Great Basin National Park: We hiked to the last glacier in Nevada at Wheeler Peak.We enjoyed the ancient Bristlecone Pine forest on the way – marveling at the longevity of these old trees. Do you know the Prometheus story?These trees are so special and we are so fortunate to have the oldest trees on earth here in the southwest.So sculptural with all the forces of nature.We were lucky to be here for the 10th annual astronomy event so we enjoyed star gazing and lectures. This is also the most fall color we saw as we documented 31,000 miles on the van.Our departure morning as there is a winter storm approaching. We will miss the snow heading a bit farther south – but not the winds.The White River Narrows Archaeological District of Basin and Range national Monument, created in 2015. An amazing amount of petroglyphs.We dispersed on BLM land just off the road here so we could hike to all the archeology sites. Can you spot the Travato in the Basin?Most petroglyphs are carved in boulders. They are actually a bit difficult to spot. There are no marked trails but we enjoyed just hiking around and contemplating history.Some of these sheep are life sized!Rock art by desert archaic people.Mount Irish area rock art includes a distinctive anthropomorphic image called Pahranagat Man.Or is that Pahmranagat Woman?
Bears Ears National Monument:. Our first night of planned 6 weeks of travel visiting many places we had last visited in 2009.We had enjoyed this area many other times but not actually camped and hiked at the summit of the ears.We hiked around the summit area. Link to vicinity pictures in fall of 2016Natural Bridges National Monument: we hiked the canyon trail again that weaves under all the bridges. Link to photos in May 2012Overlooking the Colorado River as it enters Lake Powell on a very pleasant fall day at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.Water is low exposing this runway to Lake Powell reservoir. We were wondering if we should bring our kayaks as there were not too many campers this late in the season.Our dispersed camp site on BLM land south of Highway 24, east of Capitol Reef National Park. Can you find the Travato? What a view in all directions!We hiked Burro Wash, Cottonwood Wash, and Sheets Gulch Slot Canyons (on three separate days) that are along the Eastern side of the Waterfold Pocket formation.This is a view of the Waterfold Pocket looking North from the Cedar Mesa campground (off Notom-Bullfrog Road). We hiked the Red Canyon Trail to a large amphitheater.Very fun and unique slot canyons.There were a few challenges to overcome.And a few predators linking around the bends.Amazing that these dry washes could scour these canyons so smooth and deep.Luckily I could stop this rock from blocking my path!We explored the busy main part Capital Reef National Park, listening to a ranger’s geology talk at the visitor center and then heading to an overlook to contemplate the rock layers.As we leave Capitol Reef National Park and head west towards Nevada…
Great Blue Herons enjoying early sunshine on the rock wall.And gave us a view of their magnificent wing span.Our guest room had some activity with friends from Santa Fe!J & J came back for 2 weeks of R & R – we would not let them work this year!Supporting the arch in the Weminuche Wilderness, Colorado’s largest wilderness! For more of J & J’s adventuresWe gathered with fellow Chimney Rock Volunteers at the Springs Resort.Family comes from Florida to visit!We hiked at a 2 year old pace – but got to look at lots of leaves, flowers, sticks and bugs!Precious!Got everyone out kayaking.And all appreciated the water!Another excuse for a dinner party!Largest yet with 14 of us gathered!
We headed the Travato up the road to Teal Campground for a stay-cation!We took the new kayaks – how beautiful is this!We spent several days exploring the coast and the solitude.Taking turns with the camera. Going out in the morning and the evening.This is our favorite photo!We went for several hikes into the nearby Weminuch Wilderness.This is the life!We saw lots of wildflowers…And these black and white butterflys.Lets take the fork to the right…Fun! A river crossing!Heading home with the wilderness behind us.How many miles of fun we have had?!!The heron is waiting for us to make sure we appreciate our home lake.Life feels like a vacation here at home but it was great to explore some near by water as well.
Canada Geese have offsprings. Luckily not too many eggs hatched on “Bird Island” but it is still fun to watch the goslings.These offsprings came to celebrate Memorial Day weekend with us.We all enjoyed hanging around the lake shore and enjoying the first Summer like day.Lots of excitement with first fish caught.We wrapped up the day with a round of Mini Golf and Pizza.We headed South in early June to hike with college friends.What a crew! We camped along the Rio Chama in New Mexico – 5 dispersed sites together.And drank too much Monks Ale, made at this monastery at the end of the road.We did enjoy the scenery and hiking as well as the friendship.We picked up this visitor near the Irish Embassy in Durango, CO. Highly recommend the batter fried fish and chips!And had a great week together!We enjoyed many opening night performances with our summer season tickets.We celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.And appreciated many beautiful sunsets from our deck.
Lake is starting to thaw. Common Mergansers are returningSnowbirding friends from Tucson are passing through on their way north.We had friends over for an evening celebration.We were enjoying the sunset and this lovely solitary swan.And even family snowbirded through on their way north.An excuse for another dinner party!We are so happy to have local friends meet visiting friends and family.To celebrate Earth Day, we bought some nice Hurricane kayaks to enjoy the lakes and a different kind of exercising.
Heading towards Phoenix on Salt River Canyon’s long and winding road.Check out the map – we are not making up the twisties.What a trail blazer!It felt like we had escaped winter when we saw this palm tree.The bridge we had just crossed at the bottom of the canyon – all carved by this Salt River!Sunset on the Superstitious mountains in Lost Dutchman State Park.Nice to be winter hiking with our friends again in Arizona.We shared J & J’s campsite and took turns hosting dinners. Sunshine but temps were chilly.We enjoyed some full moon strolls. Good to be back among the saguaros.We day tripped to Tortilla Flats.Fun restaurant with moola wall papered on every square inch. Also the ladies rooms was a hoot.And got our Arizona Hunting Permit….Ha Ha Ha.We motored across the valley to Sun City to meet up with Mom and family again.Looking very good! We went back to Biltmore for another excellent lunch on the patio.The family photo in the lush gardens. R & S: thanks for hosting us at your place!Link to our photos from last year.On the road again – what an interesting view of saguaros paired with snow covered mountains.Camped for a couple nights near Mogollon Rim.Petrified Forest National Park!There are also petroglyphs hereAs well as petrified wood. Entire trees filled with minerals.Very fun to see this ancient forest ruins.El Morro National Monument was our next over night, like so many travelers before us. Can you imagine carving this beautiful signature in the rock?We climbed to the top of the mesa for the view and to explore the ruins. Link to our photos from previous visit.We lingered a few nights, for a few hikes at El Malpais National Monuments before heading home.
The architect and the first wall.We will wake up to this view in master suite. WOW!Hot air balloon checks out the new construction.We spend our evenings and weekends building the interior stair.We created a landing with a north window – a view of the mountains.Lower stairs are set at 15% angle as this is transition from main house to garage/second floor on a curved site. Second step extended for a seat towards coat closet.We also installed the balcony railing and Trex decking. We ate many of our lunches here during construction!Friends came for the weekend and helped us paint. Incredible! We were so tired from the priming coat on everything, 2 coats on ceiling and walls.Another weekend, friends came and helped us assemble and install the IKEA kitchen.Atlas Shrugged! Power Girl! We sooo appreciated their enthusiasm and experience.This was all the kitchen packaging – yikes! A few trips to the Transfer Station to recycle it.Friends helped us move in and it was over in less than 2 hours! There are still doors to be hung but for now, we have a cup of java and enjoy this milestone moment.IKEA Kallarp gray turquoise kitchen with Kashmir Granite. Front of island has door panels of IKEA Besta Laxviken – also used on built in in dining room.J & J (link to their photos) came for 2 weeks and stayed for 4. They helped install the garage doors, finish kitchen cabinets, build the stair railings and installed bamboo floor. Much more fun to do together – and so much appreciated their dedication to helping us finish.The railing is black powdercoated “hog fence”, set in an aluminum channel and supported top and bottom with an oak rail. Our metal fabricator made the posts, then welded top plates in place – very sturdy railings.We made cardboard templates before cutting the hog fence. Took all four of us to get these made and installed!We found a very artistic landscaper who created this rock wall for us at the lake shore. Property had receding shore line so we wanted to not lose any more land.This is south facing for solar and maximum lake views. Brackets are for future photovoltaic panels. We love how rock wall undulates. Native Blue Grama Grass “Alma” is planted between patio and lake with future landscape beds on either side.Metal roof,trim, and wainscot, stucco walls, Milgard windows: North view from street with Xeriscaping in progress- lots of rock! We thank our contractor, all his subcontractors, and suppliers who made this house a reality!Our cozy sun filled main room with fabulous view of lake and mountains. Main floor is a polished natural concrete – slab on grade to maximize winter solar heat gain.The Alta Vista from the sunset balcony!
