June 2021 – diary of a ragamuffin

Our week in Moab, Utah was wonderful and warm. By warm, I mean ranging from 99 degrees Farenheit to 109. Nevertheless, we hiked and photographed to our hearts’ content.

Canyonlands. We mostly just drove thru this park. It’s actually 5 parks in one and they are NOT connected. We drove through Islands.
Can you see Bryan?

Early on our first day and our first hike up to see Delicate Arch. We were both shocked at the number of people returning from this 3 mile hike at 7 a.m.
This is an example of how much of the trail to Delicate Arch looked…just walking on rock.
Delicate Arch — with some guy that wouldn’t move under it.
Finally! Delicate Arch without people. But there was a raven on top to the left.
More petroglyphs — at the bottom of the trail to Delicate Arch.
At the beginning (or end depending on how you look at it) was a cabin (Wolfe Ranch) that had been there since 1906.

All ready for our 4 x 4 guided tour to Hurrah Pass.
Bryan drove in a side-by-side and our tour guide is leading the way.
Our tour guide, Jesse, Native American – Apache, talking about the petroglyphs at Moonflower Canyon (in the background).
Some petroglyphs estimated to be thousand years old. Of course, no one knows for sure what they mean, but animals are easily identified and the large triangular thing is supposedly corn.
At the Birthing Rock on our 4 x 4 tour.
This petroglyph was on the “Birthing Rock”…can you see why they call it that?
This is the beautiful landscape we drove through. Notice the path we took to the left. We went up AND down it.
This is basically what I did the entire ride. I’m glad I didn’t bring my real camera because I was jostled most of the time.
Don’t be fooled by that serious look on his face — he loved every minute of driving that thing!
At the summit of our 4 x 4 tour. On top of Hurrah Pass.

Lions Park in Moab, Utah. This is the only patch of grass we’ve found so far. Our campground has none, nada, zilch, zippo.
Lions Park in Moab, Utah. Bridge is crossing the Colorado River.
Dead Horse Point State Park – East Rim trail
Not only is he holding UP the rock, but he’s holding DOWN Rocky. 🙂 – Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse State Park
Dead Horse State Park
Now we’re back in the Arches NP — on another hike.
Landscape Arch…Look carefully to the upper left. Not a very good pic
For some reason, this was my favorite. It’s called Pine Tree Arch.

And we’re OFF to see…Some of us are full of excitement and anticipation.
Rocky (and I) were not sure we were going to make it on this VERY narrow bridge across the Mississippi River.
Our first sign. Technically we had been through Kentucky, but that’s ordinary for us.
Rain, rain, rain. That’s all it did in Table Rock State Park near Branson, Missouri. We left early because of it.
By Wednesday we made it to Oklahoma Welcome Center.
Wind Turbines
This was an actual wind turbine blade (just one) that was near a dog park in Weatherford, Oklahoma. Did you know that these blades turn at speeds between 120-180 MPH?
The first of many unidentified flowers. This was taken while hiking a horse trail at Bell Cow Lake in Chandler, Oklahoma. Since it had been raining here for nearly a week, the trail was very muddy in spots.
This was an interesting find on the trail…and he was moving! I am just now noticing that there seems to be a snake skin in the bottom left of this picture?
Yay! It was NOT raining in Texas.
Our RV Campground — Fort Amarillo, Texas. This is the view from the dog park.
Another unidentified flower picture. (I do know this is a cacti.) I love flowers, but no nothing about them. We went on a hike in Wildcat Bluff Nature Center.
Although temperatures were high, the blowing wind helped.
I was “today” years old when I realized that windmills pumped water from the ground. (I am embarrassed to admit this, but it’s true).
Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. Did you know this has been around since 1974?
The ground was littered with empty spray cans and lids as far as the eye could see, even though trash cans were available.
Land of Enchantment!
Our picnic lunch in Santa Rosa Dam, New Mexico.
This was the beginning of a very long (@ 1 hour) traffic jam. Someone(s) didn’t make it home that day…terrible tractor trailer accident. Makes you very appreciative of all the safe travel we have.
The sunset was much more spectacular in person, but as you can see, it is 8:50 p.m. We were still driving and had been since 8:38 a.m. We didn’t arrive until 12:10 a.m. We both agreed we never again want to drive for that long!

I can truthfully say that this reluctant traveler has been changed into a (somewhat) ready one. After the first week we have logged 2,040 miles. Whoever can claim that there is not a Creator has never looked around at our beautiful country.

One benefit to traveling is all the things you learn along the way. Of course, to learn, there must be questions. I didn’t realize how many questions I had until I started writing them down. Here are just a few:

What is there to do in Chandler, Oklahoma?
Why does Oklahoma have a panhandle?
What’s the history of Route 66?
Why is “HITCHHIKERS MAY BE ESCAPED INMATES” a needed sign along the interstate?
What kind of black bird is common in Texas?
Why and when did Cadillac Ranch start?
How fast do blades of wind turbines turn?
Wonder when they started putting up “Historic Route 66” road signs up?
What does a sage bush look like?
Wonder what they hunt here (in New Mexico)?
Does New Mexico get snow?
Why are there A/C units on rooftops in Albequerque?

Thankfully because of Google, I found the answers to many of my questions.

For instance, we discovered a nearby horse/hiking trail in Chandler, as well as visited the Lincoln County Museum of Pioneer History. It was free and interesting!

Another answer is the Great Tailed Grackle. That was the bird that made quite a racket at the rest area we stopped. Click https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great-tailed_Grackle/media-browser/516796 to listen.

As a teacher, I know that the best readers have questions while they read. I wonder if the best travelers also have questions? Until next time . . .

Month: June 2021

Adventures in Arches

Recluctant to Ready

Empty Nesters Fly the Coop

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