the storm of school students that descend upon Utah like locusts for a four day weekend every October. It’s UEA Weekend coming up, the Utah Education and Administration conference held on Thursday and Friday, giving the kids a four day weekend from school. We learned this the hard way last year, as we found ourselves trapped in Little Wild Horse slot canyon with about 200 “little wild horses” of the two legged variety. So plans are firmly in place to avoid a repeat this year.
But I am having a tough time leaving the canyon, especially Continue reading
In recognition of my birthday last week, I got to pick the hike….a lot of pressure, as this is a no-win proposition with this tough crowd! Over 80 degrees, and the Coloradans will start to melt. Under 70, and I lose the Floridians. Under three miles? Not worth getting dressed for in my opinion. Over seven, and I eliminate participants due to pets at home. Continue reading
Moab was a mob scene. Overrun with rental RVs and foreign dialects who appear to struggle with our frustrating systems even more than I do, like the annoying recorded voice at the self-checkout line announcing “Unexpected item in the bagging area.” Everywhere I went, there were crowds of tourists attempting to cross off two out of five of Utah’s “Big Five National Parks” in one town. I had to wait in line for everything from grocery shopping to pedestrian stopping. Yet I couldn’t leave. I was a held captive by a rig full of exploding gear. Continue reading
I struggle to put into words objectively my impressions from nine days on the river, which is why I thought it best to let the photos “speak for themselves” in the form of photo album posts. After nine days away from civilization, it may take me some time for my hindsight focus to adapt from what became a bit of “perceptual narrowing.” Continue reading
“I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day–blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.” ~Wendell Berry
“For myself I choose to listen to the river for a while, thinking river thoughts, before joining the night and the stars.” ~ Edward Abbey