Sunday October 28: Clifford and I are camped at the Dead Horse Point Utah State Park, thanks to our Colorado friends who are in the site next to us. First thing this morning I call my daughter Katie to wish her Happy Birthday and then head out to Rim Overlook on the west rim trail. I hike by myself, enjoying the solitude and beauty of my surroundings this morning.
The trail to the Rim Overlook
Views along the Rim Overlook Trail
Back at camp, I continue editing Emperors and Exiles, eat left-over pizza for lunch– not my usual, but sure tasty. In the later afternoon, we – Clifford, our friends, and I – hike to the same Rim Overlook where I was this morning. It does feel different hiking with others, with companionship replacing solitude.
Hiking with friends
Later, Clifford and I join our friends for dinner at their camp. Afterward, Dave and Clifford go out to use the night vision goggles, which is a lot of fun for them. We ladies are ready to turn in; I write in my planner and then head to bed, feeling a bit weary from the day’s activities, and knowing that tomorrow is another travel day. Only 3 1/2 months on the road this time, but it seems like a long time ago that we left for Montana and here we are, nearly back to our home-base in Monticello, Utah.
Saturday October 27: Today Clifford and I hike with our Colorado friends who are camped next to us at Dead Horse Point Utah State Park. We start from the Visitor Center and walk the canyon east rim trail out to the point that gives the park its name. The story is that wild mustangs were corralled here at the point, the best picked out to be kept as riding stock, and the rest turned loose, except for the time that they were left corralled and died of thirst. Not a pretty story, but the name remains.
Cliffs
Rock Formations
and Canyons
View of the Colorado River from Dead Horse Point
It
is a scenic hike with deep canyons on all sides and the Colorado
River far below. Back at camp, we all rest up a bit and then head to
Moab to have dinner together at Eddie McStiff’s. This is a fun
outing for us and after we return to the park, we have tea and visit
until midnight.
Thursday October 25: I take photos as soon as I get up, watching the play of sunlight on the desert scene. This is our last morning here on Mineral Point Road outside Canyonlands National Park. After breakfast, we begin packing up for our move to nearby Dead Horse Point State Park, where we are meeting Colorado Friends.
Desert view from Mineral Point Road
Beneficial soil microbe colonies
The spot reserved for us at the state park is small, and although not quite as challenging as our set-up on Mineral Point Road, it is tricky because of a culvert that does not allow for an adequate turning radius to back into the small site. But eventually we are set up and have 110 electricity for the first time since leaving Monticello in July. That certainly is a convenience! And we did save some time and trouble not having to set up the solar panel.
Our site at Dead Horse Point State Park
Now
the odd thing about being here is that, while the electricity and the
nearby flush toilets are quite the treat, we have gone from being
surround by acres and acres of sage brush with seldom another camper
or person in sight to being in a fishbowl surrounded by campers and
people in every direction. I guess that is fine; it just sort of
feels weird to me.
Our
friends arrive and set up in the site next to us, which makes it easy
to visit. We haven’t seen them for awhile and enjoy their company,
so end up going to bed quite late.
Friday October 26: Frost on the grass this morning. Looks like fall is upon us.
This morning, I walk to the new campground, which is not far way, to check it out for future reference. It is flat and much more suited to RV’s, but not nearly as pretty.
Walking to the new campground
Back at camp, Clifford is up, but still in his pj’s. I sit outside in the sunshine to write in the journal with my little thermos of French press coffee.
Clifford in his pj’s
A half-mile trail takes me from the campground to the Visitor Center where I look at the displays and follow the nearby Nature Trail. There is no cell service at the campground, but I can send texts to kids and siblings from the Visitor Center.
A view of the La Sal Mountains from the trail to the Visitor Center
Walking on the Nature Trail at the Visitor Center
Nature Trail as seen from the Visitor Center
Back at camp, after lunch, I do more editing of Emperors and Exiles, my daughter Ang’s epic fantasy. Clifford works on his projects, also. When our friends return from their Moab outing, we all walk down to the Visitor Center again before dinner and more visiting.
Views from the Dead Horse Point State Park Visitor Center
Views from the Dead Horse Point State Park Visitor Center
Later, by time I finish my bedtime routine, it is nearly midnight – way past my bedtime.
