Friday, January 28, 2011

Four Wheel Drive!


Thanks to a friend's four wheel drive vehicle, I got to experience some more rugged landscapes today. First on a bumpy road through multiple wash outs to Paria, where they filmed a number of Hollywood westerns. The buildings themselves were burned in a fire and haven't been rebuilt. But the valley itself is quite lovely and full of rainbow-colored mudstone layers. The mighty Paria River (at least on this day) defeated us, as we didn't want cold and muddy feet that early in the morning.

We drove on, through the mostly melted snow near Bryce Canyon and over into unexplored territory. Through valleys, mountains and plains we drove, north of the vast Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Eventually we took the Hole-in-the-Rock road, originally blasted by Mormon pioneers that leads all the way to Lake Powell.

After a hike through Entrada Formation hoo doos and arches, we drove down the rough road to Egypt--finally arriving just before dark to an audience of skittish cows. It was clear why the road ends there, and we turned around and headed back, bouncing slowly over potholes in the dark.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Everything happens today

Why is it that on some days nothing of great consequence happens and on others everything does? Yesterday I was happily learning to bird (in 30 degree weather) as part of the Christmas bird count and enjoying the chance to be outdoors. Today was a rollercoaster. I found out this morning I had a new housemate, who moved in this afternoon. A report I had been waiting on for months finally arrived, I got an important meeting scheduled and oh yeah, I found out that I have a job for another few months anyway. Planning beyond this month again is nice, even if my long term situation is still uncertain. Then finding out that someone passed away too young (not someone I knew personally, although I know the family) threw things in proper perspective. My thoughts are with them tonight. And with the long-eared owl, northern flicker and wood ducks, wherever they may be today as the evening draws to a close.