In Moab and volunteering for the National Park Service

Short blog to make sure that everyone knows that we are in Moab, UT and planning on stayng here for the month of November, but probably longer. We are volunteering in Arches and Canyonlands as trail roves.

Hiking every day and having the time of our lives. Will post more about our adventures in Moab, but for right now we are off to the Moab Brewery for a well deserved beer.

Black Ridge Canyon Wilderness

Rattlesnake Canyon, the 2nd highly concentration of natural arches in the United States, located in the Black Ridge Canyon Wilderness. One more wilderness to add to our list. It is a beautiful area that few people venture to see. First reason is mainly the location. There is only one road that gets to out to this remote location, one through Glade Park, CO. The other end of the road goes through Colorado National Monument. We had a week pass so went in through the park. It is a mere 13 miles from the turn off of the main road to the trailhead. But be aware those 13 miles took us over an hour to cover. It is probably one of the worse roads that we have driven on in awhile. The last 2 miles were the worse. Once at the trailhead we started down our hike. The whole hike is 3 miles out, not a loop. The first 2 miles takes out around the ridge with some scenic views but it is when you finally get around the ridge that you get the scenery.

One arch after the other in a mile distance.

This is one fantastic area. In the whole time that we were there we did not see another person.

This was probably one of my favorite hikes that we did.

Every time you rounded a corner, another arch or just scenic view awaited you.

If you have an extra day when in the Colorado National Monument Area, definitely do this hike. No People, great arches and classic desert scenery.

Why do bad things happen to good people in a kayak?

Flaming Gorge Reservoir; alias 40 MPH Winds Lake.

It all started out so perfect. Beautiful blue sun filled skies. No winds. Mid 60's. Who could possible ask for more. It was so calm that you could almost see a perfect reflection in the water. We paddled across this pristine reservoir savoring every moment, every sight, every sound.

Flaming Gorge holds many secrets, one of them we would find out about later in the day. As we entered the narrow section that is actually "Flaming Gorge", we noticed a bald eagle high on the wall to our left.

To see this magnificent bird in its natural environment is amazing.

We slowly paddled by the eagle as to not disturb it and also to just appreciate the opportunity.

We paddled on through the gorge and decided that at about 3 miles out, we would stop on a beach and have lunch. We sat on a beach and enjoyed chicken, fruit and a bottle of wine. Just relaxing in the sunshine and appreciating the surroundings.

It is important at this point to let you know that we did check the weather forecast before we left. Winds in the afternoon 8-10 mph in a eastern direction. Even if the wind got harder then that we would have been fine since that direction would simply push us towards the dock 3 miles away.

But NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. The wind this afternoon was out of the NW and coming up fast. We decided to start paddling back before the wind picked up worse. In a matter of 5 minutes the wind went from 0 mph to 15 mph i. We ended up pulling into a beach area and putting on our spray skirt because the water was already starting to come in over the sides. As we approached the gorge narrows the wind actually decreased and we had a brief break before entering the open main lake area. As we approached the open water, the wind continued to build. By the time we exited the gorge the wind was at 30-40 mph and blowing northwest. Not towards to the dock, but towards the rock walls.

We paddled to the first area that we could beach the kayak. A small rocky area a good 2 miles from the dock. Once we got onto shore we tried several approaches; trying to walk kayak on the shoreline, nope waves too big. Carrying kayak over land, nope to heavy. Finally I looked at John and went,"Let's just hide the kayak behind one of the big rocks and hike out. We can always come and get the boat tomorrow.

So a 2 1/5 mile hike out to the car ensued. By the time we got to the dock the waves were coming over the top of the dock. This picture does not even begin to show the whitecaps on the lake, but compare this to the first picture. Same Lake!

Anyway the next day we hiked back out, got into the kayak and paddled out on crystal smooth waters.

Again I wonder why bad things happen to good people in kayaks

Fleeting thoughts of retired minds. or I cant remember shit anymore

I know now why I need to blog. Simply because of the fact that I can not remember what we did yesterday, let alone a month ago. So I am going to try and go back through the dusty archives of my brain cells and try to bring everyone (and myself) up to date.





At last posting we were in Whitebird, Id after leaving Spokane 2 weeks later then planned. John's dad needed cataract surgery, so we stayed in town until he was released to drive. Anyway we left for Whitebird and we headed to Hagerman, Id. Why you asked do you go to Hagerman, Id, well hot springs for one reason and to kayak an area called "Thousand Springs".


The water was amazingly clear and we spent the day on the water. About 8 miles down the road is a placed called Miracle Hot Springs, where you can rent your own private pool room. The first night we just stayed in the main pool area, but the next night we rented a private spot.



Highly recommend spending the extra $2.oo.









We left Hagerman, Id for Craters of the Moon National Monument. It is a really interesting place to go to, even if all the time you have is to drive around the park. We decided that we wanted to camp in the back country, so we got our permit for Echo Crater. It is about a 4 mile hike to the crater.

The area was beautiful and quiet. We had spaghetti for dinner and ended up inside the tent at 8:00. The wind had come up and it got freaking cold. We got back out of our sleeping bags at about 1:00 am to see the stars. Nothing like being away from cities to get blown away by the numbers of stars in the sky. The next morning we hiked out and planned on hiking through the lava tubes on our way out. When we arrived at the trailhead there was a HUGE bus of elementary school kids there to hike through the tubes as well. Needless to say, I had forgotten to get my frontal lobotomy performed, so I was not overly receptive to hiking with 50 screaming kids. We decided another time. (For Sarah: Bear Spray is all I have to say)

After leaving Craters of the Moon we headed for Lava Hot Springs. Yep, we were hiking and hot springing our way down to Moab. Seemed like a great plan to us. Unfortunately when we got to Lava, the park that we were planning on staying at had turned there water off, so instead of staying several days, we only stayed on night. We did however enjoy the hot springs.

Next stop, Rock Springs, WY. This was to be our access point into Flaming Gorge Reservoir. We took the jeep out to scout the area and found a rv park in Dutch John, which was about 5 minutes from the trailheads that we wanted to hike. There will be more on that is the next blog.

We left Flaming gorge after spending four days. (again more later) and drove to Fruita Colorado. Spent 4 days in the that area before heading to Moab.

Okay now you know that we are in Moab. I really do need to blog about Flaming Gorge and the Colorado national monument. So read this first and then see if I have actually gotten around to the other blogs. The flaming gorge one will be good.

Backwoods Idahoans Doing Their Part For The Environment

Just when you think that the only concerns that the backwoods people from Idaho have is to make sure that they have the current addition of "Deliverance Monthly", they show us all that they can be environmental activists. With all the turmoil and strife over dams on the Snake River, as well as numerous others, these Idahoans have shown that they are keeping abreast (not the anatomical way either) of current engineering advances to assist in the preservation of water species. Take for instance the Steel head variety that are fished heavily in the Salmon and Snake Rivers. There has been lengthy discussions in the environmental community regarding both the positive and negative attributes of "fish ladders" to help migrating species passed our inappropriately placed dams. Well let me tell you, the backwoods people of Idaho have found the solution.

So Simple.

So Ingenious.

So Perfectly Idaho.

I present the "BACKWOODS IDAHO FISH LADDER"

These fish ladders can be seen traveling the roads of Idaho. Carrying their precious steel head cargo beyond and around the dams and be deposited into the local waste water treatment plants to be borne again and flushed down our pristine rivers.

See how the fish seems stress-free. No dam turbines, no slimy steps to jump up, no expenditure of energy. They can save all of that for the BIG SPAWN.

It will be because of these ingenious and sacrificing souls that future generations will be able to enjoy the opportunity to fish this magnificent species.

So here's to you, you clever little Idahoan. Here's to You!

Natural Hot Springs Sans Bathing Suits

Baker Hot Springs, located approximately 20 miles outside of Sedro Wooley, Wa on Forest Service RD #1144. A short 1/4 mile hike to a beautiful natural hot springs. The day that John and I decided to hike there it was raining and about 55 degrees. What a better way to spend the day, I mean if you are going to get wet anyways, it might as well be in 100 degree water.

I have to admit that this was our first experience with natural hot springs that offer clothing as "optional". When we first pulled into the parking area off the side of the road there was already (2) cars parked there. One vacant and one that had a gentleman sitting in it. I decided to make sure that the trail we were thinking led to the hot springs was indeed correct. He gladly responded that it was, it was a short hike and that he was "thinking of going back up again". This we found odd. If he was already sitting in his car and ready to leave, why go back. John assumed that it was for a free viewing of me. I jokingly laughed and said that maybe it was him that the guy was interested in. We decided no big deal, lets just head up to the hot springs and check it out.

It is literally a 5-10 minute walk to the hot springs where I saw a pair of shorts hanging off of a log and saw the white outline of the male butt in the hot springs. No problem. We decide that we can still soak for awhile for god sakes. The guy in the pool starts talking to us, really nice guy, making sure that we understand the clothing is optional. We said yes we know and no problem as long as he doesn't mind that we wear bathing suits. Shortly after we arrived the guy from the parking lot shows back up, removes his clothes and gets into the hot springs. He stayed for about an hour and then left, which was fine as he was alitle odd. The other gentleman was with us for about 2 hours. It turns out that he is a 70 year old nudist minister. That provided several interesting conversations of which John and I really had to hold our tongues. He also takes it upon himself to maintain the hot springs by removing sediment and garbage. He would go there at least 3 times a week and wants to make sure that the springs are always nice to use.

After he left I talked John into bathing au natural. I mean if you are in Rome do as the Romans do. I have to admit that for awhile I was a little paranoid. I mean what if someone saw us. Then I thought, what if they do. It is not like we are likely to ever see these people again.

I will probably never be a full fledged nudist, but for that little time, I did understand the freedom that they feel. Where you stop worrying about what other people might think and just appreciate your body for the fact that it allowed you to hike to places like this in the first place.

For the first time I actually just experienced the moment, maybe because it was something that I never pictured myself doing. To step outside of that "comfort zone" that we spend far too much time in. Narrowing our adventures to preconceived notions of right and wrong, good or bad.

Am I ready to explore this new activity with people who I know, probably not. Have I ruled it out as a possibility in the future. Who knows. Once we let ourselves experience new ideas, we move the boundaries that we forced ourselves into. My boundary on this maybe will only go so far, but maybe it relaxed other boundaries that I was always to afraid to explore.

Here's to the future of new adventures and experiences!

Fungi Magic

Fungi Magic. No, not those kinds of mushrooms. Not the ones that you smoke or consume, but just ones that you see and go "WOW, that is freaky.

That what i felt when I saw this.

It is probably the most beautiful mushroom to date that I have seen.

The orange color is something that I have never seen before. It is in a campsite at Deception Pass State Park. After taking several pictures I wondered if it would make it through the weekend. We are expecting the campground to be full, Oyster Run Motorcycle Rally is this weekend, and the weather is actually suppose to be nice. I have no idea how long this mushroom as been there, but hope that the people that camp in this spot will find the same fascination as I did and leave it alone. For all of those previous campers, thanks for letting nature be.

I have found a new interest in mushrooms. I do however realize that the little cheater charts that you can buy do not nearly cover the vast varieties of mushrooms out there. So instead of trying to figure out which one is which, I have decided to just photo them and appreciate the differences. A lot less stressful.