5.010 Calf Creek Falls, Escalante

Overpowering slabs of pink with greenery offset

Calf Creek Falls with golden tint

Who thinks of these names? Calf Creek. The day began early for us because the motel accepts bikers. Last year we wrote extensively about this sect—only with respect of course...well, sort of. We think we understand their problem. They usually talk to each other above the throaty roars of their large ‘machines’. However, they forget that when the bikes are resting, it is possible to lower their voices and still be heard. We won’t offer an opinion about being understood. At 5:30am this morning, our biker alarm woke us to provide an update on the porch about an interesting evening spent in Escalante. Bear in mind that the town closes at about 8pm unless, as our innkeeper mentioned, the Europeans arrive late.

She's back--a little weary but full of courage

Too silly to understand you can't swim upstream, Salmon; or watching stock market assets take a 'bath'

The stock market has not been a happy place these last two weeks. Every time we travel, the world seems to go into financial turmoil. We have decided that we are not stopping our adventures unless a sizeable reward is offered—on seconds thoughts, we just decided against that idea. If any of our children are reading this, which might be doubtful, please send some money for gas and maybe a new hat for Dad.

Returning editor approaching falls

Anyway, after watching a sizeable part of our assets swim south, we headed on another wonderful hike. The trail took us into a canyon surrounded by massive slabs of rock, mountains and boulders. The little over six miles hike on soft sand was another that had too much in it to appreciate in the three hours. We walked with our eyes wide open as we gazed at the splendor. We usually keep them open so that we don’t trip or stand on snakes, too.

Curtain coming down

Cliff slabs and water--pure joy

The climax awaited us at the end. An exciting waterfall spouted from these colossal, towering, rocky cliffs. We forgot our ‘cozzy’ (bathing suit), so we waded into the pond in pants and swam to the end where the water barreled down from the top. It was an exhilarating experience partly because the water was freezing and, because the force of the falls kept pushing us away. It was a very enjoyable day as we watched the water plunge to the bottom; only exceeded by the plunge of the financial markets. At least we have Benny, Timmy and Barry to save us. What’s the difference between a supreme optimist and a fool? (in this context, of course.)

Towering Cliffs of the Grand Staircase

Cliffs in the sky

We'll see you after Tisha B'Av.

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey