Day 11 ~

JJ

     I had planned to spend the entire day at Capitol Reef, hiking and photographing.  However, I got a text from the realtor, he needs to overnight some paperwork to me that I have to sign in front of a notary and return to him in order to close on the two south parcels in Stevi.  Thus, I spent the early morning checking with the manager for the correct address for FedEx to deliver, and inquiring about a notary.  The notary could be a problem; Torrey has a population of 174 and no banks.  The closest bank is about 37 miles away and they may or may not have a notary.  Richfield may be my best shot, there is a Wells Fargo branch there.  One of the challenges has been getting the closing done with the attendant paperwork involved.  

     So, got a late start but spent some time driving the scenic route through the Fruita historic area.  I was hoping to find something similar to Garnet Ghost Town with restored buildings to photograph, but the Fruita area isn’t quite as extensive.  I enjoyed exploring, but it was pretty crowded by the time I arrived and, of course, many of the buildings were closed due to coronavirus concerns.  *SIGH*   I stopped in several wide spots to photograph the stunning rock formations where there was room to set up the tripod, and I also grabbed a few phone photos to share.  I enjoyed the contract between the lovely, cool orchards by the Fremont River with the soaring rock walls of the Reef.  I do wish that the high point areas in Capitol Reef NP had better signage pointing the way for out of towners.  I passed the access to one of the places recommended by the RV park manager twice and never did see it.  Maybe it’s just a hazard of being both the driver and the navigator.

     Just realized the other day that paying myself for my accounting work could be a little problematic since our bank is local and doesn’t have any branches outside of Montana.  However, I discovered that they do have an app for remote capture deposits.  I’m waiting to hear that it is set to go before I write the first check to me. 

     We had a few clouds this evening so a little bit of color for the sunset.  Jake watched from his bed inside the trailer.

                                                                                                                                                                                                      SDG

Sandstone cliffs

The Fluted Wall

Barn near Gifford House store

Jake relaxing

A little color at sunset

Day 12 ~

JJ

     Looks like the paperwork went to Tennessee, not sure why a package originating in Montana would have to go to Tennessee to get to Utah…..

     Time to work on photography - sunset pictures from the Sunset trial in Capitol Reef NP.  Pack up the gear and the dog, prepare for a trip out in the dark, and off we go!  I thought there was a possibility that I would end up out on the trail by myself.  Didn’t take long to disabuse me of that notion!  Lots and lots of company.  I staked out a spot on the trail, some way down from the end point so as to not interfere with others that might want to take photos as well.  Waited, waited, waited - took a few shots as the colors change on the rock face I picked out.  And, wait for it, just after sundown, the colors I hoped for began to appear.  Had to change batteries, but that’s why I have extras!  At one point a nice gentleman asked if I minded if he shared my spot and I replied, “No problem, I didn’t make it, God did!”  And, boy, did He ever!!  My in-camera reviews look good, but I haven’t pulled them up in Lightroom yet.  (Side note: I probably should not have streamed movies and the town halls, I appear to be out of high-speed internet until the next billing cycle.  For once, I ran out before Dylan!  At any rate, there is no point in trying to do anything in Lightroom with a 600 mbps connection so it will have to wait.

    Late dinner and off to bed after watching the start of Rooster Cogburn.                                                                 SDG

Day 13 ~

JJ

      Another waiting day as the paperwork is now due to arrive sometime this afternoon.  If it is early enough, I will drive to Loa to the bank for the notary.  Otherwise I will have to wait until tomorrow to go.  I plan to do some grocery shopping as well.          

     Worked on accounting stuff and cleaned up N’ohana, did some research regarding the next few days of this trip.  Heard on the radio that the Kokanee salmon run has begun.  One of the locations for viewing (snagging in Utah is not allowed as they want to allow as much natural spawn as possible) is Fish Lake, not far from Loa so a side trip is in order if the paperwork arrives early enough.  

     FedEx finally arrived around 2:30, so Jake and I hit the road to Loa.  Got to the bank in time for notarizing, but too late to take to a FedEx location.  So, off to the lake.  What an awesome sight!!  There is a boardwalk along Twin Creek to allow for watching without damage to the creek banks.  I loved seeing so many huge fish all working their way upstream, some just seemingly along for the ride as I learned that only breeding age males turn that spectacular red color and many of these were the usual dark gray, bluish color.  I found that photographing salmon is an art that I will need to develop before that trip to Alaska!!  But, I get manage some pretty cool video with my phone.                                                                                                                                  SDG

 “A man’s mind plan his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”  Proverbs  16:9

Day 14 ~

JJ

     The wind continues to blow like crazy here in Torrey.  I had planned to do some things outside, but instead have opted to just spend the time indoors.  I have plenty of accounting work that needs to be done and lots of books to read, the outdoor stuff can wait.  This would be a good opportunity to learn more about my Photopills app and how it can help me plan for and take better photographs.  I first learned about this app at the Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula where I took a couple of classes.  Hopefully the wind will lessen some tomorrow.                                                                                                                                                                        SDG

“Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord.”   Psalm 27:14 

Day 15 ~

JJ

    According to the locals, it is windy here before a storm.  If that is the case, there must be one heck of a storm coming because this is like being in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where the wind blows all the time.   It wasn’t as bad today as it has been for the past few days, so I loaded Jake and we went to Capitol Reef one more time.  I had not been able to capture a decent shot of the rock formation that is responsible for half of the name of the park.  The one that resembles the Capitol Dome in Washington, D.C.  Checked that box today, along with some pretty good shots of the School House and other bits of the historical parts of the Fruita area.   Reading about the families that came to live in this valley, quite isolated from the rest of the surrounding area, helped me appreciate the meaning of real cooperation.  These few families could only depend upon one another, for help with harvest, building, learning, medical needs, all the things that we take for granted.   Even though they might have had differing opinions, what counted most was that they help one another.  We could all take a lesson from them.

     The rock walls are a never-ending source of wonder. What a diverse country our God has created for our enjoyment!!  More than ever today I was wishing that Bill were here in more than spirit to share the experience with me.  Some days are just that way. So many years of long driving/camping trips just leave me wistful.  I know that God took him at the right time because that is what He does.  And, I know that Bill will be there to greet me when it is my turn. “Between now and then, ‘til I see you again, I’ll be loving you.  Love, me.”

“Do not grieve for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  Nehemiah 8:10 NIV                                               SDG

Day 16 ~

JJ

I spent most of today just doing accounting work, heaven knows I need to get it done!  But, also, for some reason I am feeling apprehensive about tomorrow’s drive.  Maybe it is just the wind frazzling my nerves, or maybe it is the colder temperatures.  The road shows as winding through mountains, but indication of the altitude - I know from experience that snow lines can be deceiving and I don’t relish the thought of getting caught up in a high-country snowstorm.  I am heading south to Page, but there will be some colder climate roads to navigate before I get there.  And, there will be the WIND!!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                SDG

“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Joshua 1:9

JJ

I have to remember to ask about the name…. don’t see very
many lakes close by.  A very short
driving day, just a couple of hours from one to another.  Thus, I arrived early but was allowed to
check in and park anyway, thank goodness. 
Lots of memories on that drive however as I passed several vehicles
filled with hunters.  The terrain is very
like what is found in southern New Mexico where Bill and I hunted for so many
years.  In addition, today was originally
the day I was to be parked in Colorado near Glenwood Springs to begin scouting
for the hunt with Troy beginning next week. 
Because we were late applying, we didn’t get our usual spot near Pagosa
Springs.  However, the Grizzly Creek fire
that began August 10th  decimated our hunt area so we opted to get a
refund on our licenses and try again next year. 
Just another bump in the road that is 2020 for all of us.

I watch as the campground fills up around me.  There is the couple in the Terry, shouting
back and forth at one another as they try to get parked.  I seem to remember some similar “conversations”
that Bill and I used to have.  Across the
way are three sites together for what looks to be a three generational campout.  Older couple, four children ranging from 11
or 12 down to 5 or 6, and also a young couple with an infant.  I wonder if the adults will be treated to
special entertainment provided by the children as we were on a very special and
memorable trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton. 
I found a program from one performance among my treasures as I packed
for the move.

Jake seems to be adapting pretty well to life on the road.  We found that, while the ramps work well, it
is much quicker and almost as easy for me to simply lift him up and down.  I’m not sure if he got lighter or I got
stronger.  As long as he gets daily walks, he’s pretty happy.  He has an amazing
sense of time; he knows when it is time for me to get up and give him his
morning treat and he unfailingly lets me know when it is dinnertime – everyday between
4:00 and 5:00.

Listened to Skip Heitzig’s Bible From 30K Feet about the
book of Job this morning, always uplifting.   No matter how bad things might be, I have God, and He loves me and wants the best for me.  

“…the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, Blessed be the name of the
Lord.”  Job 1:21

                                                                                                                                                                                SDG

The next 2 days are somewhat of a transition, the reason I
booked here is that Moab couldn’t accommodate me for as long as I wanted.  So, I will spend the time on household chores
and working.  The drive from Moab was
pretty easy as it was only 3 hours and almost all I 70.  However, there was some pretty dramatic
scenery along the way.  Because I wasn’t
sure what parking would be available, I did not stop at any of the various “View”
opportunities, but wish that I could have. 
One day when I am camping in the back of the truck….  The interstate winds up and down through the
canyons and includes some grades, nothing so dramatic as the early part of this
trip, but enough to make you pay attention to vehicles around you.  Such as the many, many FedEx trucks I saw pulling
three trailers.  I watched one whip
around like a snake going down a 5% grade right in front of me and I totally
backed off as it looked like it would flip over at any moment.  The Richfield KOA is sort in the back of a
residential area and looks to be as popular as all the others.  I’m not sure if it is the time of year, or a
result of COVID-19 restrictions that has so many people on the road right
now.  When I planned this direction for
my life almost 16 months ago, I certainly didn’t expect that every campground
would be full and overflowing.  I wanted
to spend much more time focusing on photography in the State and National Parks
around Moab than I did.  Nor, did I
expect that State Parks in New Mexico would be closed to non-residents.  And, I learned a couple of days ago that the
upcoming stay in Page, AZ will not include a guided trip through Antelope
Canyon after all.  My disappointment pales
when I consider the impact of COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation.  I totally understand the reasons for
cancelling all tours through the end of 2020. 
Growing up in the Tri-Culture environment of New Mexico, I know that the
fall feast days are important in the Navajo, Hopi, and Pueblo cultures, which
may account for their recent spike in COVID cases.  I can change my plans easily enough, and I
will continue to pray for my friends in the Navajo Nation.

“O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the
earth!”  Psalms 8:9 NKJ                                       SDG