good-times-rollin

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!

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Hiking, Jeeping, Flying and Dining...part 2

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
June 4-9, 2015

Our adventures with Dee, Kathleen, Jim and Erja continues. On June 7th, our destination was Top of the World. Ronnie and Carol pulled into Portal the day before and we were thrilled to have them join us.

Weather has not been kind to this 4-wheel drive trail as it has steadily increased in difficulty through the years. Several places were very eroded leaving steep ledges to climb.

When we stopped for a break, the designs in this dead tree caught my eye. As I was making my way around to see the other side, I had quite a surprise!

A gopher snake was slithering toward the dead tree as well.

Alot of the trail twists and turns thru a pinyon pine and juniper forest...

We had lots of threatening clouds all around, but only a few drops of rain came our way.

After almost 10 miles, we reached the end of trail which just happens to be one of the most dramatic overlooks we have seen.

This was the first time Dee had driven Blanche on Top of the World.

Jim and Erja take in the view...

And what a view it was!

Fischer Towers to the west...

Looking down into Onion Creek area.

Kathleen gets a few pictures...Dee and Erja enjoy lunch with a view!

Our team L to R...Cooper, Jim, Dee, Erja behind Dee, Ronnie, Kathleen, Joe and Carol

Picture taken near Dewey Bridge at the trailhead for Top of the World.

The next morning, June 8th, Kathleen, Erja and I were up early and eager to do some hiking in Arches NP.

Our first stop was the Windows Arches area.

My favorite here is Double Arch.

This area was used as the opening backdrop for the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

There are no fences or guardrails...it's way fun to climb!

According to information I read, Double Arch is a pair of natural arches that share the same stone as a foundation for both the outer legs. Unlike most arches it was formed by water erosion from above (rather than the more typical erosion from the side) making it a pothole arch.

The largest of the two openings has a span of 148 ft. and a height of 104 ft.

Just across the road is the The Windows area. The trails here meander all around and even through the arches...three all total.

In the picture below, only one window is visible, but here are two windows (arches) which were formed in the same sandstone fin.

Within walking distance is Turret Arch. It is fun to climb as well. This fin is over 100 feet wide. The arch is "young" and small. Just to the left in the picture below is a very small opening and it is predicted that within a few hundred years or so the two of them will join to create a much larger arch.

The picture below shows our next destination...Delicate Arch.

Erja shows the magnificent size of this beautiful work of nature.

I think I heard a "WooHoo".

This masterpiece is a freestanding natural arch and is the most widely recognized landmark in Arches NP. Delicate Arch was first known as "The Chaps".