We interrupt this adventure.

Making a run for Alberta to apply for teaching work in the fall.   So sad to leave Utah!!!!   So not done yet.  Don't expect to see us- it'll be a hit and run.

Reptiles and insects.

Monty Python says:  And now for something completely different.  Greg has of course changed it to: And now for something completely else....going to the desert, going south, going to high and dry elevations fed Anna's fascination for insects and reptiles.  Here are a few of her photos.



dead snake hanging from a tree

 

Flowers

So many blooms.

Posey Lake

Another 25 mile gravel road trek, but this time to a mountain lake at 9000 ft for fishing.  It's a small little lake that doesn't allow motors so they used the oars to tootle around and Greg taught them to fly fish.   There were some hikes too.  Also a good spot to hide out for the US Memorial Day long weekend which we only found out about that week.  Yikes. 

Beautiful little brookies- that we didn't eat. 

Meet Fizz!

Next was The Grand Staircase and the town of Escalante.   Petrified Forest State Park and a reservoir for fishing- both together.   We had purchased a 11ft inflatable boat and a 10hp Mercury Outboard when we were near Vegas, but because of some weird rules in Nevada and Arizona we hadn't had a chance to use it yet- which of course was killing Greg and the kids!  But we could use it in Utah.  They got it inflated and bought fishing licences.  Super excited- her name is Fizz!

 

First morning out on Wide Hollow Reservoir a 4lb Rainbow.

 I think Greg was the official catcher- but it belongs to everyone.

We ate it for lunch.

 

 

Rock Shops and Red Canyon.

Driving north on the back route from Kanab, UT toward Bryce Canyon there is a little section of road that has about five rock shops.  Of course we stopped, but we only visited three.   Piles of rocks by the pound, fossils, polished, cut.....We bought some big hunks of obsidian for Leland and Greg to make arrow heads.  Anna and I were limited in the interests of gas mileage.
We ended up in Red Canyon.   Lots of rock hounding, hiking and reading too.

We had heard about Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, but with the dogs we are very limited as to where we can go in national parks and the weather was getting too hot to be able to leave them in the truck- so we have been going to state parks and National Forests which are really cool too- just not famous. 

Kindness.

As we were headed to the Grand Canyon we heard a new sound from the truck.   Upon investigation the exhaust pipe had started to break away from the catalytic converter.  Greg used some time, skin off of his knuckles, some clamps, wire and a tomato can  cut open to repair it enough for us to carry on.  When we got into Utah we visited a number of garages and repair shops until we found one who said they could weld it the next day.   We get up, we're there on time, we unhook the trailer, we're ready for the big wait and the big bill.   The guy pulls in the truck, welds it, says "That'll last you for awhile- ten buck."  Greg gave him twenty.  Ten extra for a case of beer- because you can do that with ten bucks here.  :)  Wow.  There are kind, generous people everywhere you least expect it.