9/26 Drive to Capitol Reef National Park

 This was an interesting drive because of the varied colors and shapes on the way. It started out fairly flat and dull.  

Then it got more interesting! 

Whatever this rock was, it must have been very soft because it seems to be falling downhill constantly.

Nice to not have much traffic.

Actually, I had been driving through parts of Capitol Reef, but this sign was near the part where the valley had once been settled.

You can tell there are small streams in this area because of the greenery.  And note the color change from dull beige and brown to reddish.  This rock also seems a lot more stable.

This sign was at one of the older cabins.  Mostly, they farmed and had extensive orchards, as well as large families.

Do not worry.  This family moved closer to town by the time they had a lot of kids.  I am assuming they had a larger home there.

Home is still looking good, even if the taillights and running lights do not work.

Now these hills look really weird--something like a child will make with sand on the beach.  But notice the green trees that tell us there is a river here.

This is a settler home and museum where they sell cinnamon rolls in the morning, except they were sold out within 15 minutes of opening!! 

Fruita Campground in the park where I stayed one night.  No cell service and no power, which is a double whammy for me. 

A doe and two fawns just at the edge of the campground.  They must hang around here because there were warning signs about not feeding the deer.  And the orchards were all fenced in with 8' fences for obvious reasons. 

 

 

 

And dad was just down the road a bit.  Mostly, he was chewing his cud and staring at me.

 

It is hard to see, but this gnarled old tree had a lot of burls on it.  Would make a lot of nice bowls.

And an old blacksmith shop.  The door was open, but there was a closed sign, so I did not stop. 

Onward to Escalante, UT, where I have two nights reservations and can get good cell service.