The Best Worst News...

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
September 1, 2014

It has certainly been awhile since I last blogged. We had a couple of really easy rides on Aug 21 and 22. The kind of rides that don't require a lot of rock crawling, but offer lots of beautiful things to look at...well to me they are beautiful. The desert, the rocks, the mountains, and everything in between is certainly "eye candy" for me...next to Joe and the pups of course!

Prostitute Rock

Remember Lone Rock or Prostitute Rock as the locals call it? We saw it from "afar" when we did the Tiptoe Behind the Rocks Trail with the Red Rockers Club. There are two arches in that rock I wanted to see up close.


We loaded up Dover and Wrecks, water and snacks and headed that way...

Getting to the rock and trying to stay on the trail was a bit of a fun challenge. We had several very hard torrential rains and the trail was no where to be found in some spots. But we kept our eyes on The Prostitute and tires off the desert floor and enjoyed ourselves!

The red rock on the left is  Prostitute Rock...the trail winds around the end to the other side.

Balcony Arch was the first arch we saw...its massive!










It is on the side of the rock and there is a large sandy area to park and explore...


and Dover didn't have any trouble with that! 

When you continue on the trail, it takes you around to the other side and to Picture Frame Arch. The puppies and I did some rock scrambling, but then I chickened out and didn't quite make it to the base of the arch...maybe another day!

Wrecks was so sweet...and very attentive to me!

Do you have room for one more?

The next day was Friday, Aug. 22. Another easy trail day. I had mentioned to Dee that as many times as we have been to Moab, we had never been to Gemini Bridges. So off we went to walk the bridges and then rock hunting in Bull Canyon. Just head north on Hwy 191 about 10 miles, turn left at the sign.

Our view going to the bridges...

The trail starts out on a narrow shelf road with an spectacular view...

...and headed home.

Remember I mentioned all the rain...a big section of trail was washed away.

When headed in to see the bridges, don't forget to "kiss" Gooney Bird's toes with your tires.

We scrambled on the rocks and watched a group rappelling from the bridge...its a long way down!

A view of Bull Canyon...

The trail that runs between the rocks is a hiking trail accessed from the Bull Canyon 4X4 Trail.

So if you want to look up at the bridges...Bull Canyon 4X4 Trail will take you there. Its a moderate trail that follows a rocky creek bed...

...which often changes after storms.

There is a trail in there somewhere!

 We didn't make it to the bridges...the wind picked up and clouds started rolling in. Not a place you want to be when it rains! We did walk a little ways though.

We found rocks...

 ...moon flowers...

These beauties usually wither away in the heat of the day, but on this day it was very cloudy and cooler in the canyon.

...and tadpoles!

As we headed out to the main trail, Joe noticed he had a missed call. As promised, he went to the doctor when we arrived here in Moab. The coughing was much better, but the shortness of breath and fatigue was not. The last test, a CT Scan revealed areas that didn't look so good and there was fluid around his heart and lungs. The lower half of the left lung was completely collapsed...no wonder he couldn't catch his breath! The call he missed was from a Pulmonary specialist in Grand Junction. Lots went on  between then and now, including surgery to drain the fluids, biopsies taken and reattaching the air sac to the lining. Diagnosis is "the best worst news" as Dr. Lapkin said...Joe does NOT have lung cancer, but does have B-Cell Lymphoma. We are very hopeful that we have YEARS. The surgeon and oncologist at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction have been wonderful as well as the nursing staff there. Joe is still in the hospital and we are optimistic chemo and possibly radiation will follow soon. We are both in a great place in our hearts and thoughts...full of faith, hope and joy. Our home is still in Moab...about an hour and 45 min drive to Grand Junction. When we get a definite course of treatment, we will either stay here at Portal or move to the KOA at Grand Junction.

We left the canyon none too soon...

 

Look what I found in a bush by our patio...a white-lined Sphinx caterpillar...better known as a hornworm. This fellow will soon be migrating along the ground searching for the perfect soil to stage its next metamorphosis...

...a hummingbird moth. Pretty cool!

 

 

Well, until next time, take care...

I see a Gooney Bird!

and happy trails!

P.S. Thank you for your comments and e-mails. Please understand that Joe is not taking calls...he is receiving excellent care and is getting lots of rest...just what the doctor ordered!  

Sego Canyon - Rock Art and Ghost Town

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
August 17, 2014

U.S. 6

 Last Sunday's trail adventure was a ride thru Sego Canyon. To get to Sego Canyon head north on Highway 191 for about 30 miles, go under the I-70 bridge and turn right.

This little-used paved road is U.S. 6 and parallels the interstate. At Thompson Springs, turn left where U.S. 6 ends.

The trail begins about 4 miles after the left turn. It's an easy trail when dry, impassable when wet.
Sego, unlike most ghost towns in Utah, has a history of coal mining. A rancher named Harry Ballard (he lived in Thompson Springs) made the discovery in the early 1800s. He bought up all the land surrounding his find and began mining on a small scale. In 1911, he sold his mine to a group of investors who built a store, a boarding house, and other buildings. In 1947, the mine was closed.













The first rock panel we saw  was unlike any I have ever seen. It was from the Fremont people who lived throughout Utah and adjacent areas from 700 to 1300 AD.

According to the plaque above, these red painted figures are the oldest of the Fremont people in this area.

More recent Fremont period carvings are under the painted figures on the same panel.

 Nearby is another rock panel left by the Archaic people. From what I read, the Barrier Canyon style rock art is somewhere between 1500 and 4000 years old.   

It's so hard to believe that someone would vandalize these panels.

We also could see a panel across the road...



Ber and his wife Charlotte were our trail leaders. This was a first time trail for everyone else who went.









After the Sego Ghost Town, the trail traverses a ledge road with switchbacks...a climb of 5000 feet to reach the end of the trail with a locked gate.

Another week-end already. My how time flies! Until next time, stay safe and...

happy trails!