Riding for Joy.

I looked up the definition of "joyriding"; it's a crime.  Joyriding is stealing a vehicle to drive with no specific destination in mine; the act of theft and driving is the intention.  Such a shame that this term has nothing, but a negative meaning; so instead of joyriding, I have to say that I went riding for joy.  That's exactly the feeling one gets when riding through the canyons and mountains...pure joy.

After finding the Alkali Ridge National Historical Landmark (don't worry, I'm going to write that up), I decided to simply keep riding down Alkali Point Road towards Perkins Road, swing east towards Montezuma Canyon Road and back home again.  Jenna, one of my dogs, was with me, and she was looking forward to our hiking stops.  Personally, I think she enjoys looking for lizards and rabbits as much as I enjoy looking for ruins and rock art.


4.1 miles down the Alkali (from the junction of Alkali Point and Mustang Roads), I stopped once again to look out at Devil Mesa and the rock pinnacle that gives the mesa its name.  Haven't quite figured out how to get closer to that area yet, but looking for the road or trail is half the fun.

Driving along Perkins Road, all I can think as I see the beautiful canyons is, "Where are the roads to get out there!?!"  Patience Grasshopper, those adventures are yet to come.

Montezuma Canyon Road comes along and I stop at Bradford Canyon Ruins to check once more for rock art.  All those ruins along the ledges, yet not a single drawing against the flatter sections of rock wall.  We were greeted by a Chuckwalla Lizard sitting against the rock; he let me take a few photos before squeezing in between the broken rocks.



Jenna is very adept at walking among the broken boulders to seek out lizards and rabbits.  She likes to look, but she never touches.  She is such a good girl.

Just 2/10ths up the road, northward, I found an area that the rain and snow had created into, what I can only describe as, a sand castle wonderland.  This is also the time of the spring season when the cacti are coming into bright bloom as exhibited by Claret Cups and Barrel cacti.  Definitely look, but do not touch these spiky little beauties.

Barrel Cactus

Claret Cup Cacti

I found this abandoned cabin along Montezuma Canyon Road; it is so quaint and yet so sad.  Sad, because inside there is nothing but piles of garbage; fast food bags, soda cans, beer bottles, etc.  Whomever owns this property would make a fortune by fixing it up and renting it out for the primitive camper; the canyon landscape is breathtaking!

Almost home, but I stopped to take another photo of the tree limb climbing up the rock face in a snake like manner.  I wonder if it is a natural occurrence, or was someone going up there and helping it form that way; the boxy turns seemed fashioned somehow.  If traveling from the beginning of Montezuma Canyon Road (CR 146) and Route 191, this site is 6 miles going south and looking westward.


A much deserved steak dinner awaited me at home; poor Jenna was so tuckered out, she slept till the next morning.  Lovely photos and great memories of a most awesome joy ride; and if it's a crime to have so much enjoyment, I plead guilty!

Mary Cokenour

The Alive State of Utah.

A strange conversation I had during the past summer prompted me to gather up photos of animal and plant life that I have encountered living in Utah.  The conversation went as follows:

Female Visitor: "What are those yellow flowers along Route 491 from Cortez to Monticello?"
Me: "Sunflowers, Yellow Daisy? We have a large variety of plant life around here."
Female Visitor: "No, no, no, I know what those are and the yellow flowers I saw aren't either of them."
Me: "Did you take a photo I could look at?  If I don't know it offhand, I could look in one of the nature books we have for sale."
Female Visitor: "What is the matter with people around here; why are you so ignorant that you don't even know what flowers grow on the roadside???"
Me: "Ummm...what?"

Now I have to tell you that as insulted as I was by what she stated, I still smiled and wished her a good day and a safe journey.  Inside though, I plotted her demise in many ways.  Now I own "National Audubon's Field Guide to the Southwestern States" and "Canyon Country Wildflowers" which are packed with hundreds and hundreds of photos linked to species of flowers, bushes, wildlife, birds, insects, etc.  I have the books to help me out with "what is that....?" questions; common sense, and assuming that anyone knows every item in these books makes one, well, an ass.

So I am going to share with you some photos of many of the creatures and plant life that I have seen; there are so many more I have heard about, or missed photographing as it ran off into the forest or underbrush.  Doesn't mean I won't keep trying to capture their images.

Plant Life

Claret Cup Cactus

Columbine, The State Flower of Colorado

Datura aka Moonflower

Moonflower Canyon is named after the Dakura; this plant is very poisonous and should NOT be ingested.


Desert Globemallow

Desert Paintbrush

Desert Paintbrush is a more compact form of Indian Paintbrush; growing in desert sand, this plant grows in a bush formation with shorter stems.


Indian Paintbrush

Foxtails aka Prince's Plume

Lupine

Prickly Pear Cactus

San Rafael Cactus

The San Rafael Cactus can be found, where else...the San Rafael Swell.


Utah Yellow Daisy

Yucca

The Yucca plant was a very important staple for the Native American; the roots and flowers are edible; the seed pods can be boiled down to make a sweet paste, or hardened into a candy; the fibers from the stems were used to make footwear and rope.











Wildlife, Birds and Insects




Antelope aka Pronghorn Deer

When I first saw Pronghorn Deer, they reminded me very much of photos of African antelope. So far I have seen them in Thompson Springs, on the road going to the Needles and Anticline Overlooks, and the San Rafael Swell.















Mule Deer

Mule Deer are the prominent species of deer in the area; although they reside mostly in the forests of the Abajo and La Sal Mountains, they do not hesitate to come into town looking for food.

Mule Deer

Prairie Dog



Raven in Flight

While Ravens are a dime a dozen in this area, I was lucky to capture a photo of a Wren sitting on a sandstone formation at Arches National Park.




Wren Sunning on the Red Rocks



 

Sphinx Moth

This Sphinx Moth I found sitting on the front steps on a cool morning; after bringing it inside and letting it warm up, it began to move its wings and fly to the nearest houseplant.  I brought it outside, placed it on a plant sitting in the sunlight; eventually it flew away.  I bet it was a little happy camper after being cared about.












Skeletal Remains

Death is a common occurrence out in the wild and the environments in this area should NOT be taken for granted. If you must bring your pets, make sure they are leashed, kept in pet carriers, or housed somewhere that they are well cared for.










Desert Landscapes

 

In essence, when you take a vacation and go someplace you have never been before; please do not assume that any locals you speak with know everything about everything, have gone everywhere, have done everything.  Living out here in the Four Corners area, anyone is lucky to do about 25 percent in a lifetime; yes, there is just that much to see, do and experience!

Mary Cokenour



Kane Springs, a Historic Rest Stop.

About 15.5 miles, south of Moab and along Route 191, is the Kane Springs Rest Area; just next door to it is Hole N' the Rock, the home built within a sandstone hill.  While frequented by motorists, and especially truckers, you might think it is not of much importance except for the restrooms.  Time for the big picture about this simple rest area, it's not simply a place to rest or use the toilets; it has historic and adventuring values.

Kane Springs was a major water stop on the Old Spanish Trail; pioneers would fill up on water, while cowboys moving cattle could provide water to the animals and themselves.  While hiking around the area, I found a set of brackets set into the sandstone; could this have been part of a water system from long ago?








The rest area has a building for the restrooms, large paved parking lot, and covered picnic tables scattered about the well manicured lawn.  It is what surrounds the entire area that is breath taking; sandstone walls and formations, trails throughout a desert environment and an old dried out river bed.  Camping is allowed, but make sure to pick up all debris and refrain from marking up the sandstone walls.  Seriously, no one truly cares that you were there, but now are gone; take a photo, it lasts longer.



This formation will change appearance as you walk around it, and has a surprise.

Be careful walking the sandy trails, besides the abundant cacti, there are many bushes that have needles waiting to grab onto unsuspecting hikers.  Brushing against the sagebrush though releases an intoxicating and soothing aroma. I don't know who was more startled, me or the jackrabbit hiding under one of those bushes; but I did keep a lookout for rattlesnakes just in case.

Walking the trails can be a bit intoxicating also; the anticipation of what could be around the next corner is quite a thrill.  For instance, an old dried up river bed; did pioneers, cowboys, their horses and cattle quench their thirsts here back in the 1800s?  When it does rain or snow in this desert area, do the waters flow once again?

River Bed.

Keep on walking and eventually you'll find yourself at the back end of Hole N' the Rock; yes, that is how close you are to it, practically around the corner.  I know Kane Springs is mostly used for a rest area, but taking the time to walk the desert trails, even all the way to the tourist attraction next door is so worth it.  This area is beautiful, you just have to open up your eyes and let your feet do the walking.

Hole N' the Rock is past that bush in the background, and between the rock walls.
 

Now remember that formation I posted a photo of earlier and said it changed appearance as you went around it; at one point an arch will become visible.  See what I mean about opening up your eyes!

Walk that sandstone wonderland, enjoy the adventure first; then take advantage of the restrooms and picnic grounds at Kane Springs.  Or go potty before you start hiking, you'll probably feel more comfortable.

Mary Cokenour