Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Capital Reef…What a Surprise

I know these Posts are falling behind…but stay with me…please.

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©2014Horst Kelly photographer

Its now Monday 8 Sept…It rained last night and it continues to drizzle through out the day….I suppose I could stay in Ms Casita and do some reading…or I could jump into old griff and make a dash to Capital Reef National Park …was never on my I want to see list…but with the “in transit mid course reroutes”, I’ve been able to experience some great “new stuff”….Capital Reef being one of those. Made a large cup of coffee and headed west on Rt 24..what a magnificent drive it was…..though it was raining on and off for most of the trip. it was a fascinating experience…to me it is one of the Jewels of Utah…the problem is that it reveals but a small part of its self to the travel along Rt 24….it is a haven for hikers…but again the weather prevented that from happening on this visit.

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©2014Horst Kelly Photographer

To me what I began to realize is the great Geological Diversity of its landscape…Cliffs, ridges, domes, canyons, etc, come in a huge diversity of colors…though with the overcast it was difficult to capture that on “film”.

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©2014HorstKelly Photographer

In addition you have the surprise of  an Oasis of Orchards at Fruita…You can pick and eat as you wander around ..a great treat and stopover….I enjoyed the sour apples!

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©2014Horst Kelly Photographer

To my disappointment, the one scenic dive was closed do to a “Flash Flood watch”…but Rt 24 provides ample vistas to view and it has numerous pullovers…I spent about half a day driving an  stopping….it was a “detour well spent”…if the weather had gotten better I would have gone back for a whole day adventure…but it was not meant to be as Tuesday was suppose to me worse than today…

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©2014Horst Kelly photographer

..And indeed it is…it rained most of Monday night..I woke up to a very wet and muddy campground…at first I decided to extend my stay as I didn’t want to travel in this weather…as the morning wore on, the rain let up, I was bored and decided to hitch up, take my chances and head south on US 95…..

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School House in Fruita…teacher never returned after first year summer break….©2014Horst Kelly Photographer

Stay tuned for the next segment…a Total Surprise….more Lemonade …..by the Buckets Full….Horst sends

12 comments:

  1. I love Capitol Reef park. From the scenic drive you can take two different roads into a couple of washes. The hike in the washes is very flat as ;you walk alongside high cliffs. The trails up would be more than your legs can handle but the flat trails through the washes are trails your legs can handle. Both washes are worth the time for sure. If you go back in the area the Bullforg-Notom road is another must drive.

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    1. With the weather there was no real hiking...though if I go back I sure would like to try some of those trails...thanks for the info...take care..Horst sends

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  2. Despite the rain....you are sure offering up some beautiful stops. I love pulling up your photos on the big screen.

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    1. Thanks..I am enjoying this trip and finding my way to nonprogrammed places...and there seems to be a lot of photo ops....life is good :) travel safe...Horst sends

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  3. Lovely shots despite the rain, just a little more subdued. I loved the old school house and the comment about the teachers not returning after summer vacation. :D

    Looking forward to more lemonade!

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    1. Thanks Sharon...I like these "go on the fly" finds....makes for any interesting journey...hope all is going well with you Guys...take care...Horst sends

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  4. Incredible beauty there, Horst. Love the Fruita Campground.

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    1. Yup that was a super unscheduled stop and boy am I glad the road took me there....even with iffy weather it was awesome...Been thinking about you...did you see the post on making friends with a Raven at Canyonlands...named him "Rob"...since you have a great admiration for Ravens...I hope that was alright, as I meant it in a positive way...Take care...Horst sends

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  5. Sorry you had rain while in Capitol Reef. Such a beautiful place with the sun shining on all that rock. I love lemonade.....

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    1. Well, I suppose I need to schedule a 'revisit" sometime down the road...its been a awesome "lemonade journey" and it keeps getting better...Hope you and Wanda are having a great time in the east Coast....safe travels ...Horst sends

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  6. Horst, you better be careful or you will be back in San Antone before it is cool enough to be in San Antone.

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    1. Yup...I told the Bride I may have to stay gone a little longer.. :) she told me it was cooled down the last 3/4 days..oh well, I tried...Horst sends

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