I've spent the last couple days checking out Capitol Reef National Park. It's probably the least visited of the 5 national parks here in Utah. Compared to the others I've seen and will see I guess this makes sense, but this park a beauty all it's own and is certainly worth a visit.
It's been warm here cracking 90 degrees both days. Due to the heat it's been tough to go on any long hikes so each day I've done small ones and made the most of the other sites within the park that are viewable via car. The main attraction to the park is the scenic drive which contains amazing geological beauty but personally I would say the drive into the park to the visitor center is as good if not better...
The campground well situated between to sets of cliffs and is a nice oasis during the hottest part of the day. It's bordered by fruit tree groves and Mormon homesteads. The local deer love this area and meander along under the trees eating just about all day...
At my Mom's request here is a shot of my campsite complete with a friend deer in the background...
On Thursday night I was blessed to witness one of the wildest sunsets I've ever seen. A summer storm swooped in from the west side of the park as the sun was going down. From the aptly named sunset point a trifecta of Mother Nature's biggest hits combined into a thing of beauty. It was completely magical and awesome. I got to see the sunset's rays directly hitting the storm cloud while a rainbow flanked the cloud to the right. The shot below isn't bad but there is absolutely no way that I could truly capture this with the camera, but as you can guess, I tried...
Well, I'm now off to Goblin State Park to commune with the goblins and hopefully if the weather holds out, visit a slot canyon or two. I hope all is well with everyone.
The wanderer
5 comments:
Nice campsite. Wher did all that green come from? I just remember a lot of red and brown. If you do decide to head a bit more south and maybe touch into Arizona, there is a little town called Mexican Hat on your way out of UT. STAY AWAY FROM MEXICAN HAT. Hot, little scenery, and ants the size of big ants that will cary you away in your sleep.
Haha. Wow, why all the Mexican Hat hate? I guess I should have read your comment sooner. Mexican Hat...been there dont that. I even took a picture of the famous hat itself! Did not stay there but when through there on my way to Monument Valley. Mexican Hat didn't seem any worse than some of the other tiny towns I've been through in Utah.
Uncle Mike, good to catch up on your wonderings. How's it been sleeping on the ground all this time. Where is mom and dad catching up with you. Thanks Mom for getting Mike to take the tent shot. Are you "leaving the light on" for the deer. Cheers - Sis
These pictutres are great and thank you for the one with the deer. Your mom has great taste : -)
Hey Mike~ I saw a once in a lifetime sunset like that once too after a tornado - there is no way words can describe something like that, but your pic does do a pretty good job of it I think. Glad to hear you're making the most of your freedom!
kb
Post a Comment