Cassidy Arch-Capitol Reef NP

Thirteen of us headed off to hike.  Some were going to hike the Grand Wash and some of us were hiking Cassidy Arch.

At the trailhead.

Joanne and Sue found a cubby hole to sit in.

We even spotted this rock frog.

Cassidy Arch hike is about 2 miles one way, but 670 feet elevation change.  Here we are looking down on  our cars.

We're not there yet, but we can see the arch.

Finally, we made it to the arch.

Mark and I ventured out onto the arch.  It was a long ways down.

Capital Reef NP-Scenic Drive and Pioneer Register

I am now back with my family of single traveling RVers.  We are currently staying at Thousand Lakes RV Park, Torrey, UT, just outside of Capital Reef NP.

The day I arrived saw a forest fire just south of where we are staying.  The high winds fanned the fire from 6 acres to over 500 acres in one day.  The locals say the fire was arson, with 7 small fires set about 50 feet apart on a horse trail.  I really hope they catch the person responsible.

This is the Capital Gorge area inside Capital Reef. 

My presence didn't seem to bother the bumblebee at all.

Doesn't this look like the work of rock worms?

And here, someone painted stripes for decoration.

The 3 1/2 mile Capital Gorge Passage was created in 1884 after several men labored 8 days to clear the boulders.  It was wide enough for 2 cars to pass thru.

This is what the passage looks like today.  No vehicles allowed, only foot traffic.

There are some petroglyphs along the way.

All along the rock walls, about 20 feet high, are a series of metal poles which are sticking out of the rock.   At one time telephone wire was strung along these poles so the people living in the area had communication to the outside world.

Many of the pioneers who used this passageway left there imprint behind for all of us to see.

Some of the holes in the cliffs are large enough for a person to stand in.

From the bottom of the gorge you can't see these domes, but after climbing to the top of the gorge, you can see the many domes on top.  Capital Reef was named because so many of these domes look like capital buildings, and like a reef in the ocean, you have to navigate carefully to get thru.

I'm not sure who was more surprised, me or the Big Horn Sheep as he came bounding up the rocks.  He didn't stay long, but I did get a few pictures.

The first of several tanks, which were all dry.  Tanks are usually catch pockets for rain and run off, a place where the animals can get water.  But the whole area has been so dry the last few years, the tanks have dried up too.

The Behunin cabin was built in 1882 to house his family of 10.  It is only a one room cabin, built from double layers of sandstone blocks.  There is the door and window on the front, a fireplace along one wall, and a second small window up high across from the fireplace.  

Behind the cabin are these small caves, which are said to be where the boys of the family slept.  The girls slept in the wagon, while the parents and babies slept in the cabin itself.  There were rugs thrown over the dirt floor and they family probably ate outside because of its small size.

On the Way to Capital Reef NP-Hwy 24

My experience in Utah is severely limited since Moab and surrounding area is all I have had the chance to explore.  So I was very excited to be heading towards Capital Reef NP.  I was also going to be meeting back up with my RVing family after being away for about a year.  After I turned off I-70 onto Hwy 24, I experienced the most enchanting scenery.

Just out of nowhere you see these magnificent rock outcroppings scattered on the desert.

And this desert has real sand dunes. 

This reminds me of an entrance portal.

It almost looks like an abandoned city from long, long ago.

And yet, with just a little water everything turns green.
It truly was a beautiful drive and would highly recommend it.  I want to go back someday and stay at Goblin State Park (which I passed).  But that just gives me a reason to return.

Colorado National Monument

I have finished my visits with family and friends, got to watch my grandson play summer baseball, and now I am ready to head west to meet up with my RVing friends.  I decided to stop along the way at Colorado National Monument and camp at Saddlehorn Campground.

A view across to Breckenridge from Frisco on I-70.  I was surprised at how little snow I saw up in the mountains.  I had heard they didn't have much snow this year, and now I see what they mean.  After crossing the Eisenhower Tunnel I was ready for a break.  There were times it was very slow going up those hills.

My spot in Saddlehorn Campground.  I am on top of the ridge overlooking Grand Junction.

What a wonderful view on my morning walks.

Some of the formations found in the valley.

There were small caves all along the cliffs.

This is Window Rock.  I think you must be on the floor of the valley to really appreciate this window.

I found this small window while walking along Rim Trail.

This was taken from The Grand View.  This is Independence Monument.  Every 4th of July they climb this rock to fly the US flag.

Denver and Colorado Springs

After my visit in Kansas, I headed west to Denver for the Memorial Day weekend with my kids and grandson.

A friend let me park in his driveway.  It was so convenient, only 5 miles from the kids house.

Joshua got his drivers license last week and also this 1995 Jeep.  It's the same age as he is.  And yes, it has a lift kit and no running boards.  You should have seen me trying to get in and out.  It wasn't funny!

On Memorial Day I headed south to Colorado Springs, where I was meeting up with my girlfriends for some R&R in Manitou.

We were able to catch the last day of the Territorial Days Street Festival in Old Colorado City.

This is the Cliff House Inn.  The early Cliff House was smaller, cube shaped and built prior to 1874, but by 1887 it had been modified and electrified.  By 1913 it was the largest and finest hotel in town. It is one of the few surviving frame constructed buildings in the area.  After being left vacant for 15 years, it was remodeled and reopened in 1999.
 Manitou Springs derives its name from the over 2 dozen mineral springs found in the area.  In the early 1900s it was noted as a popular health destination for people suffering from tuberculosis.

The Wheeler Spring sits across the street from the Cliff House Inn.  And yes, that is my finger in the upper right hand corner.
Around town you will find deco sculptures of bicycles.  

  

Someone chained their own bicycle to the artwork.

Personally, this was my favorite.

I believe this is Cheyenne Spring.  You can drink out of any of the springs which are flowing.  The unique characteristic of Manitou's springs are there natural carbonation.

Navajo Spring.

The Barker House Apartments, was built in 1872.  It also houses BJs Bistro.

I liked this colorful sidewalk bench, found in downtown Manitou Springs.

We also visited Seven Falls.  You can climb the 200+ stairs to get to the top, and then go visit the memorial site of Helen Hunt, an author.  She loved this place and asked to be buried here.  Once her husband could no longer navigate the route to her grave, her remains were relocated down to Evergreen Cemetery, but he left a Memorial for her on top of her beloved mountain.
But the best view is actually the 14 stories through the mountain in the elevator.  You can then overlook the entire set of falls.  There wasn't much water since it has been such a dry winter.

I just couldn't resist.

In the canyon next to Seven Falls in the Cheyenne Canon Park and Helen Hunt Falls.  The park is a public park and not so touristy, but has many more hiking trails and is a lot more fun.

I think we checked out every little shop located in downtown Manitou Springs and we ate at several really good restaurants.  Many of the restaurants are organic, gluten-free, vegetarian and very interesting.  I even had gluten free crepes at a gluten free French restaurant.  They even grind their own flour.

We said goodbye as they headed to Oklahoma and I headed back to Denver.

As I was packing up I noticed a leak at my rear tire, so I called a workhorse chassis service center.  Luckily it was just an axle flange seal which needed to be replaced, but they said it had been leaking for a while and if it hadn't been fixed I could have blown my rear axle.  Boy am I glad I got it fixed.  I was on my way again within an hour.