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10/7/2021 We’re waving bye-bye to Idaho as we drop into Utah, buuuuuut along the way, we’ve found the small town of…..wait….for…..it……Howell, UT! How could we NOT stop here for some pictures?!
10/7/2021 We’re waving bye-bye to Idaho as we drop into Utah, buuuuuut along the way, we’ve found the small town of…..wait….for…..it……Howell, UT! How could we NOT stop here for some pictures?!
Final destination? Bear Lake State Park right along the UT/ID border.
Final destination? Bear Lake State Park right along the UT/ID border.
Dylan has found a dead….yes, dead…..fish and somehow Grace thinks it’s food.
Dylan has found a dead….yes, dead…..fish and somehow Grace thinks it’s food.
10/9/2021 This wild, crazy and noisy helicopter has just circled our campground and disappeared into the horizon. However, when you are nerd like me, you have flight tracking apps on your phone. A quick tip-tap later and I have discovered that it’s landed in a cow pasture just a few minutes from us. Load up Grant in the van and off we go. It’s actually a VERY unusual and not often seen KMax twin rotor helicopter.
10/9/2021 This wild, crazy and noisy helicopter has just circled our campground and disappeared into the horizon. However, when you are nerd like me, you have flight tracking apps on your phone. A quick tip-tap later and I have discovered that it’s landed in a cow pasture just a few minutes from us. Load up Grant in the van and off we go. It’s actually a VERY unusual and not often seen KMax twin rotor helicopter.
On our way home, Grant and I have an encounter with the local wildlife.
On our way home, Grant and I have an encounter with the local wildlife.
…oh and more from the “wildlife world”, this herd of cattle is living a the pasture right next to the campground. We have never heard such a noisy bunch of animals! It was bananas! Day and night, constant mooing! Literally, constant.
…oh and more from the “wildlife world”, this herd of cattle is living a the pasture right next to the campground. We have never heard such a noisy bunch of animals! It was bananas! Day and night, constant mooing! Literally, constant.
10/10/2021 What?! You mean….there is ANOTHER National Monument that likes dogs? Really?! You’re not joking? YES!!!! When do we leave?!
10/10/2021 What?! You mean….there is ANOTHER National Monument that likes dogs? Really?! You’re not joking? YES!!!! When do we leave?!
That’s right Bear! We are going to Fossil Butte National Monument and they do allow dogs!
That’s right Bear! We are going to Fossil Butte National Monument and they do allow dogs!
Dylan has asked the ranger a question (don’t ask me what) and he is chatting Dylan up like nobody’s business! Sometimes I wonder if the rangers at these smaller parks are bored or genuinely into their job. This guy seemed pretty into it.
Dylan has asked the ranger a question (don’t ask me what) and he is chatting Dylan up like nobody’s business! Sometimes I wonder if the rangers at these smaller parks are bored or genuinely into their job. This guy seemed pretty into it.
The display of fossils that has been found here seems, in a word, vast.
The display of fossils that has been found here seems, in a word, vast.
We’re waiting semi-patiently for the park movie to start playing.
We’re waiting semi-patiently for the park movie to start playing.
If you didn’t know me, you’d probably think I was REALLY into spiders. Well, I’m not. However, I do like bumping into random wildlife out there in the actual wild and I LOVE seeing things we wouldn’t see back home. This guy falls into both categories. I still have no idea what it is, but it’s cool!
If you didn’t know me, you’d probably think I was REALLY into spiders. Well, I’m not. However, I do like bumping into random wildlife out there in the actual wild and I LOVE seeing things we wouldn’t see back home. This guy falls into both categories. I still have no idea what it is, but it’s cool!
This is the epic view from the top of the “Scenic Drive”. You can easily see the road you drive up to get here.
This is the epic view from the top of the “Scenic Drive”. You can easily see the road you drive up to get here.
We are moving forward with the hike they have to the “Old Quarry”. Here’s the view from the parking lot and our supposed destination pointed out with the red arrow.
We are moving forward with the hike they have to the “Old Quarry”. Here’s the view from the parking lot and our supposed destination pointed out with the red arrow.
We’re almost there!
We’re almost there!
On the way back down, for some reason, I am lagging WAY behind! Here’s the rest of the crew….
On the way back down, for some reason, I am lagging WAY behind! Here’s the rest of the crew….
Val gives her seal of approval for the original homestead here.
Val gives her seal of approval for the original homestead here.
Bear is skeptical of her choice for sure!
Bear is skeptical of her choice for sure!
It does have quite the backdrop though.
It does have quite the backdrop though.
10/11/2021 Story Time: We like the smaller state parks and campgrounds as opposed to the bigger resorts or places in the city. They are almost universally a much better fit for our needs and always cheaper. Life’s necessities are usually further away and harder to get (Costco, grocery stores, fuel, etc), but we’ve just learned to accept that because the trade-off is getting to stay in REALLY great locations. This is a Utah state park and supposedly VERY busy in the summer as a destination location for people in Salt Lake. However, this is the off season and there are VERY few folks here right now. Internet speeds are FANTASTIC and we have no need to be in a city for a little while. As a result, we decide to pay for a few extra nights here. I mean, who wouldn’t want to stay here for as long as possible?
10/11/2021 Story Time: We like the smaller state parks and campgrounds as opposed to the bigger resorts or places in the city. They are almost universally a much better fit for our needs and always cheaper. Life’s necessities are usually further away and harder to get (Costco, grocery stores, fuel, etc), but we’ve just learned to accept that because the trade-off is getting to stay in REALLY great locations. This is a Utah state park and supposedly VERY busy in the summer as a destination location for people in Salt Lake. However, this is the off season and there are VERY few folks here right now. Internet speeds are FANTASTIC and we have no need to be in a city for a little while. As a result, we decide to pay for a few extra nights here. I mean, who wouldn’t want to stay here for as long as possible?
Now for the fun part: We have been informed by the resident camp host that there is some cold weather coming and the Parks Department has decided to close the park, for the season, 3 WEEKS early! The campground will be 100% closed tomorrow. The “catch” is the fact that they’ll let us stay for as many night as we’ve already paid for…..but they are locking the gate, so if we leave for any reason, in any vehicle, we won’t be able to get back in. 24 hours later, the camp host has packed and left. We are literally the only people in the campground and nobody else can get in. This is OUR park! Ah yes, it’s good to be the king!
Now for the fun part: We have been informed by the resident camp host that there is some cold weather coming and the Parks Department has decided to close the park, for the season, 3 WEEKS early! The campground will be 100% closed tomorrow. The “catch” is the fact that they’ll let us stay for as many night as we’ve already paid for…..but they are locking the gate, so if we leave for any reason, in any vehicle, we won’t be able to get back in. 24 hours later, the camp host has packed and left. We are literally the only people in the campground and nobody else can get in. This is OUR park! Ah yes, it’s good to be the king!
10/16/2021 We have a planned destination for today, BUT this shockingly large aviation museum at Hill Air Force Base is directly off the highway along our drive….and it’s free…..and I have a hard time NOT going to something like that…..so, yep, we’re going in! I’ve decided to spare you the photo journal of this stop. I recognize that I have a lot of aircraft pictures in this “photo journal” (or whatever the heck it can be called) of our travels and that’s probably not everyone’s cup of tea. I will say this though, Grant and I have decided that EVERYTHING would look better with a shark mouth painted on it. EVERYTHING!
10/16/2021 We have a planned destination for today, BUT this shockingly large aviation museum at Hill Air Force Base is directly off the highway along our drive….and it’s free…..and I have a hard time NOT going to something like that…..so, yep, we’re going in! I’ve decided to spare you the photo journal of this stop. I recognize that I have a lot of aircraft pictures in this “photo journal” (or whatever the heck it can be called) of our travels and that’s probably not everyone’s cup of tea. I will say this though, Grant and I have decided that EVERYTHING would look better with a shark mouth painted on it. EVERYTHING!
…and Grace and Bear are gunning for the B-52. I think the operational costs alone are going to kill them, but you’ve got to let kids make their own choices, right?
…and Grace and Bear are gunning for the B-52. I think the operational costs alone are going to kill them, but you’ve got to let kids make their own choices, right?
Our _actual_ goal for today? Golden Spike National Historical Park. There is an up and a downside to traveling in the “off season”. On the up side, most places we go are empty or there just isn’t a lot of people. On the down side, a lot of stuff is closed or operating on a limited basis. Today marks the very last day of the season that they will be operating the locomotives at this legendary place where the USA was finally connected, from coast to coast, by rail. As such, I am motivated to get here to see the legendary steamers run. JUUUUUUUST as we are entering the park, locomotive 119 was crossing the road in front of us! (forgive the low quality picture. I was actively driving the car and taking this picture at the same time!)
Our _actual_ goal for today? Golden Spike National Historical Park. There is an up and a downside to traveling in the “off season”. On the up side, most places we go are empty or there just isn’t a lot of people. On the down side, a lot of stuff is closed or operating on a limited basis. Today marks the very last day of the season that they will be operating the locomotives at this legendary place where the USA was finally connected, from coast to coast, by rail. As such, I am motivated to get here to see the legendary steamers run. JUUUUUUUST as we are entering the park, locomotive 119 was crossing the road in front of us! (forgive the low quality picture. I was actively driving the car and taking this picture at the same time!)
This guy was GREAT! He’s a retired boiler operator from a power plant and now volunteering his time here. He was full of knowledge and seemed to simply love what he was doing.
This guy was GREAT! He’s a retired boiler operator from a power plant and now volunteering his time here. He was full of knowledge and seemed to simply love what he was doing.
Listen here kid, if you try to come over here, I’m gonna give you the business end of this thingy-mah-jigger!!!!
Listen here kid, if you try to come over here, I’m gonna give you the business end of this thingy-mah-jigger!!!!
National Historical Parks are almost universally dog friendly.
National Historical Parks are almost universally dog friendly.
Juuuust in case you’re wondering, this is a replica. Both original trains that met on that historic day, in this historic place, were sold for scrap a LOOOOONG time ago.
Juuuust in case you’re wondering, this is a replica. Both original trains that met on that historic day, in this historic place, were sold for scrap a LOOOOONG time ago.
10/23/2021 Today is a rainy moving day for us. We’re leaving SLC and excited to fill a sight seeing void we’ve had for a while. One last walk around the campground for Bear and we find this awesome little Leaf Bug (not sure what their ACTUAL name is). I really LOVE these pictures of it. The water droplets. The reflection on the wet ground. The surface tension of the water around its little feet. It just came together so well……for a picture of a bug anyway.
10/23/2021 Today is a rainy moving day for us. We’re leaving SLC and excited to fill a sight seeing void we’ve had for a while. One last walk around the campground for Bear and we find this awesome little Leaf Bug (not sure what their ACTUAL name is). I really LOVE these pictures of it. The water droplets. The reflection on the wet ground. The surface tension of the water around its little feet. It just came together so well……for a picture of a bug anyway.
10/24/2021 The site seeing void I mentioned? That would be Capitol Reef National Park. The was the only member of Utah’s self-proclaimed “Mighty 5” that we had to miss last time were came through Southern Utah. This time we are traversing Utah from North to South and we aren’t skipping it!
10/24/2021 The site seeing void I mentioned? That would be Capitol Reef National Park. The was the only member of Utah’s self-proclaimed “Mighty 5” that we had to miss last time were came through Southern Utah. This time we are traversing Utah from North to South and we aren’t skipping it!
We are heading towards the trailhead for the Capitol Gorge and you have to head down this dirt road to get there. Aside from being narrow, the road is quite well maintained. The canyon walls though, they are quite a imposing. It’s a really fun drive that makes you feel pretty small sometimes.
We are heading towards the trailhead for the Capitol Gorge and you have to head down this dirt road to get there. Aside from being narrow, the road is quite well maintained. The canyon walls though, they are quite a imposing. It’s a really fun drive that makes you feel pretty small sometimes.
I’ve purposely taken a picture with the van in it so you have a sense of scale.
I’ve purposely taken a picture with the van in it so you have a sense of scale.
At the trailhead, we’ve found this little horned guy!
At the trailhead, we’ve found this little horned guy!
The first part of this hike pretty much involves just walking down a sandy wash. It’s an easy one, but so pretty….and we will need to save our energy for the surprise ending.
The first part of this hike pretty much involves just walking down a sandy wash. It’s an easy one, but so pretty….and we will need to save our energy for the surprise ending.
…and there are petroglyphs!
…and there are petroglyphs!
DING! DING!
DING! DING!
Really surprised to see flowers still blooming this late into the season and in place that gets this cold at night.
Really surprised to see flowers still blooming this late into the season and in place that gets this cold at night.
I’m not a geologist, so I have not idea what’s going on here, but DAMN this rock was cool looking!
I’m not a geologist, so I have not idea what’s going on here, but DAMN this rock was cool looking!
No Grace! They will not let you live here!
No Grace! They will not let you live here!
Look, there weren’t ANY signs that specifically said “Stay On Trail”…..so……yep…..
Look, there weren’t ANY signs that specifically said “Stay On Trail”…..so……yep…..
Here’s the part you’re saving your energy for; Once you reach a certain part of the trail, you have the choice to keep going down the wash, turn around and go back to your car OR head to a place they call “The Tanks”. We have chosen “The Tanks” (for better or worse) and it requires some pretty rugged terrain for a family like ours. It’s hard to tell from this picture, but the path up looks something like this….
Here’s the part you’re saving your energy for; Once you reach a certain part of the trail, you have the choice to keep going down the wash, turn around and go back to your car OR head to a place they call “The Tanks”. We have chosen “The Tanks” (for better or worse) and it requires some pretty rugged terrain for a family like ours. It’s hard to tell from this picture, but the path up looks something like this….
Anyway, once you’re up the bad part, it looks like this and you have a milder 0.3-ish mile walk from here to “The Tanks”.
Anyway, once you’re up the bad part, it looks like this and you have a milder 0.3-ish mile walk from here to “The Tanks”.
Sure. Find a hole in the Earth and stick your hand in it. That’s just how we roll around here!
Sure. Find a hole in the Earth and stick your hand in it. That’s just how we roll around here!
….and we’ve made the trip to “The Tanks”, which are giant reliefs in the rock surface that collect and store water. Supposedly Native Americans and early pioneers used this as a source of year-round water.
….and we’ve made the trip to “The Tanks”, which are giant reliefs in the rock surface that collect and store water. Supposedly Native Americans and early pioneers used this as a source of year-round water.
…..oh hey, look, did you notice? the Fonz is back!
…..oh hey, look, did you notice? the Fonz is back!
Grant did NOT enjoy the first part of this hike to The Tanks, so he earned this rest and it made for a great picture.
Grant did NOT enjoy the first part of this hike to The Tanks, so he earned this rest and it made for a great picture.
It’s one of those places where just turning around usually reveals something that is amazing to look at.
It’s one of those places where just turning around usually reveals something that is amazing to look at.
10/25/2021 Today’s goal is “Hickman Bridge”, a 133ft natural stone arch.
10/25/2021 Today’s goal is “Hickman Bridge”, a 133ft natural stone arch.
We have discovered a cute little place to take a break in the shade.
We have discovered a cute little place to take a break in the shade.
And here it is! It’s a stunning feature in the park and well worth the hike.
And here it is! It’s a stunning feature in the park and well worth the hike.
In case you hadn’t noticed, I’ve pointed out the Howell family for size reference….
In case you hadn’t noticed, I’ve pointed out the Howell family for size reference….
Is Dylan bored or tired? Phone in your answer to 1-800-AWWWW-POOR-LITTLE-GUY
Is Dylan bored or tired? Phone in your answer to 1-800-AWWWW-POOR-LITTLE-GUY
I know this didn’t translate very well in picture, but believe me when I tell you this “layer cake” of stone that Mother Nature baked up was brilliant.
I know this didn’t translate very well in picture, but believe me when I tell you this “layer cake” of stone that Mother Nature baked up was brilliant.
The Hickman Bridge Trail is actually a loop that has you walk up to the arch, then under it and then out the backside and joins back up with the trail after you circle this ridge on the left. Going to Capitol Reef? Don’t miss it!
The Hickman Bridge Trail is actually a loop that has you walk up to the arch, then under it and then out the backside and joins back up with the trail after you circle this ridge on the left. Going to Capitol Reef? Don’t miss it!
You also get a great shot back up the main canyon (and road you drive in on) and into some of the early pioneer orchards.
You also get a great shot back up the main canyon (and road you drive in on) and into some of the early pioneer orchards.
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