Have Camera, Will Travel.: Natural Bridges to Capitol Reef

August 16
To beat the heat, we got an early morning start out of Moab and headed down Highway 191 to Monticello.

For an early morning coffee, we stopped at this quaint Monticello Cafe.

As the above sign says, this cafe was the only place in town where liquor was served.
Welcome to Mormon country.

It was becoming another brutally hot day as we turned west on Highway 95 and drove to Natural Bridges National Monument.

Even on driving days, we always plan to get in a hike and inject ourselves with our daily dose of endorphins.
This day our hike was down to see the Sipapu Natural Bridge.

The going was easy as we were headed down, but, in the back of your mind was the fact that on your return, you will be going up. Fortunately, this walk was primarily in the shade of a towering cliff.

Emma on the Sipapu Bridge Trail

Sipapu Bridge

The trail down the cliff face became steeper and the views over the edge of the cliff face more impressive.
This brought out my curiosity and a desire to lean out and embrace the view. However, such occasions bring out "Cliff Nanny" in Emma. We dialogue on the merits of safety versus leaning out over the abyss to get the best photograph.

Sipapu Bridge

Unlike the wind and rain-eroded bridges at Arches National Park, these natural bridges were formed by the erosion effects of river water. The rivers have dried up but the natural bridges remain.

Emma Overlooking Sipapu Bridge

At a cool cliff face overlook, we rested and enjoyed the beautiful landscape below.

Our climb back out of the canyon was as challenging and strenuous as expected. Emma was pretty much done for the day but the experience was well worth the effort.

We continued around the circle road in Natural Bridges National Moument. I did the short walks to the overlooks at Kachina and Owachomo natural bridges. Emma was happy to read a book in our air-conditioned RV.

Owachomo Bridge

We pressed on as our destination for the day was Capitol Reef National Park and we had a long way to go.
The beautiful desert scenery added to our trip time as I am always keen to photograph stunning landscapes.
A small herd of Desert Big Horn Sheep exploded across the highway but I wasn't fast enough with my camera to record the occasion.

In the late afternoon, we made it to the Colorado River crossing at Hite. I always admire bridge construction and hopped out for more photos.

Hite Crossing Bridge

Emma was less inspired and happily kicked back and continued reading in our air-conditioned RV.

Emma Chillaxing

Colorado River at Hite, Utah

Hite Crossing Bridge

The scenery around Hite had a special granduer as the Colorado River quietly passed through this tranquil, desolate landscape.

As mentioned, I am enamored with bridge construction. I like birds more but bridges are up there.

Colorado River

The Colorado River is a study in change as it flows out of the Rocky Mountians on its way to the Gulf of California. At Hite, you still see the effects of the Glen Canyon Dam as you are at the eastern end of Lake Powell.

By 7:00 p.m., we were at Caineville and the temperature was still in the 90s. As long as the RV was running, the air conditioning worked but once we turned off the engine, we would bake. For the first time on our travels, we booked a small motel room for the night. The room was very basic but the air conditioning was grand.

As darkness descended, we slipped into the motel pool. Under a shimmering sky of stars we watched toads hopping on the pool deck and hundreds of bats darting about to scoop up insects.

August 17

As a morning rain shower passed overhead, we enjoyed the motel wifi and continental breakfast. Finally, at 11:30, we slowly drove up the scenic route into Capitol Reef National Park.

Our first stop was the small Behunin cabin where a Mormon family of ten used to live. Mom, dad and the two youngest children slept in the 10x10 cabin while the older children slept in the small caves out back.

Behunin Cabin

Capitol Dome

We continued up the canyon created by the Fremont River, while admiring the reddish cliffs on either side of the road.

Fremont River

We stopped to wonder at the Petroglyphs etched into the cliff face.

Petroglyphs

The canyon opened up as we arrived at the junction of the Fremont and Sulphur rivers. The small Mormon settlement of Fruita sprang up here in the late 1800s. There were never more than 10 Mormon families living here but they created a beautiful isolated village surrounded by beautiful groves of fruit trees.

Historic One Room School, Fruita Utah

Emma enjoyed visiting this one room schoolhouse as it reminded her of her monther's first teaching job in a one room schoolhouse on the Sasketchewan prairie.

The Castle Adjacent to the Visitor Centre

After a brief stop at the Visitor Centre, we drove along Scenic Drive to Golden Throne.

Scenic Drive

In the afternoon, we drove back along the Scenic Drive to the campground at Fruita.

The campground was in a beautiful setting of mature fruit trees and lush green meadows which stood in dramatic contrast to the bare red rock cliffs surrounding the settlement.

Domestic animals and wildlife wandered about the campground.

American Robin

Cottontail

Yellow-bellied Marmot

The day was still young, so we decided to hike the Fremont River Trail. This short two-mile hike starts at the campground and follows the Fremont River before rising steeply to a panorama view of the valley below.

Emma Ready For A Hike

Ascending out of the Fremont River Canyon

Common Sagebrush Lizard

The hot dry rocks outside of Fruita did not seem very hospitable for mammals or birds. However, this habitat was ideal for the many lizards that were basking in the sun or darting about.

Panorama View from the Fremont River Hike

On returning to the Fruita campground, we encountered a doe and her two fawns. They were busily eating apples that were falling to the ground from the many fruit trees.

Mule Deer

Mule Deer Fawn

Twins

August 18

After a quiet night in the tranquil Fruita campground, we started the day with a visit to the adjacent Gifford store and museum.

Gifford Farm and Museum

There were fresh home-baked pies at the Gifford store so we purchased a few for lunch.

Gifford Farm House

Cooking Conveniences in the Good Old Days

37) Saye's Phoebe

Outside the Gifford store were several picnic tables in case visitors wanted to eat their pies right away. Pies and people attract flies and flies attract flycatchers. This Saye's Phoebe was definitely having a good time dining out.