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camping

Spooky Guy in the Utah Mountains

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You never know what (or who) you’re going to find when exploring through the mountains. Take Utah for example.

Utah Fish Lake Pando Clone

We discovered the largest living organism in the world in Utah’s Fish Lake National Forest —it’s one hundred and six acres of aspen trees grown from a single seed. Trees in the “Pando Clone” are 80,000 years old and they’re connected to a root system weighing in at 13 million pounds. The U.S. Postal Service named it as one of “the Wonders of America.” It was a beautiful surprise.

Life is full of surprises! During a camping trip in the Utah back woods, we took the ATV (four wheel all terrain vehicle) through fields and forests. There were wildflowers, patches of snow and piney fresh air.

It was a fun and adventurous trip — the same trip where we met a big man with a miniature poodle strapped to his chest. He looked like a football defensive player, which made the poodle seem even more tiny. He was driving an ATV and the poodle was bumping up and down in the baby carrier as he drove through gullies, rutted roads and snow drifts. It was the funniest sight to see this big, friendly man and his wife way out in the back-country with poodles riding shotgun.

The Spooky Guy

Surprises never cease. Back at the campsite a bedraggled man appeared out of nowhere. He walked up to us way out there in the woods like he was our next door neighbor.

“Hey man, can I have a ride into town? I need to get a package from the Post Office.”

He rubbed his straggly beard, then looked over towards the truck.

“I can pay you.”

My friend was hesitant. “How did you find us?”

He pointed to the binoculars hanging around his neck. “I glassed the mountainside, and found you. It was a long hike to get over here.”

Looking the guy up and down, Dave said reluctantly, “Yeah, I can take you.” Then he headed for the camper to get his truck keys.

As soon as he was out of sight, the mountain man moved closer to me and pulled a stone from his pocket. He lifted the rock up towards my face and said, “See this? It’s so sharp I could cut your neck open.”

It didn’t take me long to make some excuse and hurry for the camper. “Hey he’s crazy. Don’t let him in the truck.”

“I’ll be alright. I’ll keep an eye on him.” Then he gestured to the handgun poking out from under his coat.

Thankfully they got back with no blood spilled, but the next morning he came ‘round again asking for another ride. He pressured us, so we had to get firm. “No pal, we’re here on vacation, please leave us alone.” Which he did. Finally.

Tastes Like Chicken

But the fun wasn’t over yet. Our last adventure happened as we drove the camper down the road and onto our next destination.

I asked, “Say, do you want me to make some lunch?”

“Sure. That sounds great.”

So we pulled the truck over at the next rest stop. As soon as I opened the door to the camper, I was hit in the face by the smell of roasting chicken.

“Hey Dave, there’s a fire in here!”

And smoke, lot’s of smoke. Good grief! We were hauling a Kentucky Fried Chicken around with us.

The source of the fumes? A pile of pillows near the wall — right up against an electrical outlet. Pillows chock full of fowlish feathers! Thankfully, there were no flames. Just a big hole burned into one of the pillows.

One adventure may lead to another. It keeps us on our toes. Keeps the spark in our lives, humor on the horizon and wonders in our world. Just like the Pando Aspen Clone, life offers a network of possibilities with roots that can lead us to unexpected characters in out-of-the-way places!

 Quotes:

“Planting depth matters…well sown is half grown.” Caleb Traugh on Twitter @Traugh_Ag

“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Resolutions: So many will fail; NOT because they didn’t set goals, but because they didn’t set behaviors.” -Steve Maraboli

“You are only young once. After that you have to think up some other excuse.” —Billy Arthur

Books I’m Reading:

Men to Match My Mountains, by Irving Stone, historical fiction on the opening of America’s Far West

The Confessions, by Saint Augustine, considered one of the greatest Christian classics

What’s Next:

Pikes Peak Writer’s Conference, April 28-30, Colorado Springs CO

Follow Laura on Twitter @Laura_Lollar

Like Laura’s Facebook page: https://facebook.com/LauraLollarColorado

Camping with Hubby at Flaming Gorge

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We visited Flaming Gorge. There’s nothing like a camping trip to strengthen the bonds between husband and wife.

Thankfully Doug did all the preliminary research, made reservations, and got us safely to the campground after we visited Dinosaur National Monument. He’s great with logistics. All I had to do was sit in the truck and let him do all the driving. He also packed the truck, unloaded the truck, set up the tent and the canopy too. Then he carried both kayaks 98.367 yards down to the water’s edge. (I did carry my makeup bag to the tent.)

In case you think I must be a real prima donna, I did the shopping, meal planning, packed the coolers and did all the cooking. I’ll have you know that in 19th century Italy, a prima donna refers to the “first lady” in an opera who performs leading roles. Generally she sang more music than other women in the company. In other words, she did the most of the work. 

So being a prima donna isn’t always a bad thing. I entertained my wonderful hubby by breaking into song the entire way there and back. Just sayin’, I do earn my keep!

Once we got to the campground, it was time to pick the best spot for the tent. You don’t want it too close to the fire and the opening should face the picnic table. There can’t be too many lumps on the ground and it’s got to be level. While our site was close to the potty, it couldn’t be downwind. 

Every year we have to re-learn which tent poles go where and in what order. There’s nothing funnier than watching two fairly intelligent people trying to teach each other how to understand simple directions. And it’s amazing how instructions can be easily misunderstood:

Hubby: “Grab that pole and push it towards me.”

Me: “Which pole?”

Hubby: “The long one. Push it over this way.”

Me: “What way?”

Hubby: “Push it through the sleeve on the top.”

Me: “It’s stuck.”

Hubby: “Here let me come over and do it. You hold the corner down.”

Me: “Which corner?”

After the tent was finally set up, we took a quick drive over to the Visitor’s Center. We camped within a few miles of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, a beautiful mini-Grand Canyon that borders Utah and northwest Colorado. When we got there, we approached a sign that said, “Danger Cliffs. Guard your children.” Nobody has to tell me twice. I’ve been afraid of heights my entire life. Just thinking of it as I write this article twists my stomach in knots.

We could have gone horseback riding while we there there, but the trail meandered along the rim. That was a deal breaker. Why would I want to climb up on something five feet higher to look down into the abyss? Even at the Visitor’s Center I wouldn’t go near the corner window, which was suspended over the gorge. I let Doug take the pictures.

The next day we took the kayaks out. Now, I’m fine with water. I grew up with lakes and pools and even competed in synchronized swimming events. I have no problem getting into the kayak; it’s the getting out that gives me the trouble. Thank goodness Doug was a submariner in the Navy. He knows all about how to lift heavy, awkward, talkative objects out of the water.

 

We had a great time once we got settled at camp. The weather was perfect and the bugs were few. Once it got dark, we started a campfire and sat with our heads tilted way back looking at the stars. There was no light pollution and we could even see the Milky Way and tons of shooting stars. It was a wonderful experience.

Doug leaned over to me and said, “Isn’t it great we get to sit here in the woods, smell the pines and look at the stars?” I replied, “You mean like we do when we’re home?” Ha! Somehow it’s different when you drive six hours, get woodsmoke in your clothes, sleep on the ground and put up with noisy neighbors! 

But after two days of tenting, I was ready for a shower. So, we packed everything up (again) and moved over to the cabin he’d reserved. T’was a welcome change. If you ever decide to go, we stayed at the Red Canyon Lodge near Flaming Gorge. There is a small lake there in case you want to take your kayaks or canoe.

We had planned to move from the cabin back to the tent on our last day, but I hated the thought of setting everything back up again. Instead, we left a day early and stopped along the way for a visit at my brother’s house. He has a shower.

Now, just so you know, I don’t mind tenting. We’re fairly mobile and have a better selection of camping spots. I like it better than trying to navigate one of those huge campers. But after you get home and think of all the work you put into the trip, you might question whether it was worth it. 

Yes, yes it was. The stars, campfire, kayaking, snuggling together in the tent and seeing Flaming Gorge definitely was worth it. And now that we’re home, we really appreciate our comfy bed and a full sized shower! 

We still have noisy neighbors, however. There’s nothing like a few screech owls to remind you of the great outdoors! 

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