Next was a drive up the one lane dirt road country highway that parallels Onion Creek. Since we are no longer allowed to drive in the creek, we hiked down just to get this shot of the bridge from the narrows. There's no way to describe the brilliance and hue of the morning colors.
How pretty is it?
After a long drive, we finally reached the top of Polar Mesa. There was a fantastic view of the valley and of the La Sals from here. The problem is that everything is so far away, the slight haze remaining from the morning made these photos really suck.
So after a short lunch and a little hike to some of the uranium mines, we headed out to the last of the mines and found an old outhouse.
Why the hell Graham would stick his head into the pit to see what was in there is beyond me.
But after all that effort, with a snowball in one hand and a bone from who-knows-where in the other, Graham seems to be completely satisfied. (Yeah, there WILL certainly be payback for this photo!)
Once again, photos from today really suck. This is Castle Valley from the Loop Road. The weather was perfect, the sky was blue, the air was crisp and clean. While we were on the trails, it was another great day as we headed up into the La Sals.
On the way up, all of a sudden this stupid cow comes running across the road right in front of the FN JP. Missed the animal by probably less than 10 feet at 40 mph. Brakes applied, skid marks left on the road to attest to the effectiveness of the brakes. Graham gets on the radio and starts laughing his ass off. It was a lot funnier there than what it sounds like here. Even the narrative sucks today.
We took another detour to get to Geyser Pass in the La Sals. After the leader erroneously went to Oowah Lake instead, we finally made it to the Geyser Pass road and for about 5 miles were rewarded with a delightful snow run.
Today wore us out completely. 133 most excellent miles in the Jeep.
So a pizza at Isabella's, a couple beers, back to the RV and collapse. This was a LONG and tiring day, but a good one on the trail. And yes, I got a sunburn on my lower lip - AGAIN. This will hurt for the next week.
It's SO hard to decide what photos to put on these pages. At times those selected look good, then a while later others look better. And how does one put up just a few photos that depict an entire day's worth of fun, laughter and spectacular scenery? (That was a rhetorical question.)
We met Graham, Dave, Eric and Sherri (Dave's son and daughter-in-law) at the South Maverick gas station at at 9. As usual, there were a number of folks who recognized us and stopped by to chat..and chat...and chat. During that chatting time we were also entertained by some Russian tourists, on their way from New Jersey to New York. These 3 guys and a very nice looking companion were parked next to us for a while. They, in turn, were entertained by picking up quite a few live 22 shells from the ground in front of the gas station. They seemed puzzled. I finally said "Cowboys and indians, bang bang!" THAT they understood. They laughed a lot and said a bunch of Russian stuff. Then we strongly urged they discard said shells before attempting to return to Russia on an airplane. Not sure they totally understood. DASVIDANYA! Jeez, I LOVE Moab.
With that delightful interchange, we took off for Strike Ravine. After a few miles, we got to a gnarly spot that sadly required some road building and a strap on 3 of the 4 vehicles to keep them from tipping over. (Decorum prohibits me from disclosing the person who didn't require a strap.)
Once over this spot, we completed the "country road" that
runs through the property that some greenies bought to try and close
the trail road. Well, "Up yours!" It didn't work. Ha
ha ha!
Even the low rider can flex - but only a little :(
After climbing the "Big Ugly" (yeah, all
the obstacles seem to have names) we then went down into a canyon and
back up again. Once again, the weather was perfect and the scenery
was spectacular.
On the way out of the canyon, there was this off camber spot on the trail. Words cannot express how much Graham enjoyed this spot.
So after this, we stopped by a uranium mine and poked around with the geiger counter for a while before leaving and taking the Pole Canyon Road about 17 miles over to La Sal, the town.
Along the route to La Sal, the town, Dave took us to an overlook of the valley and Highway 191. Here's Graham, contemplating the view.
After a short visit to Dave and Debi's place in La Sal, the town, we headed out to Lisbon Valley.
While the scenery was great, the most fascinating view were the dinosaur tracks embedded in the slickrock. There are a number of these tracks and it appeared as if the raptor was running. Too bad that some assholes have actually chipped out some of these tracks to take home and display or perhaps sell. Offline I could propose a solution to this abomination.
From there, Dave went his way and we went ours, 30 miles back to Moab where Graham so generously purchased dinner and a sufficient quantity beer at the brewery. We sat outside to watch the folly and were entertained by the "Landys" that were arriving and competing for a parking spot. (A "Landy" is the Brit's term for a Land Rover.) There's a confluence of these overpriced vehicles here for a rally this weekend. Graham was appalled at my comments as these "trail rated" vehicles, usually owned only by the filthy rich, arrived and people tried to get seating at the Brewery.
Then a quick trip back "home" and finish this. Here endeth the day.
A Dissertation on Rubys I'm compelled to write about these vehicles. First: WOW! The FN JP, aka the low-rider, impresses me greatly. Who needs 35s? This rig performed exceptionally well on the trails so far. It performs even better on bumpy trails where the DAM JP would knock your fillings out. No straps - not once. Very few scrapes. There were very few times when I scratched my butt (the Rubys, that is, not mine.) There were surprisingly few times the lockers were even needed. Now at some point the long wheelbase will prove to be a disadvantage, but thus far on this trip, we could not be happier with the vehicle. (But it will still need larger tires to look "cool." :) Secondly: Graham's rent-a-Ruby is very entertaining. While it's not an extended, it's been working very well for him and despite several tries, has remained shiny side up. What makes a good story is the rental agreement. Apparently after paying an exorbitant amount of money for one week's usage, there were also a crap load of papers to sign agreeing to pay for just about anything that needs to be done, including washing the vehicle if not cleaned properly upon return. Many of these potential assessments are called "fines" and an agreement was signed to pay pay these "fines" should they be assessed. The quantum unit for a "fine" appears to be $300. An example of a "fineable offense" is a violation of the prime directive to not adjust air pressure in the tires. I caused the first $300 fine when I asked Graham to what pressure he was going to air down. I said "Let's check the tire pressure." Graham said "That'll cost me $300." I replied, "It's not MY Jeep!" and proceeded to check the tires. One rear had 21 lbs and the other rear had 36 psi! That's just not right. Problem solved. $300. Other examples of "fineable offenses" are running rough water, going on non approved trails, or in any other way causing stress to the Jeep or its owners. It has been a kick keeping track of the fines. As of today, we're up to $2100! YES! Duh! |
The day started as usual. 7 AM coffee and a sweet roll. Answer some emails. 8:30 Graham shows up. Remove the "frost cover" from the FN JP and we're all off. Today was Wipe Out Hill and Gemini Bridges, an easy drive the landed us back in town by 4 PM. But it was scenic, though.
A four mile trip up Bartlett Wash started today's journey. This is a sand wash and in some places the sand was 8 feet high. Great fun plowing through the semi-wet (or is it semi-dry?) sand.
Once again, the FN JP performed admirably (or was it the skill of the driver?) Naw! It performed admirably.
Why is this photo of the sand in the wash here?
Because I like it and think it's cool!
M&M Trail converts into the Wipe Out Hill Trail which is described on previous Moab trips. On the way, we stopped to admire Determination Towers. A couple years ago, there are photos on the website showing us running this trail in the rain and snow. What fun THAT was!
Onward to Wipe Out Hill for some descents and ascents. Lunch was in the gully where there was precious little shade. Then we tried a new route to get back. For years had wanted to see if there was an alternate route to return to Highway 313 rather than paralleling the buttes. We found it! Highly pleased.
A rather large jack rabbit near the Towers.
The FN JP descending Wipe Out Hill.
A right on 313 took us to the Gemini Bridges road where there are two parallel natural bridges. We got there and found this guy hanging from a rope in the middle of the 200-300' deep pit. And they think us Jeepers are nuts!
Got back to town early and went to the hardware store to fix the motorhome and the trailer box, all damaged when I backed into the trailer. How many ways can you say stoopid.
After that, had a lousy meal, came back and had a few beers and am calling it a night. Tomorrow will be a scenic drive for Graham's last day here.
On the way out, "Gooney Bird" rock. Courtesy of Graham.
Also on the way out, a silhouette of the FN JP on the shelf road overlooking Hwy 191 1000' below. Again, courtesy of Graham.
8 PM. A great last day with Graham. Had some kind of Italian food at Pasta Jay's tonight. Also beer. I'm relatively hammered. Set the alarm for 4:30 AM to take Graham to Moab International for his flight on the puddle jumper to SLC and then back to reality. Poor Graham. Poor me! Oh well, at any rate this was a damn good last day!
We had no plan. At the usual time we left the Portal and wandered around the trails Northwest of Moab, but not North by Northwest. We took whatever roads we kind of felt like. Most led to some interesting dead ends but with with some very rewarding overlooks.
Graham, negotiating a rock. He may have scratched his flares here which will cost him another $300 fine.
Looking North from wherever the hell we were. The rocks were alive with colors but this photo just will not do justice to the colors, the magnitude, the splendor and the feeling of this overlook.
Bowknot Bend in the Green River. WAY down below, on
this side, is the Hey Joe Canyon trail. Another magnificent site.
No, contrary to nasty rumors I'm NOT taking a whiz. Rather I'm just looking at the view!
Next year's campsite on the bluff.
The FN JP as it goes down the hill towards Mill Canyon.
So here's the end of the trail for Graham, at least for this year. As seasoned wheelers who wheel out here for the first time agree, "You'll never look at four wheelin' the same again." It makes the stuff we do back home pale by comparison, unfortunately.
So from here it was a trip back to Moab and did some dumpster diving to get a 2x4 that will be used to mount a more substantial set of wheel chocks on the trailer as well as more Bondo for the injured RV.
At Pasta Jay's we sat on the open patio facing the street and provided commentary on most of the vehicles (and people) that had the misfortune to drive or walk by our table. Much fun. Much fun.
Graham - you did great with the rent-a-Rubi. What an outstanding time. Thanks for coming out to Moab and make sure to save those coupons so you can make it out next year. And Julie - no worries about the Moab antics, I wouldn't think of having Graham do anything I wouldn't do.
The Mill Canyon trail at its best!
HA! There ain't no free lunch nor free day!
The day started early when I took Graham to the airport at 5AM. Sad for me to see him go back, but much sadder for him! At Moab International (which was still locked up tighter than a drum) we walked around outside for a few minutes marveling at the darkness of the sky but the brightness of the stars and the impressive Milky Way. That made getting up at 4:30 almost palatable.
After 15 miles on the way back, running at >60, it dawned on me that I was in 2nd gear. Not one of my best moves. But it WAS early. A 2 hour nap - then the "free" day began.
Here's how dark it is out here without ambient light.
A sidebar, please: Dieter had to move his fall vacation to Moab out by a couple weeks, also as we had to do. Once this coincidence was discovered, plans were made to meet and have beer Friday to celebrate this remarkable convergence and then perhaps go wheeling with Bob and us on Saturday. Dieter and one of his friends from Liechtenstein, Karl, will be here for a few weeks and playing around in the snow in the San Juans, tent camping and wheeling. |
No good photos of the day, only these of the campground. As Moab commercial
campgrounds go, this is one more scenic than most. And one does get
used to the smell of horse shit after a while.
Another sidebar, if you please (and even if you don't please): For the last week Graham has been bitching about one of my bungee cords, used to keep the top secure when folded down. One is kind of the color of the FN JP but the other cord was bright green. As item #14A today, I replaced the obnoxious green bungee with one matching the other side. Too bad Graham, now that you're gone, your irritant has been fixed. |
- Go to City Market to buy too many groceries.
- Return and pack said groceries.
- Run Connie up to the laundry to wash clothes.
- Make a list of parts.
- Go to the hardware store to get some 10" lag bolts to mount the new wheel chocks on the trailer.
- Go to NAPA to try and find more Bondo for the impaired RV.
- Go to Big A to try to find Bondo and primer.
- Go to Clark's Parts to finally buy Bondo and primer.
- Mail some postcards then head back to the camp.
- Forget to buy fuel for the FN JP.
- Miss Dieter and Karl as they had been to the campground to find us.
- Start the grill and start a couple burgers.
- Mount the new chocks.
- Remove said burgers, mighty well done.
- Apply at least 4 - 5 coats of Bondo over the fiberglass repair of the other day (Still looks like shit.)
- Take a shower.
- Begin the "non-free" part of the alleged free day, aka visit at least 50% of the various tourist shops in Moab. (This part of the trip wore me down more than the previous week of wheeling - it was mentally and physically exhausting.) Postscript: It turns out Dieter and Karl were at McStiff's drinking beer all afternoon. I could have been doing that with them instead of wearing myself out tagging along on the shopping spree. Double damn!
- Wander up to Moab 4x4 to try to find Dieter and Karl.
- Wander over to Dieter's garage to try to find Dieter and Karl.
- Mosey on back to camp to try to find Dieter and Karl.
- Pass Dieter and Karl on the way back to the RV.
- Wait for Dieter and Karl and turn around and invite them to Camp David for a few beers.
- Drink a few beers, reminisce and laugh a lot.
- Say goodbye to Dieter and Karl until tomorrow when we'll head out with Bob to explore some little used trails.
- Throw a pizza in the oven about 8.
- Start this blog.
- Eat said pizza.
- Have another beer and bemoan the fact that I could have been drinking beer with them all afternoon :(
- Call it a day. No more "free" days, please! Give me 8 hours on a trail (or 8 hours at McStiff's) instead!
A 14 hour day! And a great one at that.
Met up with Bob, Dieter and Karl at Bob's place and we headed out to Blue Hills Road, Northwest of Moab. This area is unlike any other around here. It's more like Badlands, with few trees, no slickrock and massive amounts of clay. One would think it's a barren landscape but Omigosh, is it pretty! And, as a bonus, it has some rather interesting roads, too. It's also nice in another aspect. During time we were on the trails, we only saw one auto and one ATV or bike, but it was so far away we couldn't tell which. Vistas totally unlike anything seen in the last week. While I'd been here before last spring with Bob, this was Dieter's first shot as this part of the Moab area.
Roads are sometimes hard to find, but Bob did an excellent job of not only finding them, but providing us with a glimpse of the geology of this fascinating area. A sample of the area and the roads are shown in the two photos below.
There were some interesting climbs, but this wasn't one of them. It's just a nice photo of Dieter preparing for the climb.
Our lunch spot was on a high bluff overlooking most of the valley that we had come from. The weather was great - about 80 degrees. There was a little breeze. Full sun. Good trails and excellent company. It doesn't get a helluva lot better than this! Even the antelope squirrels were having a good time entertaining us.
Some climbs and drops were steeper than others. Here's Karl about to descend. While this doesn't look like much, it does get one's attention!
.
And this is typical of the scenery, taken from our lunch spot. Some might
say this looks like a barren, boring place, but it certainly isn't.
After a day's drive, we wound up in this alabaster quarry late in the afternoon.
We wound up almost in Green River and needed to take I-70 and Hwy 191 almost 45 miles back to Moab. Once again, the FN Jeep is a dream to drive on the trails but also on the highway at 60 - 70 mph, even if it is a low rider yet. Dropped off Bob, came back, took a shower and headed into town for more shopping :(
Next was a trip up the hill to the Stagecoach to eat and see Dave and Debi. While there, the karaoke contest was in progress and, surprisingly enough, there were some pretty good singers doing, of course, Country and Western. While there, Dave introduced me to Dave (yes, there are a LOT of Dave's out here.) Dave (the new one) was a DuPage County Forest Preserve cop for a long time before escaping to Moab in 1993. Had a great chat with him about life back in Illinois. Small world! He's a member of the Grand County Search and Rescue. His wife, Barb, is the webmaster for Grand County Search and Rescue. Turns out that Barb was also familiar with my site and the TRJC site I also maintain. If you poke around the GCSAR site, check out "Silt Happens." This gives an insight into the world of Search and Rescue and will also give an insight into how stupid some people can be!
After dinner, the 3 Daves wandered outside. A non-Dave happened to say "Hey Dave!" and the three of us turned around and replied. I guess you had to be there. Doesn't sound as good here as it did last night. Maybe the lime in the Corona helped.
After that, we happened to stop by McStiff's to see Dieter and Karl. We had a few beers, a LOT of laughs and wished them well on their way to the San Juans. Was so great to see him again. Then, on the way out, he wandered over to his rent-a-vehicle that he drove from SLC to Moab and it was....are you ready..... a Liberty! As you can imagine, I made a most vocal and appropriate set of comments on his choice of vehicles. Great fun!
So tomorrow morning we take Dave and Debi out for breakfast to thank them for their hospitality and then move on to Green River. It is with much sadness that I depart. This place just feels like home. Great people and good friends.
This week out here the weather has been perfect - 80s each day and plentiful sunshine. This next week the forecast is for temps about 5 degrees lower and a 20-30% chance of rain - but WTF. A rainy day out west beats a good day at work.
After breakfast, as planned, pulled up and moved out of the Portal CG. Nice place for a commercial campground. Have stayed at Canyonlands for many years but am thinking of changing to here. Much better view, more room to park, and more opportunity to jackknife the trailer into the motorhome. Negatives are that it's a little out of town and also smells of horse shit (but never found the horses.) Go figure.
This weekend in Moab was some kind of national sky diving thing. On the way out past Moab International, snapped this photo of only a couple of the 50-60 skydivers that were popping out of the sky from seemingly nowhere. No plane in sight. No parachutes. Then bingo! All of a sudden there are parachutes all over the place. Cool.
Saturday there was a flurry of activity as rescue vehicles were heading out of town. Kind of figured there might be some action this weekend ..... and there was. Some dude got his parachute tied up in a high voltage power line. Ooops!
Was it mentioned I hate commercial campgrounds? Pulled into Green River about noon and stayed at "Shady Acres." Green River State Park was a high contender but wanted water, electricity and internet connection, none of which were available at the State Park. So pulled in here - perhaps for one night only. Complaints:
- Too expensive. Over $35 per night. In Green River? Not worth it!
- Asked to be placed "away from it all." Instead, after setting up, a BAMH (big ass motor home) parked on one side and a BgerAMH (bigger ass motor home) parked on the other side.
- The sewer dump for the BgerAMH is 10' from our front door and right under our "assigned" picnic table. Said sewer dump is in use by the BgerAMH. Yum.
- The worst of all: internet only partially works. Web pages work, FTP uploading works, receiving email works but I cannot send email. What the hell????
Went for a scenic drive in the mid afternoon. Clouds are beginning to roll in but it was still so pretty. Here's Gunnison Butte (it's a beaut all right!) with the Green River meandering along in front.
Just another pretty view of the Green River as it cuts through the Book Cliffs north of town.
The way out at dusk. It was pretty, though!
