More pics from Moab

 I have a few more pics I wanted to post for my own use from our trip down to Moab.

This was a waterfall we hiked to in Moab.

After Moab, Kerri and Maggie came up to Dutch John to visit us for a few days.

Here is a view from the raft on the first section just below the dam.

We got a US Forestry uniform for Maggie to help me.

Then we rafted down the Green River with Kerri and Maggie

After Kerri and Maggie left to go home, Bonnie's sister Connie and niece Lisa came for a visit along with Lisa's children.  We took a pontoon boat out on the reservoir one day.  This is the reservoir above the dam.

Then a raft trip down the Green River with Aaron, the river supervisor to whom we report for our volunteer positions.

OBSERVATIONS:

Our uniforms provided by the US Forestry includes a name tag.  People really like to call you by name and it is interesting that when they do call you by name, they often tell us their name.  If we remember their name, they consider us a friendly acquaintance; if we remember their children's names, they consider us a good friend; if we remember their dog's name, they consider us a friend for life. 

Moab

 We drove down to Moab, UT on July 6 to meet up with our younger daughter Kerri and her family.  We went to Arches National Park, and Canyonlands National Park.  Here are some pictures from Arches NP.  

The first two are Delicate Arch, the arch that is often pictured in a variety of publications.

The next two are Windows Arches

I wonder why they call this Balanced Rock

Here are some pics of where we stayed at Red Cliffs Lodge just outside of Moab.

Then on to Canyonlands NP with grandkids Jack and Maggie

That is the Colorado River on the right on the way back to our lodge.

After Moab, Kerri and Maggie followed us back up to Dutch John, UT to stay for a few days.  While there, we rafted on the first section below the dam which I think was prettier than the last section.

Bonnie, Kerri, and Maggie went horseback riding from the Red Canyon Lodge.

On the way to the Red Canyon Lodge, we saw some big horn sheep.

Now for those of you who have read my past blogs, you know that Bonnie and I have a tradition for our anniversary where Bonnie wears her original wedding dress from 48 years ago and I dress in whatever attire is appropriate for the occasion. So here we are and I am wearing the uniform the US Forest Service provides to me.

But something that made it even better was having my favorite granddaughter, Maggie, join us also dressed in a US Forest Service uniform.

Kerri bought Bonnie, Maggie, and herself matching tops so it was only appropriate to take their picture at the worlds largest fishing fly.

OBSERVATIONS:

I've had a few people ask me about wildlife we've seen.  So far, we have seen, antelope, mule deer, moose, big horn sheep, elk, and a picture of a black bear.

I've also had a couple of people ask me if we have had any food different than normal.  To that I have to say we went to the Red Canyon Lodge and had something that was absolutely wonderful; Elk sliders with caramelized onions.  We will definitely go back again for these.

Floating the Green River

The supervisor to whom we report offered to take us down the Green River from where we are set up at Little Hole Recreation Area to Indian Crossing about 9 miles away.  The river is unbelievably clear and when we floated down it was cloudy, cool (around 80), and breezy.  But it was beautiful and quiet.  

There was one rapid that was pretty fast and reckless called Red River Rapids. Here is a picture of it from a cliff above it.

Then the next day we decided to explore some more and decided to drive to the airport once again.  The airport and the road to it are not exactly to what you may be accustomed.

Just below is a picture looking across the land on the way back to the airport.

OBSERVATION:

When we arrived here, I mentioned to the supervisor that I was surprised at how clean and free of litter the place was.  He told me that's because the rafting season had not started and that the fishermen and women think of this as their own back yard and keep it quite clean.  They are very conscientious about keeping things picked up, after all, some of these people pay $800 for just the fly rod.  He was right, and while the rafters do a fairly good job of picking up after themselves, you do notice an increase in litter.