U(ough)tah Been There...

No excuses, I just haven't much felt like posting. Blog ennui, re-entry to regular life, whatever.  But I finally got around to uploading the pictures from the trip to Utah, and my-O-my.  Jayne and Edge and Neena have posted some great pictures.  Here are my lot.  When I figure out how to post an album in the sidebar, I'll give you more.
Here's the tribe (minus Ruthie & Eric & Ed) having lunch at a cafe in Escalante.

Left to right, that's Jayne, Neena, Don, Edge & the Pilot.  Sucking down that Wasatch brew. We discovered that you're not bound by the 3/2 beer law in Utah if you brew AND sell only in Utah.  I think you can go all the way up to a whopping 5 % alcohol.  Hold me back.  Remember I promised you lessons in Life Under the Theocracy?    Anyway. Someone came up with the idea of a Nano Brewery.  Even smaller than a Micro Brewery.  Basically, it will be a couple of kegs under the counter at Neena's She-Devil Grill.  Are you in?  I figure I'll have the storefront next door with massage, yarn, a few books and an espresso machine.  Room for a couple of massage tables in the back with cafe tables, yarn and books in the front. Works for me...
Here's the caravan up the Burr Trail off of route 12   

This is about where the blond sand of the slickrock turns to the red rock dirt of the canyons.
Here's the view from the campsite in the morning when sun has just lifted over the mesas.

Here's Edge & Neena & Don scoping out the campsite.

Heading down the trail toward Upper Calf Creek Falls.

Right as we were getting out of the cars and heading for the trail head, a guy came walking out of a trail at the opposite side of the parking area.  Stripped to the waist, lean and long, built like a ripped climber, tousled mane of blond/brown hair...you could hear audible clicks as we (the women, anyway) snapped our slack jaws back in place.  Dude.  This is god's country in more ways than one.  O for my misspent yout'...ahem.

We did surely hike down this vertical bit of slick rock.

Hiking back up later kicked my ass, or more accurately, my heart and lungs. Not sure if it was lack of aerobic fitness or the altitude. But it was 10-20 steps and pause. Edge and I took our time. He did better than I did and Ruthie kindly hung back with us to keep us company. 

The land here is a combination of the Navajo sandstone slickrock almost white in color, and chocolate brown lava rocks spewn out by ancient volcanos hereabouts. It makes for an interesting contrast. Here's a shot of some of the rippled sandstone under our feet. Neena's happy toes for scale.

Since this is still spring (at that altitude), there were lots of small, brilliant flowers on the hardy plants that can weather the extremes of climate here.   Here's a claret cup.

Upper Calf Creek Falls

Here's Ruthie and Jayne taking the leap...

What  I love best about the land here?  It puts humanity in the proper perspective.  I love the sense that we're a bunch of fleas arguing about who owns the dog.

Next up, Zion, Bryce & Boulder, Utah. 

Comments

[Debi]

Simply BEAUTIFUL!

[margene]

We traveled the Burr Trail often before it was paved. Haven't really been back since. Sounds and looks like a fabulous trip! We're doing Zion next weekend.

[Neena]

Ahh, lovely memories......

[Jayne]

Great photos, fond memories : )