50.36 Utah, Arizona and Nevada: A Sprinkling of Color in our World...and that's only a tiny region or two.

The mix of pictures within this blog cover trails of color, omitting at least twenty hikes of the fifty-four undertaken on the trip. All pictures are from the greater Salt Lake City region unless otherwise stated. There are still many yet to be published, for the record. (This is a 'big picture blog'.) 

Is that blue into gold or vice-versa on Lake Powell?
Heading to Bell Falls.
Mount Aire.
Lake Powell's many facets.
Grandeur East approach. 

Magnificent Antelope Canyon. This is a different part of the canyon from the world famous attraction. The entry to the canyon is without a mandatory tour guide and only via water. The two elements make it special and in our opinion, a far superior experience.

We were passing a concentration of hotels in Page, a short distance below where we are staying and noticed the Dennys Restaurant. It’s a landmark for us for just beyond it, we make a turn to our hotel. It reminded me of a rather interesting friend of ours, Clive Midgen, who has a number of claims to fame, one being the charming Mrs. Midgen, Gill. 

We met the Midgen’s in the early days following our arrival in Dallas, Texas. Clive was most supportive during my days when I was trying to settle down in this new land while struggling with a business issue. We spent much time together which included playing tennis, family socializing and trying, but failing, to understand the USA. Still trying. 

We then ‘re-emigrated', this time to San Diego and the Midgen’s headed to Tacoma. Typical Clive wisdom went something like this. In fact, we were walking in La Jolla one evening with our families when he came out with these pearls. 

He began on the topic of garage sales. For those not familiar with the local custom, Americans have garage sales when they wish to sell household goods (junk), basically clearing out the house of superfluous items. They place advertising posters in the neighborhood and wait for others to arrive to shop. Clive’s question was thus: ‘Should a person own a garage (repairs etc.) and wish to sell it, how would you advertise the garage sale?’ We never arrived at a conclusion. 

His next puzzle went like this. He mentioned, which is common knowledge, that the Dennys restaurant chain remains open 24-hours per day. This is true. “Then why”, he wanted to know, "do the restaurants have locks on the entrance doors?” It's another valid question. 

It may also give people an insight into why my mind is a little messed up, too.” 

 It won’t be long now, Clive, I’ll get back to you. We have a number of friends who are very wise and so expect some real smart-a… type of replies. Most of our friends are cleverer than me and the few that aren't, think they are. 

Page, Arizona, the long and winding road back from the lake via our own path.
Broads Fork.
Taking the gap, actually, the ledge.
Cardiff Hike in snow.
Jen won't weep in a place such as Wahweap, Page.
Clayton (second approach) via Brighton.

Crestwood Gulch. Loved the contrast of the colors with the greys of the dormant flora.
Dog's Lake.
Sugarloaf (2).
Castle Rock.
This begs the question. If a person has to drive a golf car on those squiggly roads, how is it possible to stand over a putt and strike it so that it travels in a straight-line. It seems obvious to me. Perhaps we should ask the question of Clive.
Patsy Marley.
One of three of Peruvian Gulch/Gad/Cirque hikes to Hidden Peak.
Jack's Peak (1 of 3 hikes following a change of emphasis because of snow at altitude). 

The boat person arrives at the end of the road...um..inlet; beaches the kayak.

Mount Toscarora. 

  Toadstools, a fascinating place to explore and observe.
Finding a way up-and-down toward Lake Powell.
Moving up, over and down the rocks bordering the water.
Noah's Ark outside Parowan.
After climbing through the canyon, we reach the Colorado River 'tucked away'.

Red Mountain, Boulder City viewing Las Vegas.
Red Pines Lake.
Spenser Trail, Lees Ferry.
Valentine Hike, Parowan, heading to the peak across the way.
"If you go down in the canyon today, you're sure of a big surprise."

Meantime, back at Lake Powell, hats off to the photographer who makes the leaper (leper?) look better than he is.
Wire Mountain (1 of 3)

Mount van Cott.
It's a good question. What was it? "What do I do now, I'm stuck?"
We’ve had quite an adventure, probably mixed with more confusion than usual. The trip covered fifty-four hikes which means there are at least eighteen not published. That’s not confusing. The problem was that we were heading for Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and perhaps, Washington. However, we stopped in Boulder City, Nevada for four days to celebrate Gill Midgen’s birthday. It doesn’t get any hotter than the latter part of August in Las Vegas. 

I said to Jen, “Will we survive in above 100 temperatures especially that we’ll undertake a few hikes?” 

She mentioned that Gill used to celebrate her birthday during winter. 

“Why did she change it?” I asked. “Our best visits are to the Nevada region during winter. What’s wrong with the woman?” 

Jenni often gives me a funny look which puzzles me. “Well, silly boy, she was living in Zimbabwe at the time.” 

“Emigration is difficult enough,” I replied, “Why would a person change her birthday as well? She should have kept it in winter. We could have stayed in Boulder City for a longer period. Gill disappoints me.” 

Then things became really complicated as Jenni developed a ‘bee in her bonnet’. We traveled to Parowan and stayed three nights although I would have preferred a longer visit. Thereafter, we headed for Salt Lake City. I wanted to stay seven nights, Jen opted for eleven and we booked in for nine nights, the proverbial compromise. Because Jenni was enjoying herself so much, we had to extend for a further five nights. The result: We intended traveling to the northern states but instead, extended our stay from nine nights to sixty-one. That’s not a misprint. I won’t forget the last three extensions. There seemed no way that it would happen and yet, where there’s a will, there’s a way. Hard to believe. Who was I to complain? Stoic in defeat. The girl liked the place so I kept the upper-lip stiff and tried to enjoy the very ordinary wilderness on offer. 

Of course, this meant we could not go further north as we have a planned visit to Mom. We turned the car around after sixty-four days in Utah and headed to Page for ten days. When it was nearing time to depart, one of us squeezed a day from the other. Then on the day before departure, while discovering various horseshoe bends on a wandering in the desert, including a failed attempt at extension by considering a long car journey, in a brilliant last-minute strategy while holding Jenni under water for a while, we agreed on a further two-day stay. Now we have run out of days so we’re on the way back. 

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

On a long trip, one tends to develop tunnel vision. (Returning from the scramble to-and-from the Colorado River.)