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.
Smokey decided we were eligible for lifetime senior pass.So we headed a bit south to explore our cultural heritage.And to see the iconic Pueblo Bonito.This was our first half price campsite now that we are of that distinguished age.Water is always an issue – such an interesting location that was chosen.Lucky we got to watch a spring storm roll in.It gave the walls and rocks another dimension of color to Pueblo Kin Keltso.Pueblo Kin Kletso is the start of a hike to top of mesa.A bit of a slot canyon hides the trailAllows you to look back down on Kin Kletso.And even see the river in the Chaco Canyon.View of Pueblo Bonito from top is outstanding.As is adjacent Pueblo Chetro Ketl.An appreciation of the magnitude of scale is had by walking through the ruins.And getting an interior perspective. Magnificent craftsmanship! Truly amazing to appreciate the amount of work.William Henry Jackson discovered this prehistoric stairway carved in the sandstone cliff when he was photographing this area in 1877. It is believed to be part of the Chaco Road system heading to the north.Is there really an end to the trail? How far do these roads travel?Guess it is time to head back to the Travato and make our way north…But first another hike down the valley to Pueblo Wijiji.
Good morning Winter 2019!Gorgeous day to walk along the San Juan river downtown.And appreciate the ice crystals on the plants, the shadows, and how the snow piles on the rocks.Snowshoeing around the block with neighbors.Winter Fest brought hot air balloons and cold temperatures.So colorful and fun to watch them inflate.A good crowd of spectators.Beautiful mountain scenery.And they like to do “touch and Go” on the lake leaving a skid mark in the snow.Maybe that is what our frequent visitor is waiting for.Or maybe he is just enjoying the view like us.
