Blogs from Capitol Reef, Utah, United States, North America - page 2

We woke to leaden skies and a frosty 25 degree morning. It gave us a chance to break out the cold weather gear that we had pulled out of mothballs back in Florida. We've had the same winter clothing for 20-years now and in that time we've probably worn them all of 6 weeks. I know; Poor us. We headed westward through broad canyons and striated escarpments. Huge mesas appeared, their tops intricately carved by erosion into fantastic shapes. We passed one called 'The Factory' but to my eyes it looked like Monte Cassino before the bombings of 1944 had reduced it to rubble. Once again we were the only people on the highway though we did see one RV that had pulled off onto a gravel park service road in the distance. They had one ... read more

almost missed this place because I thought I should drive more today. It’s only about 70 miles from Calf Creek but the scenery couldn’t be different. Huge orange, beige and chocolate sandstone mountains carved into the side of a 9000 feet high range with bits of snow leftover from last weeks blizzard. I did a short, three hour walk this afternoon after I arrived and with a bit of luck I will be able to upload the 360 degree video I made. Unbelievable! I keep on huffing and puffing up the mountains, speculating about what would happen if I don’t make it and then I arrive at the top and I become literally speechless. Not that I’m talking to anyone, it’s really quiet around here this time of year, that’s why I chose April/May to travel ... read more

Southern Utah has a nearly unbelievable variety of landscapes. The desert canyons and slickrock of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument are only a small part of it. This state will provide as much scenery as a visitor can handle. Today is a perfect example, heading from deserts to lush mountains and back again. Hells Backbone Road Boulder, Utah was once the most isolated community in the continental United States. Mail was delivered by pack mule until 1940. In the middle 1930s, the Utah state government asked the Civilian Conservation Corps to build a road between Boulder and Escalante. They did, the Hells Backbone Road. Although the road has since been supplemented by route 12, it’s still a thrilling and pretty drive... read more

9th & 10th April Bryce Canyon National Park to Capitol Reef National Park After a chilly night where Jack ended up in bed with us and he and Jonathan stole all the covers (though i think Jonathan may argue otherwise) breakfast was in the beast and then the open road was calling. Again, the contrasting landscapes astounded us. Altitudes reached 7700 feet with yet more snow. Then there was Hells Backbone, a rather intimidating stretch of narrow road with plenty of switchbacks and sheer drops on either side. The perspective of where the front right wheel is when you're sat up high in the passenger seat, remember we're driving on the right hand side of the road, is decidedly warped. There were a few times where it felt as if we were driving through midair. We ... read more

Wednesday, August 25, 2009 In Which the Author hits the Cathedral Valley, Utah Camping alone at a pull-off off of a ridge road in the Fishlake National Forest, Utah, I’m clicking away on the keyboard in the dark tent. I keep hearing strange noises, animal-like noises, at the truck, which is only parked 5 feet away from the tent, but Sophie sleeps on, exhausted, and I’m too tired to be too alarmed. The noises stem from the truck, which is odd, as the engine has been shut off for hours. I made a few “whooping” noises (high-pitched grunts) and shined the flashlight around, but to no avail. Oh well, whatever it is doesn’t seem to be canoodling around the tent, so whatever… When I awoke early (probably around 8 a.m.), I surveyed the campsite, which was ... read more