the Burr Trail Part 3- A Photo Diary

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There really isn't much to say about these, they're just the last of a series of photos I took on our day on the Burr Trail.

I know I'm posting way too many pictures, but I use this blog as my personal photo album, so bear with me!

I won't comment on each one,
but they're all clickable for larger images
(and they look much better
at a larger size).

Enjoy!

the Burr Trail Part 2-Variations and Photograsphs

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A quick update . . .

We had planned on staying a few days in Great Basin National Park, but when we arrived, Wheeler Peak was covered with snow. We spoke with several Rangers and they told us more snow (at lower elevations) was a real possibility, so we decided to press on.

And here we are in Ely Nevada, an unexpected surprise, but I'll save Ely for another entry.

So here we are back on the Burr Trail, in Capitol Reef.

The colors and the textures of this place really fire my imagination. While we're roaming the outdoors, I'm completely involved in the beauty of the area. Then, when I get home and look at the photos, I just can't seem to resist playing around with them.

As always, I am drawn to
trees and skies.

But maybe the skies
are a bit too blue??

Or the leaves a bit too green?

I'm including this one
because lately
I seem to be fascinated
with back lighting.

This formation reminds me of
the back of a dinosaur.

I also find myself
photographing
a lot of open road.

In this shot,
the different layers of the
mountains caught my eye.

A similar shot,
but can you see the gargoyle?
Reminds me of Notre Dame.

We also saw a lot of square rocks
they seem to tumble down,
then just stop . . .

The skies of Capitol Reef.

Just because I like it.

Another shot
of the cliff walls.

Transformed into black and white.

Changed again into sepia.

That's it till tomorrow, when I'll finish up the Burr Trail and move on to Ely, Nevada.

I think I'll call the Ely posts Urban Explorations . . .

the Burr Trail, Part 1

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Ah, the Burr Trail . . .

A wondrous drive, one that should not be missed.

We started going out of Torrey, up Highway 12. Once again, this led us through the aspens.

I know I'm not supposed
to shoot in to the sun,
but I love the effect.

These aspens are so glorious,
straight and tall,
crowned with glowing leaves.

When you reach the town of Boulder,
you take a left
and head towards Long Canyon

This was my favorite part of the drive.

The cliffs contain such color,

the vistas are stunning,

it's truly glorious.

After Long Canyon,
you drop in to the valley floor.

This is my favorite shot of the day.
I'm not sure why.

This is high desert,
but I tell you, it is in no way bleak.

I'm still amazed
at the abundance of flowers.

The yellow ones are everywhere.
(Feel free to click to enlarge).

When you combine
the lush foliage
with the patterns in the rocks,
it makes for an astounding effect.

Just take a look at the road,
wandering off into the horizon . . .

Due to the recent rains,

most of the stream beds
(still moist)
had pattens that I thought
were really beautiful.

I'll end part one
of the Burr Trail with this tree.
I can't seem to pass up these trees.
Their silhouettes
always catch my eye.

I'm posting this
from the back of a Flying J
in the booming metropolis
of Scipio, Utah.

We'll spend the night here,
then tomorrow,
Great Basin National Park!

A continuation of our travels around Capitol Reef

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We were having a bit of a time finding drives due to an unseasonably large storm a few days before. Since many of the roads and scenic drives in the Park are unpaved dirt, big rains close many of them down.

We had hoped to do a drive called the Waterpocket Fold/Burr Trail, only to find the road impassable. We made a valiant attempt, but a three foot drop off was more than we were willing to try, even with our four wheel drive, so we turned around.

Earlier we had passed a road marker for the town of Notom, which seemed to have disappeared up into its own existence some time ago. There was no sign of the town, but we noticed a sign for the Notom Ranch Bed and Breakfast. So once again, we were off on an adventure.

We found the B&B
sitting up on a hill
commanding a lovely view.
They have a small herd of buffalo,
and a very inquisitive cat.

He was into everything!

We met up with the owner, who was quite friendly and affable, and told us that if we wanted, we could just bring the motorhome on up and stay on their property. That's an invitation we may take him up on at a future date.

As we were leaving, we noticed a sign for "apples" and took off on another dirt road. At the top of the hill, we found an orchard with a self pay box and the most incredibly sweet yellow apples, half a bushel for only $5.00! In case you don't know, half a bushel amounted to one of those giant laundry soap buckets you see at Costco. What a great deal! And these were stupendous apples, so good we went back a week later and got more.

I'll close this short post
with a photo of the campground
at Capitol Reef.

And one picture
of the man in my life.

My next few entries
will be of the astounding Burr Trail.

Tomorrow, we will be leaving this area,
heading to Great Basin National Park.