Field
Notes - Dispatch 15 – Moab, Utah – slick-rock bike area – Sand
Creek
Monday,
October 6, 2014
Hello
Fellow Adventurers!
Old
Trout is certainly out of his element at the moment. My
well-developed sense for trout water is telling me I am out of luck.
Unfortunately, the steel coiled muscles in my casting arm are
atrophying and “Fish Slayer”, my faithful fly rod, remains asleep
in its case.
Nevertheless,
there are compensations for this dearth of tail water. I find myself
surrounded by the most interesting topography in America. These
sandstone arches, bridges, windows and cliffs leave a person lost for
words and, in my case, simply lost. The search and rescue crew has
been called out twice on my account and both times I was just
attempting to make a trip to the outhouse and back. MR is now
keeping me on one of those spring leashes for little kids. Thank
heavens the harness is too small for my manly girth. MR says I am
just to fat.
We
are having perfect weather with no wind, temps in the mid 70's and
lots of sunshine. We have been hiking in to some remote canyons to
seek out little-known arches and Indian rock art. The best part of
this effort is that I usually get snacks and iced drinks on the
trail. Although, one must never forget, that it can be dangerous
given the ledges and boulders we have have to navigate. Fortunately,
I am quite safe with my spring tether attached. I occasionally jump
off a rock just to spring right back up like a superhero! MR keeps
suggesting I try a big cliff and always keeps her pocket knife handy
in case I try it. Not sure why; maybe she is worried about a coyote
attack.
Speaking
of animals, yesterday we had a three foot long snake slither around
our campsite for about thirty minutes. I must say that nothing
focuses ones attention quite like a large snake under your picnic
table. The long narrow fellow was in camp for so long we named him
Felix and I invited the kids from a nearby camp to come over and see
him. He was a slow mover and seemed friendly. We all thought he was
a good chap and laughed when he made those SSSSS noises with his
tail. Camp life is so interesting.
Well,
today we have had our breakfast and we are watching the light change
over the slick rock country. The La Sal mountains, a short distance
away, have new snow on them and all is peacefully quiet now that the
damn backhoe has left. It was working on the road down below us and I
thought I was going to have to bean the operator with a rock to get
him to go away. MR went down a had a word with that guy and he
finished right up and took off. That will teach him. I certainly
know how he feels.
Well,
enough of this wordsmithing. I need to get the topo maps out and plan
today's excursion into the back country. I will leave a copy of our
itinerary with the Park Service and Search and Rescue. It saves them
a lot of time and they seem to enjoy the challenge.
Over
and out for now.
PS.
I will telegraph this message from the Moab library later today. I
hope you are all having wonderful adventures and that this dispatch
finds you well.
