You think the trees are petrified. You should see our editor’s face when the lightning rips from the sky. That’s what happened here at Grand Staircase Escalante today. Jenni returned to the trails after resting for four days. We were nervous and considered it a premature action. Nevertheless, after the short but quite daring hike, she is feeling quite well. A special thanks to all those who offered their good wishes—received with much appreciation. Thank you.
(Please click on pictures to get a better perspective)
“You’re not going to catch us in a petrified forest and, certainly not at night. If the forest is scared, how should we feel? Why?” We asked our returning editor, “do you think the trees are so afraid? Could it be lightning or is it something deeper?”
‘It’s all about the rocks.’ “Rocks!” we exclaimed. “The trees are afraid of the rocks?”
‘Don’t be silly, don’t you know anything?’ Apparently not. She explained further: ‘The tree stumps remain underground without exposure to oxygen while minerals pass through them. Over time, they are compressed and form rocks. The pictures show these specimens in multi-colors. Quite a phenomenon.’
We left Bryce Canyon aka the amphitheatre, as we explained the other day in a most erudite manner. We quite like the fact that we are developing such knowledge of all things in the world as we continue on hike-about but always, always managing to retain our enviable humility. (We are about to throw-up). Anyway, we think that Utah could be our favorite state of the union, particularly the southern part. We hope to make further visits even if it is only to scale the Angel annually. We also like the idea of collecting an additional wife or two each visit. What a place. Our editor seems to lack an appreciation of this great state. Who can understand her?
We arrived in the metropolitan city of Escalante some 70 minutes from Bryce. The traffic was horrendous. We found ourselves backed up at a stop sign for what seemed like eternity. Well, it was more like fifteen seconds. It reminds us of last Shabbos in Hurricane. There was much daylight remaining after we completed some Torah study. We walked through the town, sat on a bench outside Walgreens and watched the automatic doors opening and closing as customers approached. The excitement really built when we heard a siren. Seconds later a fire truck came bursting out of a side street and careened past us. Our hearts raced and it took quite a while to settle. Next Shabbos, we hope to have a more tranquil time.
The Grand Staircase Escalante is a massive national monument (for you South Africans, a monument has a different definition in the USA—it is not like the Voortrekker one—okay, mense?). It is two million square acres of wilderness.
We know we use superlatives often but once again, we are not exaggerating. Of the parts we have driven through and hiked, we have seen nothing but rugged beauty crafted from mountains and boulders beyond the imagination in size, color and form. Utah for the writer is a wow. The area is quite 'raw' and it appears it will not become, in the short term, developed like the major national parks. Terrific!
In closing, we revisited Horseshoe Bend in Page, AZ. This is one of the few great destinations that does not involve a challenging hike—we much prefer working hard for our rewards but love this one anyway. Scrambling on the rocks is kids' delight.
1 comment:
Further wonderful experiences you guys are having. Your mountaineering seems to never end, but toooo fitness orientated for me. However, I am leaving on a 46ft catamaran from Durban to Mauritius on 24 September, which is about the bounds of my fitness, so am exercising in the meantime for hopefully only the day shifts. Should take some 3 weeks to get there, but will be online.
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