Wednesday, October 21, 2009
ALPINE LOOP
A few Sundays ago, Jolyn and I and our good friend Xavier drove the alpine loop and took some pictures. It was a peaceful reminder of the beauty in our own backyard. It was a cloudy day and the leaves had begun to change, providing for a great scenic backdrop. We hiked around a bit and talked of past experiences related to Fall weather.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
WHIRLWIND WEEKEND IN MOAB
Last week, Jolyn and I planned a busy trip to the Moab area. There were several things on the agenda, including some hiking, sightseeing, stargazing, and some slot canyon exploration. After deciding on an itinerary that seemed intense but doable, the weather forecast changed dramatically and the whole state of Utah looked like it was in for a lot of rain. This remained true through Friday night as rain began falling all over Utah. Undeterred, I stayed up most of the night on Friday, researching and checking the weather in the hopes of resurrecting our trip somehow. At about 4 in the morning, the weather forecast changed slightly, showing mostly sunny conditions for Moab, Green River, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef. I put together a trip that was a bit more easy going, woke up Jolyn for approval, than went to bed for a few hours.
We hit the road Saturday morning after cleaning our house and picking up our share from the local food co-op. Seeing that we left on Saturday, we realized that we would need to follow our itinerary very religiously in order to make the most of our trip. Because Moab is only 3 hours away, we had most of the day Saturday and all day Sunday to explore, hike, and take pictures.
The drive down was rainy, but fun. We drove through Price, following highway 6 all the way to Green River before heading west on I-70. Highway 6 was actually quite scenic. As we drove south, we paralleled the foreboding and craggy western edge of the book cliffs. The book cliffs border desolation Canyon all the way down to Green River. Desolation canyon was formed by the Green River and is one of the most remote sections of Utah. Not a single road penetrates this place and the only way in is to head south on the Green River itself. A dark storm followed us from Price to Green River and it made for some dramatic, high desert scenery. From there, the weather started to clear up. And as we pulled into Moab, only a half hour from Green River, it looked like it might actually get sunny.
Moab was packed with cars and motorcycles. It was a madhouse. Turns out that on Saturday night there was going to be a car parade or something. As we drove through town to our hotel, people were already lining the streets to watch pimped out cars drive down main street. Needless to say, we were kind of annoyed. On the upside, our hotel room was very nice and roomy. We quickly unpacked, got organized and left for Dead Horse Point.
As we drove North from Moab, the weather turned sour. The wind picked up and rain began falling. On our way up to Dead Horse point, we stopped at a few overlooks and took some pictures. It was bitter cold and the lighting was horrible, but I took a few anyway.
As we entered Dead Horse Point State Park, the storm had passed and the gray skies had started to melt away. I took a few pictures as the storm clouds rolled into the distance, and then finally, the sun emerged, lighting the whole valley before us in radiant reds and oranges.
Dead Horse Point is a promontory of stone surrounded by steep cliffs. The overlook at Dead Horse Point is 6,000 feet above sea level and 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, which winds its way through the canyon below. The overlook area is actually on a high cliff, surrounded by 2,000 foot drops on all sides. The views here are simply stunning.
After taking a few pictures, Jolyn and I hiked around the edge of the park, following one of the trails. We did some scrambling to get to a particularly scenic spot where we relaxed and watched the sun go down.
After a great evening at Dead Horse Point, we dove back to Moab for some dinner, where we ate at one of the best restaurants in Utah, The Center Cafe. This place is really incredible. We ate like kings and got dessert for free, which was the highlight of the experience. I ordered a cheese plate for dessert and what I got was more like a full on meal. My plate came with five different types of Spanish cheese, apple slices, raspberries, pear slices, bread, and some kind of jellied fruit. We mixed and matched everything, creating flavorful combinations the likes of which I have never before experienced. On top of that, Jolyn ordered a chocolate cake with raspberries. So we shared each other's desserts and left the restaurant feeling a little bit like gluttons.
The following morning, we hiked up Negro Bill Canyon, just a few miles from Moab on the Colorado River. This canyon was really majestic, with high red cliffs up above, and a small clear stream at the bottom. The trail followed the stream for the most part, crossing the water about 6 times before rising over a bluff and descending into a shady dell.
The hike was relatively easy, only two miles one way, four miles round trip. We took our time and enjoyed the scenery, before eating our lunch of fresh veggies and Cheez-Its in the shady dell under Morning Glory Natural Bridge.
Morning Glory was pretty amazing and well worth the hike. Next time you are in Moab, you should definitely try this one out. It only took us 3 1/2 hours to do the whole thing.
After returning to our car, we hit the road once again, heading back the way we came en route to Goblin Valley and Little Wild Horse Canyon. The weather fluctuated a lot as we traveled back to I-70. Once there, we headed west toward the San Rafael Swell. The edge of the swell (to our North as we headed West) is actually an ancient reef. Apparently, millions of years ago, Utah used to be near the equator and was covered in water. Over the years, Utah moved to its current place on the map, leaving behind geological evidence of its past. I was instantly fascinated with the San Rafael Reef and have since been looking into doing some camping in that area.
As we drove further away from Green River, we could see the weather changing in all directions. We could even see some rain falling to the North of us. Eventually, we turned South onto highway 24, a long, desolate stretch of highway that runs parallel to the reef. After driving south for 45 minutes, we came to a small road on our right and followed it west, heading directly toward the San Rafael Reef. This sometimes paved, red dirt road led us to Goblin Valley and Little Wild Horse Canyon.
We decided to explore Little Wild Horse Canyon first before it got too dark. We followed the red dirt road for six miles past all kinds of interesting geological uprisings and small plateaus. We parked our car in small dirt lot, changed clothes and organized our backpacks. Little Wild Horse Canyon is a slot canyon and slot canyons can be very dangerous. They are formed by the wear of water rushing through rock and are significantly deeper than they are wide. Storms 50 miles away can cause dangerous flash flooding in slot canyons, and several professionals advise avoiding hiking in them altogether if there is any sign of rain. Utah has the highest concentration of slot canyons in the world and Little Wild Horse canyon is among the most dangerous.
In all honesty, we should not have entered the canyon that day. It had been raining all weekend in other parts of the state and scattered rain had been prevalent throughout the area. In our defense, the initial weather report said that the Goblin Valley area was going to be partly sunny and dry. The skies above us were clear, and we were feeling adventurous, so we charged in.
You enter Little Wild Horse Canyon by following a dry, shallow creek bed which quickly narrows and passes by some high cliffs. After a short distance, the creek bed disappears entirely and before you lies a dark, narrow passageway. Once you enter this place, you feel like you are on another planet. Its foreboding and beautiful at the same time.
After passing through some wider sections of the canyon, we came upon some really deep and narrow sections that looked as if they had been carved out of the rock with a butter knife. These sections were long and dark, but were connected by wider ravines in between. These wider sections were a welcome sight after climbing through the narrows, as they allowed us to gain our bearings and check the skies above for rain clouds.
We hiked slowly, taking pictures and enjoying the mystical presence of the canyon. I used a tripod and longer exposures to take most of the pictures. Once you are in the narrows, there really isn't a whole lot of light.
After passing through three or four extrememly narrow sections, we came to a round ravine and saw storm clouds above us. Just as Jolyn suggested we turn around, I felt a drop of water on my face. In a panic, we looked at each other and decided to sprint back at full speed. We quickly loaded up the tripod and we ran. It was almost like being in a movie. Even now, as I write this, I can hear a pulsing film score in my head.
Running at full speed through a slot canyon wearing a backpack is not recommended, but we didn't really have a choice. I for one haven't felt that scared in my entire life. One after another, we passed small curves, narrow passageways, large boulders, and short drops. As we ran, I took note of any place that might allow a quick climb to higher ground in case the canyon began to flood. I pointed out several easy access climbing spots to Jolyn as we ran, but I think this made her even more scared. I was trying to be prepared for the worst. I remember noticing wet spots on the rocks below my feet as I ran and wondering just how much water could actually come rushing down the canyon. I even lamented some missed photo ops as I ran past them. Its funny what a person thinks about in a situation like that.
After exiting one of the narrow sections of the canyon, the wind began howling and the rain began falling harder. This was particularly scary. The sky was growing darker, my feet hurt and I was out of breath, but we kept running. Finally, we rounded a corner and found ourselves in a particularly wide section of the canyon where high ground was easy to reach and I knew we were safe. Even still, we walked briskly back through the narrow opening and into the dry creek bed beyond.
It was here in the creek bed that we finally looked back and saw large, black rain clouds descend on the entire area. Just minutes after leaving the parking lot, we could see heavy rain falling behind us in the rear view mirror. Exhausted, but alive, we decided to relax at Goblin Valley and eat some food before hitting the road and heading back to Provo.
Goblin Valley was dark and rainy upon our arrival, but we did a quick hike through the park anyway. After a few short minutes, our Little Wild Horse Canyon storm caught up with us, forcing us to wait in the car for the rain to pass. As luck would have it, the storm eventually passed and the sun emerged. We were quite lucky actually. From the parking lot at Goblin Valley, we could see mini rain storms all around us, all over the desert. But Goblin Valley was clear and the sun was painting the valley red and orange.
After taking as many pictures as I could before the sun set, we drove back to Green River for a well deserved cheeseburger. After a satisfying and relaxing meal at an all-night truck stop, we drove home on highway 6 under a blanket of stars. As you can imagine, we can't wait for our next weekend trip.
We hit the road Saturday morning after cleaning our house and picking up our share from the local food co-op. Seeing that we left on Saturday, we realized that we would need to follow our itinerary very religiously in order to make the most of our trip. Because Moab is only 3 hours away, we had most of the day Saturday and all day Sunday to explore, hike, and take pictures.
The drive down was rainy, but fun. We drove through Price, following highway 6 all the way to Green River before heading west on I-70. Highway 6 was actually quite scenic. As we drove south, we paralleled the foreboding and craggy western edge of the book cliffs. The book cliffs border desolation Canyon all the way down to Green River. Desolation canyon was formed by the Green River and is one of the most remote sections of Utah. Not a single road penetrates this place and the only way in is to head south on the Green River itself. A dark storm followed us from Price to Green River and it made for some dramatic, high desert scenery. From there, the weather started to clear up. And as we pulled into Moab, only a half hour from Green River, it looked like it might actually get sunny.
Moab was packed with cars and motorcycles. It was a madhouse. Turns out that on Saturday night there was going to be a car parade or something. As we drove through town to our hotel, people were already lining the streets to watch pimped out cars drive down main street. Needless to say, we were kind of annoyed. On the upside, our hotel room was very nice and roomy. We quickly unpacked, got organized and left for Dead Horse Point.
As we drove North from Moab, the weather turned sour. The wind picked up and rain began falling. On our way up to Dead Horse point, we stopped at a few overlooks and took some pictures. It was bitter cold and the lighting was horrible, but I took a few anyway.
As we entered Dead Horse Point State Park, the storm had passed and the gray skies had started to melt away. I took a few pictures as the storm clouds rolled into the distance, and then finally, the sun emerged, lighting the whole valley before us in radiant reds and oranges.
Dead Horse Point is a promontory of stone surrounded by steep cliffs. The overlook at Dead Horse Point is 6,000 feet above sea level and 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, which winds its way through the canyon below. The overlook area is actually on a high cliff, surrounded by 2,000 foot drops on all sides. The views here are simply stunning.
After taking a few pictures, Jolyn and I hiked around the edge of the park, following one of the trails. We did some scrambling to get to a particularly scenic spot where we relaxed and watched the sun go down.
After a great evening at Dead Horse Point, we dove back to Moab for some dinner, where we ate at one of the best restaurants in Utah, The Center Cafe. This place is really incredible. We ate like kings and got dessert for free, which was the highlight of the experience. I ordered a cheese plate for dessert and what I got was more like a full on meal. My plate came with five different types of Spanish cheese, apple slices, raspberries, pear slices, bread, and some kind of jellied fruit. We mixed and matched everything, creating flavorful combinations the likes of which I have never before experienced. On top of that, Jolyn ordered a chocolate cake with raspberries. So we shared each other's desserts and left the restaurant feeling a little bit like gluttons.
The following morning, we hiked up Negro Bill Canyon, just a few miles from Moab on the Colorado River. This canyon was really majestic, with high red cliffs up above, and a small clear stream at the bottom. The trail followed the stream for the most part, crossing the water about 6 times before rising over a bluff and descending into a shady dell.
The hike was relatively easy, only two miles one way, four miles round trip. We took our time and enjoyed the scenery, before eating our lunch of fresh veggies and Cheez-Its in the shady dell under Morning Glory Natural Bridge.
Morning Glory was pretty amazing and well worth the hike. Next time you are in Moab, you should definitely try this one out. It only took us 3 1/2 hours to do the whole thing.
After returning to our car, we hit the road once again, heading back the way we came en route to Goblin Valley and Little Wild Horse Canyon. The weather fluctuated a lot as we traveled back to I-70. Once there, we headed west toward the San Rafael Swell. The edge of the swell (to our North as we headed West) is actually an ancient reef. Apparently, millions of years ago, Utah used to be near the equator and was covered in water. Over the years, Utah moved to its current place on the map, leaving behind geological evidence of its past. I was instantly fascinated with the San Rafael Reef and have since been looking into doing some camping in that area.
As we drove further away from Green River, we could see the weather changing in all directions. We could even see some rain falling to the North of us. Eventually, we turned South onto highway 24, a long, desolate stretch of highway that runs parallel to the reef. After driving south for 45 minutes, we came to a small road on our right and followed it west, heading directly toward the San Rafael Reef. This sometimes paved, red dirt road led us to Goblin Valley and Little Wild Horse Canyon.
We decided to explore Little Wild Horse Canyon first before it got too dark. We followed the red dirt road for six miles past all kinds of interesting geological uprisings and small plateaus. We parked our car in small dirt lot, changed clothes and organized our backpacks. Little Wild Horse Canyon is a slot canyon and slot canyons can be very dangerous. They are formed by the wear of water rushing through rock and are significantly deeper than they are wide. Storms 50 miles away can cause dangerous flash flooding in slot canyons, and several professionals advise avoiding hiking in them altogether if there is any sign of rain. Utah has the highest concentration of slot canyons in the world and Little Wild Horse canyon is among the most dangerous.
In all honesty, we should not have entered the canyon that day. It had been raining all weekend in other parts of the state and scattered rain had been prevalent throughout the area. In our defense, the initial weather report said that the Goblin Valley area was going to be partly sunny and dry. The skies above us were clear, and we were feeling adventurous, so we charged in.
You enter Little Wild Horse Canyon by following a dry, shallow creek bed which quickly narrows and passes by some high cliffs. After a short distance, the creek bed disappears entirely and before you lies a dark, narrow passageway. Once you enter this place, you feel like you are on another planet. Its foreboding and beautiful at the same time.
After passing through some wider sections of the canyon, we came upon some really deep and narrow sections that looked as if they had been carved out of the rock with a butter knife. These sections were long and dark, but were connected by wider ravines in between. These wider sections were a welcome sight after climbing through the narrows, as they allowed us to gain our bearings and check the skies above for rain clouds.
We hiked slowly, taking pictures and enjoying the mystical presence of the canyon. I used a tripod and longer exposures to take most of the pictures. Once you are in the narrows, there really isn't a whole lot of light.
After passing through three or four extrememly narrow sections, we came to a round ravine and saw storm clouds above us. Just as Jolyn suggested we turn around, I felt a drop of water on my face. In a panic, we looked at each other and decided to sprint back at full speed. We quickly loaded up the tripod and we ran. It was almost like being in a movie. Even now, as I write this, I can hear a pulsing film score in my head.
Running at full speed through a slot canyon wearing a backpack is not recommended, but we didn't really have a choice. I for one haven't felt that scared in my entire life. One after another, we passed small curves, narrow passageways, large boulders, and short drops. As we ran, I took note of any place that might allow a quick climb to higher ground in case the canyon began to flood. I pointed out several easy access climbing spots to Jolyn as we ran, but I think this made her even more scared. I was trying to be prepared for the worst. I remember noticing wet spots on the rocks below my feet as I ran and wondering just how much water could actually come rushing down the canyon. I even lamented some missed photo ops as I ran past them. Its funny what a person thinks about in a situation like that.
After exiting one of the narrow sections of the canyon, the wind began howling and the rain began falling harder. This was particularly scary. The sky was growing darker, my feet hurt and I was out of breath, but we kept running. Finally, we rounded a corner and found ourselves in a particularly wide section of the canyon where high ground was easy to reach and I knew we were safe. Even still, we walked briskly back through the narrow opening and into the dry creek bed beyond.
It was here in the creek bed that we finally looked back and saw large, black rain clouds descend on the entire area. Just minutes after leaving the parking lot, we could see heavy rain falling behind us in the rear view mirror. Exhausted, but alive, we decided to relax at Goblin Valley and eat some food before hitting the road and heading back to Provo.
Goblin Valley was dark and rainy upon our arrival, but we did a quick hike through the park anyway. After a few short minutes, our Little Wild Horse Canyon storm caught up with us, forcing us to wait in the car for the rain to pass. As luck would have it, the storm eventually passed and the sun emerged. We were quite lucky actually. From the parking lot at Goblin Valley, we could see mini rain storms all around us, all over the desert. But Goblin Valley was clear and the sun was painting the valley red and orange.
After taking as many pictures as I could before the sun set, we drove back to Green River for a well deserved cheeseburger. After a satisfying and relaxing meal at an all-night truck stop, we drove home on highway 6 under a blanket of stars. As you can imagine, we can't wait for our next weekend trip.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
EARLY SPRING IN AMERICAN FORK CANYON
The snow here in Utah Valley has finally melted and Jolyn and I can't wait to get back outside and do some traveling. Unfortunately, Jolyn had strep throat this past week and it forced us to spend a lot of time inside the house. But with Jolyn's throat finally on the mend and a beautiful spring day calling our names, we decided to spend our Sunday afternoon in American Fork Canyon, relaxing below Tibble Fork Reservoir. Initially, we wanted to go up to Cascade Springs, but the Alpine Loop was closed due to snow.After driving up to the reservoir and scoping out our options, we found a nice spot in some shade next to a creek, where we munched on chips and veggies and drank some delicious red birch beer.
Jolyn had the idea to chill our beverages in the last vestiges of remaining snow. If you've never tried Boylan's Creamy Red Birch Beer, I highly recommend it.
We ate our snacks in silence, listening to the still waters and appreciating the mountain wilderness that lies just 30 minutes from our home. We realized that on the weekends that we aren't traveling, there's a lot to do and see right here along the Wasatch front.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
THE GREAT STONE FACE
Over the weekend, Jolyn and I accompanied our friends, Torben, Marissa, and Jo Ellen to the middle of nowhere to see a giant rock formation of the Mormon prophet, Joseph Smith. Of course we were pretty skeptical that a naturally-occurring rock formation could resemble Joseph Smith, but Torben and Marissa insisted that the resemblance was uncanny, so we decided to go and see for ourselves. Apparently, locals refer to the giant rock as "Great Stone Face."
The drive was relatively short and enjoyable and we picked up some snacks at a retro-looking diner/gas station along the way. We even spent some time in a really eclectic rock shop in Delta, scouring over precious stones and Utah relics before making the trek to see this "Great Stone Face." Torben and Marissa bought some incense and Jolyn and I bought a little statue of delicate arch and some polished rocks to make jewelry with.
After spending an hour or so in the shop, we drove out of town through some high desert to our destination. We parked our car in small dirt lot and grabbed our cameras. There before us was a mountain, covered in boulders and shrubs. At the top of the mountain, was a large rock-formation, and it didn't look anything like Joseph Smith. A short debate ensued as we began our hike up the small mountain. I was convinced that this whole trip was much ado about nothing.
But as we drew closer and closer to the large boulder on top of the mountain, Joseph Smith's profile became more and more apparent. I couldn't believe it.
As I began to realize that this huge boulder actually did resemble the profile of Joseph Smith, I apologized for my "lack of faith" and started taking pictures. Torben was already all over it.
Actually, everyone was pretty awestruck. The whole experience felt very mystical, much like I imagine early Mormonism being. The view from the top of the mountain was amazing, so we sat in the shade, ate some snacks, talked, and took in the sights.
Here is a comparison that helps illustrate just how much the "Great Stone Face" actually resembles the profile of Joseph Smith.
After marveling at the sights and taking a few pictures, Marissa decided to burn her incense. We took turns "pouring" the fragrant smoke on one another and climbed all over Joseph Smith's rocky face. We also manufactured some great pictures. Each of us took turns posing and taking pictures for one another.
The drive was relatively short and enjoyable and we picked up some snacks at a retro-looking diner/gas station along the way. We even spent some time in a really eclectic rock shop in Delta, scouring over precious stones and Utah relics before making the trek to see this "Great Stone Face." Torben and Marissa bought some incense and Jolyn and I bought a little statue of delicate arch and some polished rocks to make jewelry with.
After spending an hour or so in the shop, we drove out of town through some high desert to our destination. We parked our car in small dirt lot and grabbed our cameras. There before us was a mountain, covered in boulders and shrubs. At the top of the mountain, was a large rock-formation, and it didn't look anything like Joseph Smith. A short debate ensued as we began our hike up the small mountain. I was convinced that this whole trip was much ado about nothing.
But as we drew closer and closer to the large boulder on top of the mountain, Joseph Smith's profile became more and more apparent. I couldn't believe it.
As I began to realize that this huge boulder actually did resemble the profile of Joseph Smith, I apologized for my "lack of faith" and started taking pictures. Torben was already all over it.
Actually, everyone was pretty awestruck. The whole experience felt very mystical, much like I imagine early Mormonism being. The view from the top of the mountain was amazing, so we sat in the shade, ate some snacks, talked, and took in the sights.
Here is a comparison that helps illustrate just how much the "Great Stone Face" actually resembles the profile of Joseph Smith.
After marveling at the sights and taking a few pictures, Marissa decided to burn her incense. We took turns "pouring" the fragrant smoke on one another and climbed all over Joseph Smith's rocky face. We also manufactured some great pictures. Each of us took turns posing and taking pictures for one another.
Friday, October 10, 2008
CALIFORNIA NORTH AND SOUTH
Jolyn and I just got back from a totally amazing road trip. It was spur of the moment, it was pretty cheap, and it was life-changing. Here is the route we took:
Originally, we went to LA to shoot some footage and take care of some administrative things for CLEANFLIX, my documentary about edited movies and Mormons. But after that, we decided to see the Redwoods. I've always wanted to go there, especially after seeing Return of the Jedi as a kid. We had a few days to spare and nothing to do back home, so we went for it. I don't think we realized how far away the Redwoods were at the time and I'm kind of glad we didn't. It could have kept us from going.
So we hit the open road, looking for adventure and romance. We avoided San Jose and San Fran, having just been there earlier in the year. Instead, we decided to drive through Napa Valley and connect with the coast in Fort Bragg. It was a lot of driving and a lot of This American Life, which seemed fitting as we traveled through small towns, farmland, and high desert. We left LA around lunch time and were in Napa Valley by late evening. We stopped a few times for food or gas, but all in all, made pretty good time.
As we drove through Napa Valley, the fragrant aroma of wine and grapes wafted through the car. We rolled down the windows and soaked in the sights and smells. We passed through delightful villages and paused on several occasions to look at stars. Delicious food and wine was beckoning us, but we knew that we needed to be back to work in just a few days and avoided the temptation to stay in Napa, and pushed on toward the Redwoods.
That night, after driving until 2 AM, we spent the night in Willits, a small blue collar community about 45 minutes east of the coast that proudly proclaims to be the gateway to the Redwoods. We slept well. I dreamed of large tress and waves and sun.
The next morning, we woke early and headed west toward Fort Bragg and the coast. Our iPod was playing early Bob Dylan. The sun was shining. The tank was full.
The drive from Willits to Fort Bragg is just beautiful. Having not seen the landscape for some time after a night of driving, the lush green coastal vegetation was overwhelming. Its amazing how quickly the landscape changes as you draw nearer to the coast. We drove through beautiful forests and mountainous countryside down a winding, two-lane road full of logging trucks and moss and ferns until finally reaching the charming downtown of Fort Bragg and the wild coast beyond.
Originally, we went to LA to shoot some footage and take care of some administrative things for CLEANFLIX, my documentary about edited movies and Mormons. But after that, we decided to see the Redwoods. I've always wanted to go there, especially after seeing Return of the Jedi as a kid. We had a few days to spare and nothing to do back home, so we went for it. I don't think we realized how far away the Redwoods were at the time and I'm kind of glad we didn't. It could have kept us from going.
So we hit the open road, looking for adventure and romance. We avoided San Jose and San Fran, having just been there earlier in the year. Instead, we decided to drive through Napa Valley and connect with the coast in Fort Bragg. It was a lot of driving and a lot of This American Life, which seemed fitting as we traveled through small towns, farmland, and high desert. We left LA around lunch time and were in Napa Valley by late evening. We stopped a few times for food or gas, but all in all, made pretty good time.
As we drove through Napa Valley, the fragrant aroma of wine and grapes wafted through the car. We rolled down the windows and soaked in the sights and smells. We passed through delightful villages and paused on several occasions to look at stars. Delicious food and wine was beckoning us, but we knew that we needed to be back to work in just a few days and avoided the temptation to stay in Napa, and pushed on toward the Redwoods.
That night, after driving until 2 AM, we spent the night in Willits, a small blue collar community about 45 minutes east of the coast that proudly proclaims to be the gateway to the Redwoods. We slept well. I dreamed of large tress and waves and sun.
The next morning, we woke early and headed west toward Fort Bragg and the coast. Our iPod was playing early Bob Dylan. The sun was shining. The tank was full.
The drive from Willits to Fort Bragg is just beautiful. Having not seen the landscape for some time after a night of driving, the lush green coastal vegetation was overwhelming. Its amazing how quickly the landscape changes as you draw nearer to the coast. We drove through beautiful forests and mountainous countryside down a winding, two-lane road full of logging trucks and moss and ferns until finally reaching the charming downtown of Fort Bragg and the wild coast beyond.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
ALL HAIL THE HIGH UINTAS
So this past weekend, Jolyn and I decided to go camping. It was a last minute decision and the weather looked a bit foreboding, but we went anyway, hoping for an adventure and a chance to commune with Mother Earth. For those of you who don't know, Jolyn and I both work from home in front of a computer. So every once and a while, we get stir crazy and go out into the wilderness to release our pent up energy. We hiked 2.5 miles over a pass and down into a beautiful valley and found Long Lake. We camped next to the lake in a small clearing right next to a bubbling brook.
The hike was moderately difficult, but well worth it. We found a really great campsite with huge logs all around the fire pit and a homemade chair that was attached to one of the logs with bungee chords.
That night was one of the clearest and most peaceful in recent memory. I sat in the homemade chair, drank my hot apple cider, and contemplated the universe under a deep blue sky of stars.
The next day, we went fishing, but were caught in a big rainstorm. It started hailing and the wind picked up. It was pretty intense. We hid under a bridge during the first wave of the storm. After the rain died down, we packed up our gear and headed back over the pass.
We were at the summit of Mount Thompson (around 12,000 feet up) when lightning struck and hail began falling again. But this time, the storm was much more intense. The rain was thick, fast, and heavy. The hail was marble-sized and cold. The trail turned into a muddy river and large sections of earth were washed down the mountainside. I would be lying if I said we weren't scared. The hail was so thick on the ground that large sections of the mountain appeared to be covered in snow. Needless to say, Jolyn and I were forced to hurry off the mountain. And by the time we got to the car, we were utterly drenched, but feeling excited and very much alive. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
SUMMER CAMPING BEHIND MT. NEBO
A few weeks ago, Jolyn and I spent our weekend camping behind Mt. Nebo with our good friends, Torben and Marissa. Mt. Nebo Wilderness is only 30 minutes from Provo and is one of the less-traveled areas in the Wasatch mountains. We hiked in just before dusk, following a muddy trail often used by cattle. It was pretty slow going at first. The trail meandered down a steep valley for two miles until finally leveling out in a small clearing where several trails met at a crossroads. It was here that we heard a small stream in the distance.By that time, it was getting dark and we were anxious to get our camp set up, but after reading a few signs, we realized that our muddy trail might not lead to a suitable campsite anytime soon. So the four of us decided to blaze our own trail and follow the sound of the water instead. After taking a quick break and snapping a few photos, we fired up our flashlights and marched into the woods.
Needless to say, we all got a bit scratched up from twigs and branches along the way, but after a short descent through some pine trees, the forest gave way to a large clearing. There in the distance, glittering in the moonlight, was our stream.
We set up camp, cooked our tinfoil dinners and spent the night stargazing and talking. But it wasn't until the following morning that we realized just how spectacular our location really was.
We went on a few day hikes, but mostly just wasted time in our private meadow, napping, reading, talking, eating, and dipping our feet in the stream.
I also made it a point to bathe in the creek, using biodegradable soap of course. About 100 yards up from our campsite, the creek tumbled through a small rocky crevasse, creating some deeper pools. It was there that I bathed, and man was it worth it. It was cold and refreshing.
I'm not entirely sure that we could find this place again, but it was definitely worth the effort. We had plenty of firewood, plenty of water, and plenty of solitude.
We had logs to sit on too. I'm telling you, this was a great campsite. The only thing we missed during the day was a bit of shade.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
WYOMING WILDERNESS
My parents have a really great dog. Her name is Rosie and she's a a Golden Doodle, which is a hybrid between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. She loves toys and she loves to lick people in the face. Jolyn and I agreed to watch Rosie for five days while my parents went out of town, but we also really wanted to go on a road trip to Wyoming that weekend, so we took Rosie with us on our adventure and she actually made things a lot more fun. Rosie loves attention, and not just getting it, but giving it too. The long hours on the road made her a bit stir crazy and she started to pass the time by licking us in the face.
We drove up through Idaho and spent the night in Idaho Falls for the first two nights. I actually had some filming to do in several Idaho cities, including Idaho Falls and Rexburg for a documentary that I've been directing. So we spent the first night and following day working on my film before heading up to Yellowstone National Park. As soon as we entered the park, we started to see all kinds of wildlife.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
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