Moving On for the Summer

After returning from Costa Rica, we had time for Dr. Appts. and to pay taxes, then on April 17th, we left Happy Trails for the Summer.  Trip began with stop over outside of Page, AZ at Donna and Lloyd's place near Lake Powell.  Got there Wed, 17th.  Next day, Kayaking on the lake.
Donna Pedaling away

Lloyd next to Buoy that is normally in cut. Last fall we took the boat thru here

Really low water, only water in the cut

Someone has created what Donna calls Flintstone furniture.

Note that everything on the table is stone. Pie wedges, plates, forks and knifes, etc.
Had a great day.  Lots of paddle-ING on the lake.  The next day, we joined the hiking club for a hike.  The hike was actually in Utah since Page is the last stop in Arizona. Great group of people and a almost 7 mile hike.
It was either rock or sand for the most part
Several Slot Canyons that were dead ends



Darlene planned the hike. Her doggy hiked the entire trip




















The hike normally goes up to this arch
















Later they told me I was standing right in front of a Bull snake 










Had a clean-up and wash day on Saturday.  For dinner, we had a left over special and played Mexican Train.  On Easter Sunday, we went over to the Lake Powell resort for a Sunrise Service by the lake.  Breakfast was set for 8:00 and the service was over at 7:00 am, so Bob and I went back to the rig and had our own breakfast.  Donna was helping serve at the church breakfast so they headed out there.  We packed up and after saying Good-bye to them upon their return, we headed to join Rete and Judy and Annie up at a Gravel pit for dry camping near MT. Carmel, Utah.

Get spot, with a great view.  They were out Atv'ing so we went exploring and to the visitor center to find hikes in the area.  Had happy hour as usual around 4:30 pm.  Rete loves her fires and Judy normally cooks over the fire.  They work really hard at dry camping. Annie is leaving the next day for a quick trip to Palm Springs for a meeting with Indian Wells Tennis Center for this coming Pickleball Nationals.  Will return on Wednesday.

Next day, we head out to find Lick Wash hike.  It's a ways to the trail head and the last part we're thankful for the Jeep.  Lots of sandy roads. 

 

The slot canyon is only 1/4 mile long, but we hiked up to the other wash and back, so 8 miles. Mostly hard sand and rocks, not the soft sand that's so hard to hike in.

Next day, we decide to try to find another slot canyon, Peekaboo. We get to a point in the Jeep that it's questionable to drive in the sand even in 4 wheel drive, so we drive over to Zion on the east side.  The tunnel is closed, so we can only do the East Overlook Trail.  Good hike, uphill of course, but only 1.5 miles round trip.  We are lucky enough to see Desert Big Horn Sheep, a herd of Bison, and 2 deer(possibly elk)
View of roads from top

Great Hike

Theres are called Desert Big Horn

Definitely not Rocky Mountain Big Horn

Resting and enjoying the view

Always leaving, Notice the big white butts.

Domestic herd of bison

 On Wednesday the 24th of April, we wanted to check out the Belly of the Dragon and Slot Canyon.  It's not a really long hike, especially to the Belly of the Dragon, from camp it's only about 1.5 miles. The Slot canyon is supposed to be 4 miles from the Belly of the Dragon, but after hiking to the BofD, we ran into Rete and Judy who had driven up to the hike.  They were letting the dogs, Brandy and Stella, play in the sand and water.  They took us to a drop off for us to hike the slot canyon and then hike back to the campsite.  The problem was there was no trail to and from the campsite and the campsite is on the top of the mesa and we had to cross country to find our way through the river bed up to the top.

Entering the Belly of the Dragon

Lighting was lousy

At the end  of wash where the water flowed into the Belly of the Dragon

Stella claiming the banks of the wash

Slot canyon from above

Entrance to one of the 3 slot canyons we explored

I couldn't claim up to the point where you could not go any further
















It's been an interesting trip so far, exploring different terrain.  On Thursday, Bob rested and I rode with Annie in her ATV and Judy and Rete went in Judy's.  It was a full day out towards the Pink Coral Sands State Park to explore the South Fork Indian Canyon Pictographs.  Really enjoyed the ATV and we covered alot of sand.  No problems, Annie's becoming an expert.

Annie and I all ready to go

just one of the many pretty formations

Annie and scenery, 

Judy, Annie, and Rete

Judy and Rete didn't hike down to the Pictographs, been there done that

Just a sample

Beautiful view from lunch site

Beautiful sculpture, in side of trail

Thanks Annie  for a good ride
Kath and Nan came in camp while we were playing in the ATV's. Set up and ready for HH.  The next day, Bob and I rented an ATV and tried our hand with the girls.  Nan was with Judy, Kath with Annie, and Rete rode her quad.  Just a 1/2 day ride finally to Peek a Boo Slot canyon and then to some Petroglyphs  and an Amphitheater that the guy at the rental place told us about.

Following Rete

Peekaboo Canyon

Moki foot or hand holds to climb out

Petroglyphs



Had a great Time and thinking of getting our own ATV.  Could rent a number of times for the cost of buying, but we'll think about it. 

Saturday was a quiet day of rest.  On Sunday we left everyone and headed to a RV Park with full hookups for a couple of days.  Nice to be able to take a nice long hot bath!

Now we're in Escalante at a RV Park until Wednesday.  Yesterday was only a short 2 hour move so we went down the Hole in the Rock road to Zebra Canyon.  2.5 miles to the canyon, but worth the trip.  Short but tight Slot Canyon.

Swinging gate to keep cattle in place


Trial to the canyon

Tight area I didn't go any further

Bob didn't make it to end.  It was a climb up the sides

Talk about diet incentive 

Looking straight into canyon
Made it back, only 5.5 miles, but some really deep sand.  Today is a laundry, rest and clean day.  It's also a rain day, so we couldn't get out to do anything.  Will up date blog as I get internet in parks.

Looking forward to more of Escalante National  Monument tomorrow. 


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