Although we're temporarily back in Washington, I wanted to share some thoughts and images of the Colorado plateau before we leave the area, and I forget!!! (Could that really ever happen???:)
What we have seen and experienced in this area of the country is truly amazing. Deep canyons, sandstone cliffs, monuments, deep river valleys, red rock, native peoples and ancient ruins abound. It was hard for me to get my head around a landscape this unique. I look forward to returning and finishing our exploration of the parks and monuments that we missed due to my untimely illness.
People who live in the plateau states really seem to enjoy and take advantage of all the recreation opportunities that are available. In addition to river running, rock climbing, mountain biking, ATVing, and four-wheeling in the back country, hiking seems to take front and center position. In fact, we discovered that hiking is so popular, even the insects get in the act! While staying near Moab, UT, we awoke to a trailer full of small ants that had invaded during the night. They were everywhere, and seemed to be 'hiking' in random circles - - not in a line like ants usually do. We could not find their point of entry until Jerry went outside and discovered that our electrical cord was touching the ground, allowing the entire ant population of Moab to 'hike' up the cord, right into the trailer! Quick and effective fix - - pick up the cord from the ground - - problem solved. Five minutes later, not an ant to be seen!
The mountain bikers are not of this world! On many occasions, I found myself driving up to very high elevations in a park or monument, only to look over and find that some bikers were going up the mountain at nearly the same speed as 'Kermit', all the while talking and laughing among themselves. I would have expected them to be breathing very hard, traveling at a very slow speed, with their tongues wrapped in their spokes like the old playing cards we used to install when we were kids. Not so! I have to imagine they were training for the Tour de 'something' to accomplish these feats! Show-offs all!
The national parks and monuments that we did have an opportunity to visit took our breath away! Arches and Canyonlands were almost unworldly. We could not get enough of these landscapes and visited many different times at various periods of the day. Because we were there during 'monsoon', we experienced many thunder storms and a variety of weather conditions which made the scenery even more amazing. The lighting was astounding during these times.
While in Monument Valley we were lucky enough to be visiting during the August full/super moon. Both the evening and nighttime images were there for the 'taking' - - literally! Mesa Verde is a most amazing example of early people's stamina and resourcefulness and leaves one with a real sense of wonder at how they accomplished building villages in the tall cliffs - - ruins that are still standing after hundreds of years! Very difficult to imagine, even with explanations from the experts.
When we return to Mesa, AZ, where 'Kermit' and 'Kodi' are taking a break and undergoing some needed maintenance, we hope to explore Arizona and then 'winter' in the southeastern part of California where we plan to meet up with some Washington friends and play in places like Joshua Tree National Park, Anza Borrego State Park, Lake Havasu and all parts in-between. We also hope to see some family members in south CA while we are there. Then, its off to Utah to visit the national parks and monuments our cameras have not yet experienced!
Thanks for all the good wishes, thoughts and prayers during my illness this past few months. It appears that most of this is behind me, but I'm still waiting for the surgeried foot to complete it's healing process. I'm learning patience like never before!!!! (I still can't avoid some whining, but trying to keep it to a minimum. Ha!) Hope to see and/or talk to all our Washington friends while we're here for several weeks, and hope to be back 'on the road' in no time!
In the meantime, happy holidays to all . . .
