Gypsy & The Navigator

Some Errands and Some Thoughts

The Trip & Return Trip for Errands.

“The further one goes, the less (he realizes he) one knows.” — Lao-Tzu

We headed to Hurricane to do some laundry (their laundromat is SO much nicer than Kanabs) and do some shopping.  Our route took us through Zion on the way over.  The picture above is a rock formation not too far outside of Kanab that is a landmark for me.  On our way out it means we are on our way and on a return trip it means that we are soon to be back.  I love its' coloring and imposing smoothness.

No matter how many times we go through Zion it always leaves me breathless.

 

Each time we go through the mile long tunnel I play a game with myself to see if I can get a picture as we whiz by the few openings in the tunnel wall. I change the setting on my camera each time and finally found one that is speedy enough to snap the picture. Now that I know the setting my goal is to get a better picture each time. But I am happy that I have actually gotten one.

 

 

 

 

 

There is more traffic in the Park now.   Reminds me of a painting by Dileen Marsh.  "Watching the Crowds at Zion Park". 

 

She is a painter that I like.  She seems to have a great sense of humor. Much of her work is of the Southern Utah area.

Do you think the cactus, trees and rocks watch the visitors? 

 

 

 

We spent a few hours doing our errands and having lunch and then headed back to Kanab via State Route 389 that goes across "The Arizona Strip".  This takes us through Colorado City just across the Utah border.  It is the town that Warren Jeffs has ruled as leader of a polygamous sect.  Even though he is in prison apparently he still has command over his followers.  The highway goes past the town but to see the houses you have to turn off and drive through.  When Kevin was here we had driven through but I did not take any pictures and so I asked that Walt drive through again so I could take a few pictures.

 This is apparently a church or meeting house that was never completed.

There are many houses that are not completed.  There is much discussion as to why the construction stopped.  Many say it is to avoid taxes because if it is not completed it is not taxed, others say it is because Warren Jeffs has commanded them to stop.  

Currently I am sure that the reason nothing is being done is because the State of Arizona seized the holdings of the sect (all the property was owned by the United Effort Plan which was a subsidiary of the church ruled by Jeffs)  and the members were to pay only $100 a month to remain in the homes but most have not done so so now are facing eviction. 

Almost all of the properties, whether in good repair or not, are surrounded by high walls.  And no matter what time of day you go through you never see anyone outside.  They have gardens and animals that need to be taken care of so I am curious how they do this.  On this trip there was one man on a street and he watched us as we drove but did give a small wave.  I wish I would have been brave enough to take his picture.  He was like a step back in time. 

The children are home schooled and most don't get much more than a 5th grade education.  The girls are raised only to be one of multiple wives and the boys are often exiled (parents ordered to drop them off in the desert or Las Vegas)  with nowhere to go when there are too many males in the sect. When I think about the whole situation I go between being so terribly sad for those children to so angry my blood pressure rises.  

Just a mile or so further on SR389 and on the other side of the road is a very affulent looking area that I had always assumed was where Warren Jeffs and his high ranking church leaders lived.  But, after doing some research this is the community called Centennial Park and is a polygamous group that broke off from the Colorado City group in 1984.  This is the group that has been featured on many television programs.  They commute to white-collar jobs, value education and technology and do not allow marriages of anyone under 18.  They dress in modern attire yet modestly. 

 

As in the Warren Jeffs homes these homes are also surrounded by walls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Some walls are a bit more stylish than others.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here too it seems most of the properties are in a state of non-completion.  We did see several children playing and they seemed happy and carefree.   While I personally cannot understand why any woman would want to live in a polygamus situation at least these women seem to do it more by choice than the fear and oppression of the Warren Jeffs led group.  

My curiousity each time we have driven past the area finally led me to do quite a bit of reading about the groups and has left me unable to understand how people can make decisions or act in such illogical ways.  But, then they probably feel that my way of life is not sensible or logical either.

"As all human beings are, in my view, creatures of God's design, we must respect all other human beings. That does not mean I have to agree with their choices or agree with their opinions, but indeed I respect them as human beings."

Stockwell Day

I really need to tape that to my bathroom mirror so that I see it every day and try and be more tolerant. 

Even the thorny cactus produces beautiful blooms.

A Different Route Back to Kanab

Through Marble Canyon and Jacob Lake.

Left early in the morning and realized another thing I miss.  Driving down I10 and seeing the planes fly right over your head.  I don't know why but it is something I really like. 

We took 89A for our return trip.

The road heads north through the Navajo Indian Reservation along the Vermillion Cliffs.

Soon we arrived at the Navajo Bridge.

The original Navajo Bridge (that I am standing on to take pictures) was completed in 1929.  At that time it was the only crossing of the Colorado River for 600 miles in either direction.

Prior to the Navajo Bridge completion to cross the river it was done by crossing on Lee's Ferry. It is just a ways upstream from this picture.  The Ferry, originally operated by John Doyle Lee,  started in the 1870's and has an interesting history culminating in its ceasing of operations a few months prior to the completion of the Navajo Bridge.  Lee's Ferry is now a launching point for raft trips through the Grand Canyon.

Marble Canyon marks the beginning of the Grand Canyon.

The name Marble Canyon is a misnomer because there is no marble there. Although John Wesley Powell knew this when he named the canyon, he thought the polished limestone looked like marble. In his words, "The limestone of the canyon is often polished, and makes a beautiful marble. Sometimes the rocks are of many colors - white, gray, pink, and purple, with saffron tints"

In 1995 the new bridge was completed that architecturally matched the original bridge.  The original bridge could no longer handle the traffic flow and is now used as a pedestrian bridge which allows great views of the canyon.  It is quite a sight to see the two matching bridges.  It is like seeing double.

The Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center is constructed of the local rock.  I thought it was absolutely beautiful.

Spectacular cliffs continue until you start the climb to Jacob Lake.

A stop in Jacob Lake for a late lunch and of course one of their famous cookies.  My choice this time was cookie in a cloud.  Yummy chocolate cookie, marshmallow fill and chocolate frosting.

Another great road trip.  Wherever we go we find something different and often something familiar.

"The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see."      Gilbert K. Chesterton

A Few Days in Gilbert

So Good to See the Family.  And All of Our Errands Completed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

A few pictures of the Grandkids....................the ones that stayed still long enough to get a photo. 

 

 

And some of the Grandpets.

“Just tell yourself, Duckie, you're really quite lucky.”

― Dr. Seuss

“And the turtles, of course...all the turtles are free, as turtles and, maybe, all creatures should be.” ― Dr. Seuss, Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories 

TWO Diamondbacks games for Walt.  

Since we have been gone for over three months I thought about what I MISS ABOUT OUR OLD LIFE.

1. The family..............being able to see them more often and participate in their activities.

2. My hairdresser...............I miss those frequent haircuts.  It was nice to have it cut and hope I can hang in there until we are back in November.

3. Gas prices..............we actually got a tank of gas for less than $3.10 a gallon with our Fry's discount

4. A great pedicure.................where there is no competition you don't get very much pampering.

5. The Chile Verde at Rio Rico.

6. Good radio stations.

7. Breakfast at The Coffee Shop at Agritopia.

8. Bath and Body closer than an hour and a half away.

9. A Sonic never very far away for a Dirty Diet Coke.

10. Did I say family?  Those grandkids keep growing up and I am missing it.

Some things I don't miss but had to face on the trip.

1.  Renewing my driver license...............a trip to the MVD is never fun but all is well and I am legal again.

2. Getting the car smogged and licensed for another two years..............that hurts the budget.

3. Dr. Appointments.  Walt and I are both counseled to quit eating those carbs............

"I guess I don't so much mind being old, as I mind being fat and old."  Benjamin Franklin.   I just don't seem to mind enough.  Those carbs taste wonderful.  

And then after explaining my shoulder pain to the Dr. he stated it was bursitis and he should be able to help but of course there is always the disclaimer that you have to sign stating that it might not work, it might cause an infection and it would hurt.  EUREKA!   It HURT but it worked.  I haven't had this range of motion in a very long time. 

4.  The fact that the triple digit heat would go on for many more months.  I didn't mind it for a few days but I remember that after months you get pretty weary of it. 

All in all a great few days.  Leaving you with this absolutely true fact.

“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.” – Susan Heller

 

 

 

 

A Trip to Gilbert

Family, Car Smog, Registration, Dr. Appointments, Haircuts, Pedicure.

We left VERY early in the morning to head to Gilbert for a few days. 

I love road trips early in the morning.  No cars on the road, everything seems quiet and calm.

 

 

The sun was just starting to rise and the colors in the clouds were soft pastels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The colors started brightening to yellows and oranges. 

By the time we got to 89T South of Page the blue sky started to lighten.  Over a year ago a landslide ripped up a section of 89 and work is still in progress to rebuild the road. In the meantime, 89T has been put into place as a detour.  The road was a Navajo Nation roadway and has been paved and will be maintained by the Arizona Department of Transporation until 89 is back in use.  

The road still looks brand new as it rolls and winds through the beautiful Navajo land.

The scenery was lovely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am glad we came this way because I am not sure what will happen on the road in the future.

This is the quote from ADOT.

"After the reconstruction of US89 is finished, N20 (which will be dubbed Temporary US 89, or US 89T, once it’s paved) will be relinquished to the Navajo Nation."

That may mean it can still be traveled but will not be maintained.   It is a great route from Page heading south. 

As we came near Flagstaff the wind was blowing like mad.  And since there has been no rain that meant DUST.  

On into the Valley.  Back among the Saguaros. 

 And the freeway traffic. 

We were busy getting the Navigator smogged and registered and blood tests for Walt completed before we headed to Cynthia's house.  She graciously hosted a Fathers Day Salmon Dinner for Walt.  Salmon is his favorite and everything was delicious.  Nice to see all the kids and grandkids.  They all look healthy and happy. 

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” Brian Littrell

Bryce Canyon National Park

A Trip to the Forest of Stone with Friends

We went to Bryce Canyon with Charlotte and Carl and Sylvia and David.  What a wonderful day!

The rim at Bryce is 8000 to 9000 feet high and the views are spectacular. 

The amazing formations are called hoodoos. Hoodoos are found in other areas but nowhere are they as abundant as they are in Bryce Canyon.

A hoodoo is a tall, thin spire of rock that protrudes from the bottom of an arid drainage basin or badland.

The Paiute Indians have a story of how Bryce Canyon was formed.  They say before there were any Indians, the Legend People lived in this place. They were of many kinds -- birds, animals, lizards, and such things but they had the power to make themselves look like people. For some reason the Legend People were bad, so Coyote turned them all into rocks.  You can see them in that place now, all turned into rocks, some standing in rows, some sitting down, some holding onto others, you can see their faces with the paint on them just as they were before they became rocks.

It is truly an awe inspiring place to be.  Hours could be spent just watching the shadows change as the clouds move across the sky.

There wasn't time to hike the Navajo Trail so that is on my "to do" list when we come back. We are planning on bringing Gypsy to the Bryce Canyon Campground to stay a few days.

Hoodoos cast a spell on you.  You can imagine those people in the formations that the Paiutes tell about. This formation looks like a group of women talking about their day to me.

Bryce Canyon is a Crown Jewel of the Southern Utah Parks.  It leaves you breathless.

This Ranger LOVES rocks.  There is a lot to love here.

"How did it get late so soon?"  Dr. Suess

Great day in nature with wonderful friends.

 

Happy Times - Friends Come to Visit

"The best things in life come in threes, like friends, dreams, and memories."  Mencius

Charlotte and Carl and Sylvia and David came to Kanab and parked at the Hitch-n-Post for 3 nights and we were so happy to see them.  Lots of visiting and lots of good food.

We went to the Clam Shell and look who made it to the top!  

No, not me! Carl was the one who made it up to bring us back pictures of the Petroglyphs.

The rest of us collected petrified wood and enjoyed the view.

A quick stop at the Little Hollywood Movie Museum.

 

Our next stop is Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.  The picture above is a the view of the Grand Staircase Escalante from the Best Friends Tour Bus window.  Everyone enjoyed the tour and like us was very impressed with the Sanctuary and the beautiful canyon it is in.  I highly recommend it as a place to visit when you are in the Kanab area.  

After dinner we headed out for Kanab's Wednesday Night Concert at "The Terrace".   The band for the night was "Tumbleweedz".  Love the small town atmosphere.

The nursing home residents had front row seats. Touched my heart.  I hope someone will take me out to the music in my wheel chair future. 

He was our favorite.  Never missed a beat until he got tired. 

The rest of the band put their music cases here, he put his walker.   

Loved the day with such good, kind-hearted friends.    

"Nothing is permanently perfect. But there are perfect moments and the will to choose what will bring about more perfect moments.” 
― Mary Balogh

 

Grand Canyon North Rim

Almost Too Big to be Believed!

From Kanab the route to the Grand Canyon North Rim takes you to Jacob Lake (stop at the Inn for incredible cookies) on Route 89A.  From Jacob Lake continue south on Highway 67.  You climb until you reach the beautiful aspen and pine forest. 

Just as you enter the Park there is a herd of buffalo.  They are not native to the area.  They were brought in by ranchers (from Yellowstone) in the early 1900's to cross breed with cattle in the hopes of producing " a superior breed of livestock, the cattalo".  The experiment was not a success and the herd of hybrids remains.  They do damage to vegetation and foul the water and the Park Service is considering different solutions to the problem.  They are not as huge as the ones you see in Yellowstone but their babies are just as cute.

They are cinnamon colored for a very short period of time. Within 3 months their coats turn to brown and within 6 months they can weigh 0ver 300 pounds.

The last time I was at the North Rim was in the summer of 1959 when relatives from North Dakota came to see our family while we were living in Kanab.  The most vivid memory from that day is that I had put my foot up on the bumper of the car to tie my shoe and the car moved away from me and then settled back.  An EARTHQUAKE.   

The Lodge is so pretty with incredible views from inside the Lobby and the Restaurant.  And outside from the patios on each side.  We have reserved a room there in August so I can get up early and see the sunrise over the canyon.  I am hoping for clouds, fog or rainy mist but in August probably not.   Or best of all............a summer monsoon with lightning.

 

 

 

Those windows are HUGE.

 

 

 

  

 

The original Lodge burned down in 1932 and was rebuilt in 1937.  The rock work fits right in with the canyon.

 

 

 

 

 

 
 The trail to Bright Angel Point starts at the Lodge.  It has overviews along the way.  

The trail is paved but does climb steeply.  Walt determined he would wait for me and while I met a few people on the trail it was generally quiet and serene. 

One side of the trail has views to the red rock lined canyons.

 The other side gives you a hint of the immensity of the canyon.  

It goes on and on and on. 

The average elevation on the North Rim is 8000 feet and you have the advantage of that height looking to the South Rim.

We took the winding scenic drive to Cape Royal and Point Imperial.   

From there you can see the Colorado River way down there.  

Each place we go I always have a favorite.  Here it is Angels Window. In a rock outcropping years of erosion created a hole that gives a spectacular view of the Colorado River and the canyon.

Wotans Throne is pretty impressive too. 

 

 

Every now and then we take a picture of us as confirmation that we have really been there.  :-)

 

 

 

 

Point Imperial is the highest point at 8803 feet.  It is at the eastern end of the Grand Canyon.  It was a hazy day and the views were eerily beautiful.

We lingered until the sun was low and the shadows were long.

A hard place to leave. 

"Night is a world lit by itself." - Antonio Porchia

 

 

 

On the Road with Walt & Barb

• Home
• Abou

 

Lake Powell Revisted

Is the water level up?  We hoped so and took a drive to see.

There is water around Lone Rock.  That is a good sign.

Boats of all kinds with people enjoying the water.  I had flip flops on and I found that the sand is HOT! And it is only June.  

This is the water level at Wahweap on April 16, 2014

And on June 2, 2014.   Slightly up but certainly not as much as we had hoped. 

 

 

 

 

 

On April 16, 2014

 

 

 

On June 2, 2014

A slight improvement can be seen.  I hope those summer monsoons bring a lot of rain.

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, the beauty of water in the desert. 

Water, water, water....There is no shortage of water in the desert but exactly the right amount , a perfect ratio of water to rock, water to sand, insuring that wide free open, generous spacing among plants and animals, homes and towns and cities, which makes the arid West so different from any other part of the nation. There is no lack of water here unless you try to establish a city where no city should be. 
Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness

 

 

 

Old Paria

So Worth the Time to Check out the Scenery

The road to Paria had been on our list to go to.  Some people had told Walt "Don't waste your time, there is nothing left there" but a back country road is too good to pass up.  And, were they ever wrong.  While the old movie set and the townsite are gone the terrain is worth seeing.

The contrasting scenery starts just a few miles into the drive.  

Rocky red cliffs and a smooth sandstone dome show the differences that abound in the area.

Incredible colors go from white to red to purple to blue to gray in the badland canyon. 

The road goes down a steep decline into the valley.  The road is very primitive and there are many warnings about not attempting to drive it in any kind of wet weather.  I can see why. 

This is the portion of the road that goes down to the Paria River and me, being Nervous Nelly, didn't want to chance getting stuck in the sand so we parked on higher, solid ground and walked to the river.

Hard to believe that this little river has the potential to do so much damage.  The area was settled in the early 1870's.  At that time it was known as Pahreah and it grew to 47 families.  But around the mid 1880's flash flooding every year washed away much of the farmland and even some buildings. People began to leave and by 1914 even the post office had closed.  There are not many remnants of the settlement.  The most preserved is the Cemetery.  

In the 40's, 50's & 60's this area was used to film many western movies most notably the Rat Pack film Sergeants 3.  Flash flooding severly damaged the set in 1998 and a team of volunteers and Bureau of Land Management Employees rebuilt the structures in 1999 to 2001.  In 2006 the rebuilt set was destroyed by fire that they feel was arson. 

The view on one side of the road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The view on the other side of the road.  A study in contrasts.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

"There is a peculiar pleasure in riding out into the unknown. A pleasure which no second journey on the same trail ever affords "– Edith Durham

Kanab Happenings

A Little of This and a Little of That.

Today we went to the Kanab Heritage Museum and the woman working there (amazingly older than me) wanted to know if we had any ties to Kanab.  I told her that I had lived here in 1957 to 1959 during my Jr. High School years and her comment was "Oh, you were one of those dam kids".  Yep, that I was. One of the kids whose fathers were working on the Glen Canyon Dam.   55 years and the social stigma still exists.

Smokin' Harley

 

3 Harley riders had filled up their tanks at the station on the corner and pulled out and by the time it reached the block where we are one was on fire.  The rider laid it down and it burned and burned and burned.  Thank heaven he got off.  They were from Oregon so a long way from home.  Ruined vacation but they will always have a story to tell.

Back to the Rocking V Cafe

This is the Cafe that had the crazy Help Wanted Ad.  This time they did have employees.  I wonder if they are abiding by all the requirements.  Our service was good. 

I had the Chicken and Mushroom Alfredo and Walt had Bacon Wrapped Bison Meatloaf.  The presentation was nice but both of us agreed that the flavor of our dish was just OK.  But, that won't keep me from coming back for the Key Lime Pie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing Earthfest

Each year in May Kanab has a week-long Festival celebrating the wonders of our planet.  The events range from guided hikes, film documentaries, presentations on a wide range of environmental issues,  horseback rides, and many live musical and dance performances.  We attended the Arvel Bird concert at the Crescent Moon Theatre.  

He is half Paitue Indian and half Scottish so he wears his native Indian gear on the top and his Scottish Kilt on the bottom.  Quite a showman and oh, how he can play the flute and the fiddle.  His music is a combination of Celtic, rock and folk.  I especially loved it when he played the flute. He toured with Glen Campbell, Loretta Lynn, Tom T. Hall and others but now tours on his own.  Very enjoyable evening.

Tom's Canyon Trail

Kanab has a Master Plan for hiking trails and a network of existing trails is already in place.  The trailheads are in various places in the city and several connect with each other.  We hiked the Tom's Canyon Trail one morning and plan on hiking several of the others.  We always seem to hop in the car and head out to adventures further out so we need to make it a plan to stay closer some days.

 The trailhead is in a subdivision and you head out on an old road.

The red rock cliffs echo every sound.

There are a few places you have to naviagate the rocks.

There are a lot of the willows that Kanab (in Pauite "Place of Willows") was named after. 

Walt found a great rock to lean on for a rest.

There was a nice rock picnic table near the end of the trail.  Since it was just a morning hike we hadn't brought a lunch so we sat awhile enjoying the peacefulness.  

Often when we are out for just a short hike I do not take my camera and rely on my phone for photos. While we sat at the picnic table I played with the settings and decided that in black and white this picture was just like many scenes in the old western movies.  Beautiful even if it is not in color.

 

 

 

There are many cactus blooming right now.  So pretty. I wish the blossoms would last longer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walt swears that this country is just one big anthill.  He may be right..............everywhere there is red dirt there are ants.

“Every ant  knows the  formula of its ant-hill,
every  bee knows  the formula  of its  beehive.
They know it  in their own way, not in our way.
Only humankind does not know its own formula.”

― Fyodor Dostoyevsky

 

Lovely view of Kanab below the red rocks on our return.

"People must feel that the natural world is important and valuable and beautiful and wonderful and an amazement and a pleasure."

David Attenborough

A Visit from Family

Yay!  Kevin and Isaac come to Kanab for a Week-end.

We were so excited to see them.  We miss our family.

And of course that calls for a hike.  Ever since I have been in Kanab I have been searching for a place that when I was here in Jr. High School we called "Slides and Cracks".  When the rains would come you would climb to the top and slide down the wet Slickrock.  Best fun ever. I remembered it was not too long of a drive (for the parent taking us) & I was sure it was toward Zion. No one I talked to had any idea where it was so I started searching the internet and yes you can find anything on the internet.  It is called "Many Pools" now and is one of the lesser known hikes in Zion.  I had an idea that it wasn't somewhere that Walt would be able to go because of the climb up the slickrock so I was excited that with Kevin and Isaac here I would have someone to go with me.

This is the start of the trail (well, really there is no trail, just a climb up the Slickrock following where the water runs and pools) and the only place we saw other hikers and they were on their way out. 

This was the turnaround point for Walt.  That slickrock climb is not for him.   Those fake knees don't work for this kind of stuff.

Not long into the climb Isaac tried out a dry run of where I slid down when it was wet with water running after a rain.  The original old fashioned waterslide. 

Some of the area is flat and all of the scenery is gorgeous.

 The climb continues.  Kevin and I just put our heads down and climbed but Isaac................................

went up, down, around and through like a mountain goat. 

 

 

 

These are the reasons it is 

 

 

 

 

    

now known as "Many Pools". 

 

There are many of them and most have water in them throughout the year.  The more rain the better. 

 

 

    

We just avoided them when we were sliding down, you didn't want to get in one and not be able to get out.  When they are full they can be deep and the slick sides can make it impossible to get out.

The pools are full of these little fellows.  

 

That grow up to be these happy little guys.  There are so many tadpoles that in another month or two when they all grow up there will be a great "croaking" symphony. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a picture of what we called the cracks.  When you were young and skinny you could slide right through it when it was wet. 

And this would have been a long route.  I wonder if anyone does that anymore.  I don't think so.........they probably have the good sense now to worry about flash floods. 

 Thanks Kevin and Isaac for making it possible for me to hike this.   From there we headed on down the road to Springdale for a nice picnic lunch.  Happy, Happy Day! 

"A well-spent day brings happy sleep."      

Leonardo da Vinci

Slept like a log!