Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
April 21, 2016
If you are ever in Moab and want to enjoy a quiet, peaceful walk among the reeds, Scott M. Matheson Wetlands Preserve is just the spot.
From Main Street/Hwy 191 turn west onto Kane Creek Rd. at the McDonalds. The preserve parking lot will be about .81 of a mile on the right. It is well marked.
Joe and I had the pleasure of spending time with Sue and Dave (belugasexcellentadventure.blogspot.com) at this magical place where water meets earth...a stark contrast from the red rock cliffs that surround it.
As we rounded a corner, we stopped dead in our tracks.
It seems turkeys have the right of way. Sue and Dave identified these as Rio Grande Wild Turkeys.
Rio Turkeys thrive in cottonwood river bottoms. They eat pine nuts, acorns, juniper berries, grasses, weed seeds, and leafy green vegetation. Benjamin Franklin called the wild turkey "a bird of courage" and if he had had his way, the wild turkey would be our country's national symbol. These are the largest of all Utah's game birds.
These handsome fellows were quite noisy and it's no wonder...courtship begins in early spring. Miss turkey was headed the other way!
Sue also identified this Spotted Towhee. What a beauty! They spend most of their time in leaf litter. But I did read that spring is a good time to catch an unobstructed view of them as the males climb into the shrubs/trees to sing their buzzy songs.
We also walked down to the Colorado river.
These Cinnamon Teals were having fun riding the current and then swimming back.
Such a delightful day...
Until next time, happy days and...
Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
April 17, 2015
To say we have been busy having fun would be an understatement. My how time flies.
Metal Masher was a scheduled ride by Moab Friends For Wheeling for April 17. What fun it is to spend the day with these great people. To get there, follow Gemini Bridges Road for 6.1 miles, then make a right turn on the well-marked trail. The loop (almost 12 miles) is rated difficult.
Mirror Gulch, the obstacle below, is a tight squeeze and requires the Moab bump.
Arths Rim is a narrow ledgy rim ride with spectacular views. The beginning of the rim ride faces Hwy 191 with views of the LaSals and the valley. The overlook below is always a favorite stopping spot.
Once the trail drops down the ledges in the picture below, it sorta parallels Hyw 313 (which goes to Canyonlands NP).
If you look closely, you can see 313 right/center in the photo below. Its one of those WOW rides...twisty, ledgy, and beautiful vistas.
We love watching the big jeeps/buggies play. Here Glen makes a smooth, effortless climb up Rock Chucker.
And Dee makes Widow Maker look like a simple drive on a country road.
Thanks to Glen, we got up Widow Maker just fine...
Our lunch with a view...
And a peaceful ride through Arths Pasture admiring the clouds, the LaSals, Behind the Rocks, and the very green desert to end the day.
Until next time, happy days and...
HAPPY TRAILS!
