Thursday, November 12, 2015
Transiting Navajo Territories from Bluff, UT to Zion National Park
Zion National Park - Watchman Campground - Site B 41 - Nov. 12, 2015
Yesterday was the second day in a row we were just floored with the scenery and the adventure of traveling on the road. The prior day we had come down from Colorado to Bluff, UT, and passed through some "drop-dead" canyonlands along the Colorado River leading into Moab, UT. (50 National Parks within driving distance of this spot.) The territory leading up into the La Sal Mountains is just stunning.
Bluff, UT is an interesting little town with a LONG history.
And features the Navajo Twins, looming right over "downtown".
Our Campground was situated right underneath some amazing native american (3000 year old) Petroglyphs.
Next we drove across Navajo Indian territory toward Page, AZ and Lake Powell. Transiting the Monument Valley.
Square Butte.
And alongside Navajo Mountain.
Before entering the Escalante Grand Staircase National Monument and on into Page, AZ then along to the entrance to Zion National Park where we had to have a tunnel shut down for our "wide load" R-Pod (anything wider than 74" requires one way traffic in one of their narrow tunnels (an extra $15 too! ;(
Yesterday was the second day in a row we were just floored with the scenery and the adventure of traveling on the road. The prior day we had come down from Colorado to Bluff, UT, and passed through some "drop-dead" canyonlands along the Colorado River leading into Moab, UT. (50 National Parks within driving distance of this spot.) The territory leading up into the La Sal Mountains is just stunning.
Bluff, UT is an interesting little town with a LONG history.
And features the Navajo Twins, looming right over "downtown".
Our Campground was situated right underneath some amazing native american (3000 year old) Petroglyphs.
Next we drove across Navajo Indian territory toward Page, AZ and Lake Powell. Transiting the Monument Valley.
Square Butte.
And alongside Navajo Mountain.
Before entering the Escalante Grand Staircase National Monument and on into Page, AZ then along to the entrance to Zion National Park where we had to have a tunnel shut down for our "wide load" R-Pod (anything wider than 74" requires one way traffic in one of their narrow tunnels (an extra $15 too! ;(
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
We're moving to Moab, UT!
Watchman Campground, Springdale, UT - Zion National Park, 11/11/15
Before we got here, we came a LONG WAY. First, thanks Mark and Terri, had a great time in Lafayette, CO. Left on Monday, having a tour of Celestial Seasonings manufacturing facility in Boulder, CO (Sleepytime Way), where we managed to fit in lunch with our daughter Sophie!
After a quick bite in their cafe, we bolted for the Western slope of Colorado, staying in Colorado River State Park (Robb, Island Acres Campground) between I-70 and a train track (don't expect silence!). But we were rewarded with our best drive of the trip the next day, traveling through Moab, UT on the way to Bluff, UT.
Starting to see "unbelievable" scenery. Truly neck breaking, as you scan to try to take it all in.
Then, after a nice lunch in a Thai restaurant at Moab, we motored through a snowstorm, and more Mule deer than I've ever seen (we probably saw 40+) migrating through Monticello, UT. We saw Wilson Arch:
And Church Butte:
And arrived safely at a BLM campground, Sand Island, in Bluff, UT where we had a quiet, but blustery night.
Before we got here, we came a LONG WAY. First, thanks Mark and Terri, had a great time in Lafayette, CO. Left on Monday, having a tour of Celestial Seasonings manufacturing facility in Boulder, CO (Sleepytime Way), where we managed to fit in lunch with our daughter Sophie!
After a quick bite in their cafe, we bolted for the Western slope of Colorado, staying in Colorado River State Park (Robb, Island Acres Campground) between I-70 and a train track (don't expect silence!). But we were rewarded with our best drive of the trip the next day, traveling through Moab, UT on the way to Bluff, UT.
Starting to see "unbelievable" scenery. Truly neck breaking, as you scan to try to take it all in.
Then, after a nice lunch in a Thai restaurant at Moab, we motored through a snowstorm, and more Mule deer than I've ever seen (we probably saw 40+) migrating through Monticello, UT. We saw Wilson Arch:
And Church Butte:
And arrived safely at a BLM campground, Sand Island, in Bluff, UT where we had a quiet, but blustery night.
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Hanging out along the Front Range near Denver, Colorado
My Brother's Place - Lafayette, CO - November 8, 2015
Broke camp in the SNOW in Santa Fe, NM on Thursday AM and headed North on I-25 in the direction of Denver, CO. Saw Antelope along the way up to and past the Raton Pass. Stopped for a break and lunch in Trinidad, CO and made it to Pueblo where we camped at a nice lakeside spot at Lake Pueblo State Park.
Broke camp in the SNOW in Santa Fe, NM on Thursday AM and headed North on I-25 in the direction of Denver, CO. Saw Antelope along the way up to and past the Raton Pass. Stopped for a break and lunch in Trinidad, CO and made it to Pueblo where we camped at a nice lakeside spot at Lake Pueblo State Park.
The campground featured really nice hiking trails in the hills alongside the lake. The campground was literally "crawling" with rabbits, particularly at dusk and dawn.
Next we were headed for my brother's place in Lafayette, CO (North of Denver and East of Boulder). Stopped along the way in Colorado Springs at the Garden of the Gods, Geologic site.
Can't believe this place was FREE to
visit. What an amazing resource for Colorado Springs. Excellent, super
modern visitor center with helpful, informative volunteers. Extremely well
laid out road and trail system for visitors to these amazing geologic
wonders. Truly awe inspiring.
Finally made it to Lafayette where the R-Pod was happy to park at Mark's house. Where you can spy Balloons every morning and play Pinball to your heart's content!
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Pecos Pueblo - Over one thousand years of history
November 4, 2015 - Santa Fe, NM
Pecos National Historical Park in nearby Pecos, NM celebrates the 1200 year history of Pecos Indians inhabiting this enormous and strategically situated Pueblo. The strategic location below the Glorieta Pass and, on a height of land providing views to warn of approaching attack was ideal for habitation.
Their culture featured social and ceremonial meetings in subterranean Kivas:
These featured ceremonies to the various gods and spirits to provide for crops, rain, good hunting, health and success in battle:
Spanish arrived and created an enormous Mission complex, now in ruins.
Pecos National Historical Park in nearby Pecos, NM celebrates the 1200 year history of Pecos Indians inhabiting this enormous and strategically situated Pueblo. The strategic location below the Glorieta Pass and, on a height of land providing views to warn of approaching attack was ideal for habitation.
Their culture featured social and ceremonial meetings in subterranean Kivas:
These featured ceremonies to the various gods and spirits to provide for crops, rain, good hunting, health and success in battle:
Spanish arrived and created an enormous Mission complex, now in ruins.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Enjoying Santa Fe, NM - Nature, History, Family
November 3, 2015 - Santa Fe, NM - KOA Kampground
Rolled into town a couple of days ago. We've already stopped and touched base with 2 Rugg cousins, Satto and Ken, and we'll see Aunt Bobby and Uncle Bill for lunch tomorrow!
The stunning, nearby snow-capped peaks, crystal clear 7,400 elevation air, days of 100% sunshine and mid-60's temps have been a real treat, despite being winded both walking and working-out.
The Native American, Spanish and other church History is amazing here. What an approachable small city Santa Fe is, we had no idea. We were able to roll right into town from our campground and park right close to the center of Old Santa Fe. First stop, the Basilica of St. Francis Assisi
We've also had chances to visit the San Miguel Mission the oldest church structure in the USA (ca. 1610):
And enjoyed some peaceful moments in the Santuaria de Guadalupe:
Santa Fe is a cool Booming Arts town (number 2 Art market in the country). Here's a sculpture buddy in Old Burro Alley:
Connie's favorites are the kinetic sculptures:
We've also visited both the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, and the New Mexico Museum of Art: Great exhibits of both O'Keeffe, and other New Mexico artists:
Here's an O'Keeffe sculpture (she's really good on "folds")
And an homage to O'Keeffe by David Bradley a la 'Whistlers Mother' (which we just saw at the Clark in Williamstown, MA)
And I was particularly impressed with the Architecture, murals, and courtyards of the New Mexico Museum of Art building itself:
We haven't even begun to investigate the History of the Santa Fe Trail that terminates here, and our campground is right on the Old Route 66!
Rolled into town a couple of days ago. We've already stopped and touched base with 2 Rugg cousins, Satto and Ken, and we'll see Aunt Bobby and Uncle Bill for lunch tomorrow!
The stunning, nearby snow-capped peaks, crystal clear 7,400 elevation air, days of 100% sunshine and mid-60's temps have been a real treat, despite being winded both walking and working-out.
The Native American, Spanish and other church History is amazing here. What an approachable small city Santa Fe is, we had no idea. We were able to roll right into town from our campground and park right close to the center of Old Santa Fe. First stop, the Basilica of St. Francis Assisi
We've also had chances to visit the San Miguel Mission the oldest church structure in the USA (ca. 1610):
And enjoyed some peaceful moments in the Santuaria de Guadalupe:
Santa Fe is a cool Booming Arts town (number 2 Art market in the country). Here's a sculpture buddy in Old Burro Alley:
Connie's favorites are the kinetic sculptures:
We've also visited both the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, and the New Mexico Museum of Art: Great exhibits of both O'Keeffe, and other New Mexico artists:
Here's an O'Keeffe sculpture (she's really good on "folds")
And an homage to O'Keeffe by David Bradley a la 'Whistlers Mother' (which we just saw at the Clark in Williamstown, MA)
And I was particularly impressed with the Architecture, murals, and courtyards of the New Mexico Museum of Art building itself:
We haven't even begun to investigate the History of the Santa Fe Trail that terminates here, and our campground is right on the Old Route 66!
Sunday, November 1, 2015
What you see when you're driving
Santa Fe, NM - November 1, 2015
Came out of the "optically flat" plains of Western Oklahoma and North Texas, and into the High Desert Sage and Scrub of the approaches to Santa Fe, NM. You never know what you'll see on the road: Hawks hunting the roadside, lots of Meadowlarks, saw our first road Roadrunner this morning. We saw our first pronghorn antelope yesterday, but saw bunches today:
And we are beginning to get into the rock formations I've been looking forward to of the desert SW
And you'll see other wildlife you may or may not expect. Like Mule Deer for example:
Or Llamas!
But then you have to stop for lunch, and All of the Sudden, your "Big Rig" becomes Chang again (Chang is from Tikitikitembo No Sa Rembo, and means "little or nothing")
Came out of the "optically flat" plains of Western Oklahoma and North Texas, and into the High Desert Sage and Scrub of the approaches to Santa Fe, NM. You never know what you'll see on the road: Hawks hunting the roadside, lots of Meadowlarks, saw our first road Roadrunner this morning. We saw our first pronghorn antelope yesterday, but saw bunches today:
And we are beginning to get into the rock formations I've been looking forward to of the desert SW
And you'll see other wildlife you may or may not expect. Like Mule Deer for example:
Or Llamas!
But then you have to stop for lunch, and All of the Sudden, your "Big Rig" becomes Chang again (Chang is from Tikitikitembo No Sa Rembo, and means "little or nothing")
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