Tuesday, June 16, 2015

The Flying and Dining ...Part 3

Portal RV Resort
Moab, Ut
June 9, 2015


June 9th was Dee's birthday. Jim and Kathleen arranged for a REDTAIL AVIATION adventure as a gift for their sister. Joe and I were blown away with excitement when we were invited to join them. 

We traveled in a cozy 6 passenger, single engine Cessna 207 aircraft better known as a Skywagon. 




Larry, Jim, Kathleen, and Dee
Larry, far left, was our pilot. He retired as Chief Ranger of Canyonlands after a 37 year career in the NPS which included positions at Rocky Mt., Everglades, Grand Canyon, Lake Clark (Alaska) and Zion.  

He is the most personable and knowledgeable tour guide we have ever had anywhere/anytime. His involvement with countless rescue and fire details both on the ground and as a pilot uniquely qualifies him for his second career as a Redtail Aviation pilot/guide.  Larry knows this part of our great country like the back of his hand including much of its colorful history which he so ably shared during our flight.   

The birthday girl was our co-pilot. 

Confluence of the Green River and Colorado River
The Colorado River feeds Lake Powell.

Lake Powell...notice the white line around the lake. It is known as the bathtub ring. 

Monument Valley...Larry told us the names of all these formations, but I don't remember them.
That was the planes wing on the top right of the picture...cool reflection from the rocks!
These two I remember...left side is the Totem Pole and middle to right is The Family.
Natural Bridges National Monument became a NM is 1908. There are three majestic bridges all formed from the power of water.


Angel Arch is located in the Needles District of Canyonlands NP. The arch is 100 ft wide and 150 ft tall. It is not accessible by car. You can hike to it...over a 20 mile hike round trip.




Upheaval Dome is located in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands.

Shafer Switchbacks...a very scenic jeep ride.

Potash evaporating ponds can be seen from space.  

Corona Arch 
Circling around Delicate Arch in Arches NP...do you see it?





Landscape Arch in Arches NP.

And here we are about to land...

 Our tour took almost 4 hours which included a stop in Monument Valley to stretch. There we met and visited with Lucy, a beautiful Navajo woman. But that story will have to wait.

Our day ended with a glass of wine and the best steak dinner ever at Jeffrey's Steakhose.


Jim, Dee and Kathleen
Happy Birthday Dee!
Our time with Dee's family passed by too quickly. It was filled with laughter, fun, "Woohoos!", several breakfasts at Moab Diner and yes a meal or two at Zax. We miss you and look forward to our next get toghther! 

Until next time, take care and


HAPPY TRAILS!

12 comments:

  1. What an amazing adventure and those photos to die for, love it !

    ReplyDelete
  2. Whoa! What a wonderful experience that must have been! Since Hans deals with motion sickness we'll probably never do anything like that. Thank goodness I can live vicariously through you! I LOVE the different perspective on sights I've seen from the ground!

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is definitely a different way of seeing the sites you normally see from the ground. Great Pics!
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Can't do the hiking, don't want to do the jeeping, but that plane ride is to die for!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That looks like a lot of fun but I have a terrible fear of flying. Loved the photos and Happy Birthday to Ms. Dee!

    ReplyDelete
  6. It looks like you are definitely having one heck of a good time. You've also managed to take some awesome pictures at the same time. Good job.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, Gay! What a wonderful, beautiful, once in a lifetime adventure! So happy to be able to view it through your eyes!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a great treat!! I can imagine just how exciting this experience was. We both really enjoyed seeing photos of these sites we have hiked to. Totally cool from this perspective. I'm glad you saw Angel Arch since we'll never get there unless we take up backpacking. The Delicate Arch looks so lonely and small out there. The colors are gorgeous. Your photos are spectacular. Thanks for sharing!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow, what AMAZING photos. I want to do a tour like that someday...

    ReplyDelete
  10. There are no words..........I am in awe !

    ReplyDelete
  11. Awesome! You bet Gay we will seek out Redtail Aviation when we get there. Great Photos, how do you manage that with the vibration of the plane!
    That is a great experience seeing those rock formations from up in the air. Very cool.

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a great opportunity! And the views....spectacular!

    ReplyDelete