Gypsy & The Navigator

A Road Less Traveled

A Return Trip to Johnson Canyon and Beyond

We really enjoyed our previous trip that started at Johnson Canyon Road and wanted to continue the trip through to the little town of Alton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is so much to see on this roadway.  Like this little shed that only has to have three walls built because the fourth is the cliff.  The ranchers also use the canyons as corrals so they only have to fence one side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is it my overactive imagination or do you see a Sneetch in this rock? 

A perfect little marbled rock teepee.  

Once we left the paved portion of the road it becomes pretty isolated.  There are black lava flows just beyond the end of the pavement.

Soon we came to these light colored hills.  Walt said that they almost looked man made,  then said they were definitely man made.  I was convinced they were natural.

Proved wrong!  A gravel pit. 

 

The road climbs and there are peaceful valleys and red cliffs to be seen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The mountains are forested with pinyon pine, juniper and pine and fir as you climb.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Definitely deer country.

As you come down into the valley the view of the little town of Alton is pleasant and peaceful.   Love that the Post Office is in someone's house and their hours are 7:00 am to 9:00 am Monday through Saturday.

 

 

 

You have to be an early riser if you need anything at the Post Office there. 

 

 

 

 

Between Alton and Highway 89 are some little mountain lakes that were sparkling in the sun. 

 

 

 

 

 

  

The grass was green and lush.  This horse took the easy way..................grass and water aplenty.

 

Our lunch stop was beneath pretty cliffs and wonderful blue skies.

We headed home through Zion.  No matter how many times we are there we marvel at the beauty. This trip the green of spring was everywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring. ~Bern Williams

 

 

 

 

We hadn't been to the Visitor Center so we stopped and spent an hour or so there.  It is an energy efficient building that incorporates the areas natural features.  It is also one of the main shuttle stops to through Zion Canyon.  As of April 1st private vehicles are not allowed up the canyon.  This reduces traffic and protects the park. 

  

I didn't get a picture of the Visitor Center so I am including one from the Parks website.   It is very pretty and in a beautiful setting.  

 

 

I always look forward to a close up view of the Great Arch as we wind our way down the switchbacks.  

 

 

How blessed we are to be in the middle of this abundance of nature. 

 

 

We are camp hosting for the next three days and then are packing up Gypsy and hooking her onto the Navigator and heading off to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park for 6 days.  We are driving Highway 12 the Scenic Byway All-American Road that actually climbs to 10,000 feet and is rated as one of the most beautiful places on earth.  The Navigator will have his work cut out for him. 

"Adventure should be 80 percent 'I think this is manageable,' but it's good to have that last 20 percent where you're right outside your comfort zone. Still safe, but outside your comfort zone."

Bear Grylls

 

Angel Canyon and Showers Bring Flowers

When we visitied Best Friends Animal Sanctuary we went on the tour but it does not go through the entire canyon loop so we went back to take time to enjoy the full circle.  The Canyon is now called Angel Canyon but before Best Friends it was Kanab Canyon.

It is a magnificent little canyon and all those animals are lucky to live there.  We had seen this horse from the bus window on the tour and are convinced it is the most sway backed we have ever seen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was curious about him so I looked him up on their site and found that he was born with the condition so he cannot be ridden but it causes him no pain so he is a happy horse being well taken care of while awaiting adoption.  They go so far as to list him as primarily a Left-Brained extrovert. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He has friends that are waiting to be adopted too.  The horse on the right has some lameness problems and wear corrective horseshoes.  Can you believe how well cared for the lucky animals that end up there are?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Canyon has a Labyrinth that can be used for meditation.  During "Amazing Earthfest" next month one of the events is the Labyrinth Walk led by the artist that designed it.  He also is a co-founder of the Sanctuary. 

Pretty day...................but a later date brought angry skies and rain, blessed rain.

 

 

 

“The storm starts, when the drops start dropping
When the drops stop dropping then the storm starts stopping.”

― Dr. Seuss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play. So we sat in the house. All that cold, cold, wet day.”

― Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat

Yes, we did.  We read, watched movies and several episodes of Nikita.  

The flower beds I have been working on are now really coming to life.  The rain will make them even prettier. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These cheerful wallflowers are in several colors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The 'Amen!' of Nature is always a flower." 
-  Oliver Wendell Holmes   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The journey continues!

 

Johnson Canyon to Grand Staircase - Escalante

A few miles out of Kanab is Johnson Canyon Road.  It is a beautiful 18 mile paved drive and the Canyon was the location for movies and TV shows.  The most notable was Gunsmoke. 

The set is now on private land and is in a state of disrepair.  But, if you were a fan you would remember that Doc's office was upstairs in the two story building that hasn't fully tumbled down yet. 

The road runs through the pretty canyon and is populated by small working ranches.  This was a wise man who built his house upon a rock.

The ranches go right up to the cliffs.  What an amazing place to live and work.

At the end of the paved road you can continue on Johnson Canyon Road or turn right into one of the entrances of the Grand Staircase - Escalante - National Monument.  We initially stayed on Johnson Canyon Road for a few miles.  It runs past some old lava flows and opens up to a pinyon pine covered plateau.  When we drove past the crossroads there was a HUGE tire in the parking area and we wondered what it was doing there.  We turned around to go back and head into the Grand Staircase and when we came back to the crossroads the tire was gone.  We stopped to read the informational boards and savor the scenery for awhile.  

 

 

 

 

The more time I spend in this area the more I am impressed with the Indians and their connection with nature.  This land is so incredibly beautiful but it is also very unforgiving for those who do not understand how to survive in it.  The Indians knew the land and appreciated each plant and animal in it.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

The mystery of the tire was revealed.

The road into the National Monument is rough gravel with a gravel pit a few miles down the road.  When each truck comes for a load of gravel they hook the tire behind it so that it grades the road as it goes in to pick up its load and comes back out.  They then unhook and leave it for the next truck coming in.  The road to the gravel pit is very smooth.  What an ingenious idea. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grand Staircase - Escalante covers 1.7 million acres and most of it is very isolated and remote.  It is mainly accessed by dirt or gravel roads.  The road we took is Skutumpah Road.  Skutmpah is a Pauite word roughly translated as " water where rabbitbrush grows."   It doesn't begin to account for the sweeping views found there. 

This is open range land and we wondered why we didn't see many cattle.  These few were about all we saw.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we crested a hill we had an incredible view of Deer Springs Ranch.  It is a immense working ranch of 8000 acres but also is a Vacation Destination.  You can rent, lease or buy Cabins for a true west experience.  We stopped and spoke to one of the fellows who is a Ranch employee and asked him why we weren't seeing any cattle and he said that it was about 2 weeks until they would be brought up from their winter range in Arizona. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a beautiful day
Sky falls, you feel like
It's a beautiful day
Don't let it get away

You're on the road
But you've got no destination
You're in the mud
In the maze of her imagination

U2 - Beautiful Day

 

Wahweap at Lake Powell

We spent an afternoon in the Wahweap area at Lake Powell.  The water level is down right now but as of 4/19/14 Lake Powell News states that runoff has begun and the lake is expected to rise over 40 feet this spring.  That is good news.  

It would be good to see the dam filled to a higher level.

Lake Powell has created almost 1900 miles of shoreline that goes through arid desert and colorful canyons.  It is surrounded by mountain peaks and buttes.  Most of the shoreline can only be seen by boat.                                                                                     

 

 

 

 

 

There were not too many boats on the lake while we were there but it is still early for the summer tourists. 

 

 

 

 

The marina is filled with boats just waiting for their owners to take them out exploring.

 

 

 

The Wahweap Lodge would be a great place to headquarter for a Lake Powell vacation.

How Green is my desert?

After a pleasant afternoon at the lake we headed back to Gypsy and were happy to see how green the desert was.  Just in time for the summer range cattle to return.

 

"I'm the Cat in the Hat, and today is the day that we're off to see deserts.  Let's leave right away"  Dr. Suess.

The More We See, The More There Is To See

Horseshoe Bend Colorado River Overlook

"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. " Norman Maclean

We hiked to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook and you will have to view the Horseshoe in the 2 pictures above.   To be able to get a picture of the complete horseshoe you have to have a wide angle lens and be much more brave than I am.  That old fear of heights really kicks in here.  To get the picture this is what you have to do.

No Way, Not Me!  But even hanging back the views were astounding.  

The hike is only about 1 and 1/2 miles round trip on a mainly sand trail not far from Page, AZ.

Once you get near the edge there is a 1000 foot drop with no guard rails so we stayed well back.  

But you can still see the enormity of the view.  It takes your breath away and the Navajo sandstone creates an amazing vista.  The water looks like it is just lazily moving along. 

It show being persistent pays off. Look at that beautiful canyon it has created.

The sandstone on the rim is a variety of unusual shapes.  Walt found them to be a nice spot to take a break and scan the horizon through his binoculars and take photos on his phone.

 

On the way back Walt bought me a Turquoise necklace from a very personable group of Indians.  

 

I couldn't wait to get back to Gypsy and find my turquoise rings to go with it. And while searching through my boxes of packed up jewelry look what I found. 

A watch with turquoise on the band. It needed a battery so we went to a little shop in Kanab that replaces them and found out that the director of "Napoleon Dynamite" had grandparents in Kanab and that is why one of the kids in the chicken farm scene is wearing a Kanab Cowboys T-Shirt.  Anyone want one?  Place your order.

All that hiking and sightseeing led to lunch at:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yum, Green Chile Cheeseburger and FRY SAUCE!

I am sure that is a Hatch Chile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everywhere we were we either saw a road we wanted to go down, found a brochure that had numerous things we wanted to do or places we wanted to go or we talked to people who had wonderful suggestions.  

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...” 
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!

 

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

The last time we were here was on our 1983 trip to my 20th High School Reunion.  Kevin and Cyndi buried Rob up to his neck in the sand while we were here.  This time the only thing that got buried were my toes. 

 

The sand felt wonderful.  So soft and warm.  But, walking through it is tough.  We definitely got our workout. Walt left his shoes on so there were nice piles of sand when he emptied them out.  

 

 

 

The Park is about 20 miles west of Kanab with a nice drive through the juniper and pinyon pine trees. 

 

 

 

There are cattle ranches and the fences and corrals are pretty rustic.   These are still working ranches but there are many in the area that have been converted to "Dude Ranches" with cabins and bunkhouses to stay in.

 

 

This corral was filled with tiny purple flowers. 

We were at the dunes at mid-day and they say that the best time for photos is sunrise or sunset but I think it was very pretty in the middle of the day.  We spent a couple of hours hiking through the sand taking in views from different areas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were not many visitors on the day we went so we were able to enjoy how quiet and peaceful it was. The area is a big draw for off road vehicles but since it was mid-week we only saw a few.  It looks like so much fun but what I think I would like better is a 4 wheel drive vehicle so we could travel the back roads that really aren't made for an average vehicle.  Maybe I should put an ad in the local paper that we would babysit one for the summer.  

Anyone home? 

One of the highlights of visiting these beautiful places is meeting the travlers from all over who are as amazed at the beauty as we are. 

This young couple and their adorable baby girl are touring the National Parks in the West on an 8 week holiday from Germany.  They flew into Los Angeles and rented an RV and will see as much as they can before heading home.  They said they live in a large city in Germany and the large, wide open spaces they have seen were difficult to believe.  She was concerned about rattlesnakes and hopefully we reassured her that encounters with them are pretty rare.

Are these hiking shoes? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or maybe these?   Nope, they just walked to the viewing area, looked around for a minute and left.

Made me so happy that we have time now to really enjoy each place we go.

 

We have not yet mastered the art of picnic lunches.  We just grab whatever is in the refrigerator or cupboard and put it in the cooler and go.  Better planning is probably something we should work on. 

Splendid Views, Splendid Day!

  

 

Rocks are all Around Us at The Clam Shell

We wanted a few rocks to put in the bottom of our planters and around our outdoor space and were told that the Clamshell outside of Fredonia, AZ would be a good place to find them.   Fredonia is just a few miles south of Kanab and the road to the Clamshell is gravel and starts out through the desert with imposing red cliffs wearing white skirts on the North side.                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We drove slowly on the bumpy road so there was plenty of time to enjoy the view.   A couple of miles up the road the rocks came into view.

 

 

 

Big bold boulders with the Clam Shell above.   Oh how I wish we could have brought one of those big ones back.  

The Clam Shell was inhabited by the Anasazi Indians using it for shelter or to hide from their enemies. Up there you can find petroglyphs depiciting their lives.   I climbed up a short way but didn't have on good climbing shoes so  I soon came back down.

Besides we were here to collect rocks not climb them.  After getting our buckets full of rocks I crossed the road to the dried up creek beds and found many small pieces of petrified wood.   Rock collecting is much like sea shell collecting at the beach. You just want to keep going on and on because that perfect one could be just another step or two further on.  When we came back and were talking to people about the area we found out there is a way up the back side of the Clam Shell that is easy going and that large pieces of petrified rock have been found out there so it may need a return visit.  

The rocks were put to good use in the bottom of the planters and starting to line a potential flower bed. Work on the outdoor room will continue but it is really comfortable already.  It has been well used  for reading books, taking naps and watching TV this week. 

It's SNOW Pretty Out There

You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting,  So.......get on your way.  Dr. Suess

Promises by the Weatherman of temperatures in the 60's & 70's  had Walt ready to put together our outdoor living area so some shopping was in order.  We had been to Page & St. George to shop so thought this trip should be to Cedar City to enjoy some new scenery.  We took Highway 89 North to State Route 14 that took us through the Dixie National Forest with elevations up to 10,000 feet.  At that elevation there is still snow and with the sun brightly shining the snow sparkled like glitter.

The snow bank was pretty high at the top where it had been plowed.  Glad we were coming through on a bright, sunny day not while there was snow falling. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The views just kept on as we traveled.  At about 8400 feet there is a picturesque little town called Duck Creek Village.  Found out later that Elizabeth Taylor called it home several times in the 40's while filming Drums Along the Mohawk and National Velvet.  This pretty little church in the Village must be amazing when surrounded by snow.

Being so high afforded a view of the back side of Zion National Park. 

It was pretty hazy off in that direction and it gave a dreamy quality to the landscape which was nice because it was pretty cold at the viewpoint and it made me forget about the cold.

 

I really like "snags" or standing dead trees.  They appeal to me visually and they are critical for habitat for birds and other species so the lack of the foliage canopy makes them easier to spot.  

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See how the bird stands out!   This trip had plenty of snags for me to enjoy.  

Once you come out of this intricate and beautiful canyon you are in Cedar City.  We found it to be a very nice little city and our next trip will be for exploring not shopping.  Shopping was successful and I'll update you on our outdoor room when it is further along. 

This is a sneek peek of some things that will be included.

 

There is no Such Thing as Bad Weather

"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather." John Ruskin

Weather.........we have had it all.  The week started out cold and windy so we stayed close to home.

One day the wind was so bad that it broke a large limb off a tree here in the Park and it came down on a Motorhome.  Luckily another tree held the largest part off the roof so only a vent was damaged. 

We went to the Monday night Western Movie.  They played "The Three Mesquiteers, Three Texas Steers" starring John Wayne, made in 1939.  My, have movies come a LONG way.  

A cowboy movie, including a gorilla and an army tank.  Definitely watched it with a smile on my face.

Truly a small town night.  The pre-movie entertainment was the projectionists photos of his recent trip.  And they had a guest of honor, a 90 year old World War II hero.  They played Country Music during the Photo Show and he bounced along with the music.   Not a large turn out but those that were there were enthusiastic Western Movie fans.  Walt was happy to find that a large bucket of popcorn was only $2.00.

Still in the Cowboy movie theme another day we went to the "Little Hollywood" (Kanab) Movie Museum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before you go out to the Movie Sets you pass through their retail store that is full of stunning Indian jewelry, cowboy boots, hats, and all manner of western clothes.

 

 

Then on to the Movie Sets.

 

 

Love this windmill.  Something I would have wished I could have had in my backyard when I had a yard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nice to see some of the movies it has appeared in.  Can't believe I didn't see Truth or Consequences New Mexico.  I will have to track it down so we can watch it.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not sure how many times Walt has watched The Outlaw Josey Wales but he told me what scene happened in each building they have of the set. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One day we had snow and hail.  It was pretty while it lasted.   But, the ground was too warm to let it last.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A nice low key few days.  Back to the Library for more books and movies and plenty of time to read and watch.  Life is Good.  

Just Another Day in Paradise

The day dawned bright and clear so it was a perfect day for another trip to Zion National Park.

We knew it would be a great day when we were greeted by this mountain sheep.  She let us quite close, this picture was not zoomed.  She put on a show for us, scrambling straight up the rocks. 

I tried to do the Canyon Overlook Trail.  The climb was fine but I have always been afraid of heights and when the landscape starting whirling around I knew it was time to turn around and come back down.  Darn, I understand the view is spectacular.

This picture was taken a bit before I had to turn around. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

You guessed right! That is not me WAYYYY up there.

We were able to watch her and her climbing partner rappel down after their climb.  Pretty exciting.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then took a nice hike up a canyon from this pretty little bridge.

We followed the creek up the canyon.   Sandstone art was on the canyon walls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And there was Lichen Art too!

The stream had a relaxing and soothing sound. We followed along until the stream was totally surrounded by big boulders and a sheer canyon on the other side.  

The view before we turned back was spectacular.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The amazing views continued as we drove on through the Park.   We went to the Grotto and had a long, leisurely picnic enjoying the sun and all the beauty around us. 

 

After our picnic our plan was to go on the Riverwalk at the Temple of Sinawava.   Our recollection from our previous trip was that it was not that far from The Grotto so we would walk there.  After we had walked a mile and a half someone told us that it was still 2 miles to the Riverwalk.  So, I continued walking and Walt went back and got the car and picked me up and we parked at the mouth of the Riverwalk and spent the rest of the afternoon on the Riverwalk trail.  It is a one-way trail that follows the Virgin River through the slowly narrowing canyon that ends at The Narrows.  Here the canyon walls come right down to the river and if you want to continue the hike you wade in the river.  Maybe in the summer I will venture further.  Walt says "no way".   

The path is paved and meanders along the river.  The views are so pretty that you can't help stopping and trying to soak it all in.

 

 

 

 

 

There are several small waterfalls and trees that are just starting to leaf out. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                             

 

 

There were several people that were continuing on in the COLD COLD water.  Most had rental dry suits including shoes so they can balance on the round river rocks that line the bottom of the river. 

 

  

The day was very much enjoyed and capped off by a stop on the way home at the Buffalo Grill so Walt could have a buffalo burger.

WARNING:  For those of you who speed in Zion National Park you will get picked up by a Ranger  and.....................

they don't give you a ticket.   They just REROUTE  you to this exit from the Park.