47.23 Utah: Goosenecks State Park and beyond: Wandering in the back country amongst the staggering cliffs, canyons and the San Juan River.

Memorable sights of the San Juan River making its swings.

Colors, formations and textures.

 

"Michael rowed the boat ashore"...'Okay, okay!' In the middle of nowhere, we look down to spot a river and then a while later, kayaks.

The San Juan River makes 4 turns within view, only 3 picked up by the camera.

This region made a deep and lasting impression upon us. We also realize that with the rate of absorption of so many remarkable places, sights and sites, experiences and wonders, our brains should be running out of capacity. Perhaps the brain, unlike a computer, has unlimited capacity. We can only hope. (see below for narrative...)

This view resonated, particularly. The sad thing is so few see it.

Returning from the lower cliffs above the river.

Found it hard to believe that such scenes exist...still do.

Relaxing at the closest edge we could reach above the river.

We were on the other side of the the canyon on the way back to our car which can be seen in the photograph below. The view is of Goosenecks State Park, basically a car park with access to views beyond belief. On the left side of the photograph sits an expensive RV. The driver/user was a hippie looking fellow which may or may not mean anything. (Some of my best friends are 'hippies'.) He was camping at the park with a woman. Along the side of the San Juan River, within the park, a bold sign states 'No Camping'. A person may camp across the way from the car park, merely fifty yards distant or less. 

By the way, we engaged in some fascinating conversations with a few campers during our two visits to this area, just outside Mexican Hat--the name of a town rather than the description of national dress. In fact, we gave a ride to a hiker, Tim, who paddled in his inflatable dingy from Bluff (a town) to the park and hiked up the cliffs. Our intention was to hike down the same cliff to the water and back again. Unfortunately, after getting within a couple of miles of the trailhead, we decided not to drive further along the extremely poor trail-it was a harrowing experience. We have to replace our car with a more appropriate vehicle for tough roads. 

Two days later, we tried to walk from the park to the trailhead, believing it a shortcut as we followed the flow of the river. Although it did not work out, the cross country hike and scenery proved most satisfying. We followed this through by scrambling down goat paths at the park to try to get closer to the river. We'll have to return because the scramble down to the river is enticing. (It reminds us of the Spenser hike at Lees Ferry).  

Back to the hippie. We returned to park, walked past the camper and found a table and bench close to the cliff and ate a late brunch. I decided to take more photographs of the river which changes direction 4 times as it winds and wends around the mountains. It truly is amazing and beautiful. On my return to the table, the fellow stepped from his RV and told me in a rather curt manner to cease walking in front of his campsite. I was stunned by his comment both because we were on public property; that I was standing well away from his prized vehicle, and that he had made a special trip from inside to let me know he did not like people crossing his private view. Sometimes, it's best not to rise to provocation and accept that some people are beyond help. 

   

    

Climbing in the wilderness, a few miles from the park.

Love it. A glimpse of three sections of the turns.

Winging it.

 

On a further positive note, we spent some time conversing with the owner of the motel in Mexican Hat. (Population 17...on a good day). The day of departure, we met his Dad, a man in his eighties, smartly dressed in a cowboy suit with hat, of course. It was another wonderful experience enjoying the wisdom, humor and solid sense of two entertaining men. Fascinating. The father related an experience he had with a German tourist who was a nuclear physicist. Although we only heard one side of the conversation, the 'cowboy' seemed the smarter person. The discussions over the period, exchange of ideas and nuances in the various cultures of the country provide another form of excitement and knowledge. 

Our motel was across from the center of town where all the action occurred. The place had a 'vibe'. It was a gas station and convenience store (7-11) with an attached post office. Thank you to the Muellers.

The narrow ledge and overhang is now nothing after the earlier parts.

  

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

Always to Mom.