Oh, shiney!

Writers block. That period of time where you really want to write about something but there is so much to write about you bounce from topic to topic like a kid in a candy store. Random thoughts, here they come: (Oh, and as always, you can click on a picture to see the larger version.)

Volunteers at visitor centers do not necessarily come from the area they are currently in and as a result may not know where Billy Joe caught that lunker 5 years ago. I figure I'm lucky to know where my car is parked and fortunately Chris has the keys.

This volunteer was mightily chastised (almost in the biblical sense) for not knowing how many RV sites were open and what the nightly rates are for all of the parks and campgrounds in the area. I was 'saved' by calling the closest park and making a reservation for the disgruntled lady.

Met a couple from Australia who started in Peru and are wending their way north in their all-terrain motorhome to see the polar bears. Before this year's trip they had traveled in the same rig from Vietnam to Europe. Wow!

Having spent a weekend of being bothered by the labor day campers and tourists, the sheep and deer are moving back into the area.

They mooned us while in one of the hay fields. Just the other day one doe was nuzzling around our grill, probably looking for some salt and by the time I had the camera she had wandered off. I must remember to have the camera ready at all times as there is always something to take a picture of.

Fall is here. The aspens are beginning to turn, mornings are a bit brisk and the concessionaire run campgrounds are now closed.

Fall is also associated the salmon run and the local land locked Kokonee are heading up stream. I for one did not observe a single fish actually running.

Not petroglyphs, just random staining.

Not petroglyphs, just random staining.

After a day trip to Echo Park Canyon and seeing the interesting patterns in the rocks, it takes no stretch of the imagination to understand how the ancient Native Americans were inspired when creating their petroglyphs.

Petroglyphs. Click on this one to see it better.

In this case instead of line drawn pictures, we see a more connect the dots style. Amazing considering these are located about 35 feet above the surrounding area and the cliff is a sheer face.

Interesting history behind Echo Park as it was the first proposed site for the dam that eventually created Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Conservationists were concerned more dinosaur bones and petroglyphs would have been flooded so their protests encouraged the government to reconsider the location of the dam. Good choice as “our” gorge is spectacular!

Factoid: The dam has to mix the waters to arrive at a temperature between 45 and 50 degrees at the spillway or else the trout will not survive and flourish. They must be doing it right, Green River is famous for the fly fishing.

I'm still having problems coming to grips with the geology of the area. Rock formations that look like semi melted ice cream randomly plopped down (that was a Chris quote, I was thinking cow patties or horse road apples). These are next to strata that has been folded over on itself like bread dough and near other places where it looks like a broken butter finger (ummmm, butter finger, Vernal here we come!). 

And as always, the broad expanses of territory.

We tried but just could not get a closer picture of this hawk and have no idea of what type it is. The bird was gliding over the cliff and we're at about 1500 feet above the water at around 7500 feet elevation. So peaceful. Perhaps there is a birder who recognizes it? Please leave a comment if you do.

Next entry I'll try to keep more to a theme or at the very least one subject but no promises.

Look! Squirrel!