Date: Sun, 20 Oct 1996 Subject: The Saga of a Steel Magnolia in Utah

Hi All,

This edition is dedicated to my parents. Explanations to follow.

Katherine and I headed out last Friday on what may be our last trip for a while. Alas, but winter comes our way and a winter storm watch is forecast for Salt Lake City and environs. We had planned to camp out on the mountains overlooking the lake, but we decided to make a run for the southern part of the state. Katherine wanted to see Arches National Park, so we headed out in that direction.

Friday night saw us camping in the sorriest campground that I have ever seen. The only good thing that I can say is that they had one spot open. I wanted to get at least half way to Arches and spend the night. We drove into the unending darkness for what seemed a lifetime before arriving at what was supposed to be the halfway point. Well, the ABC Motel/RV Park and oh-by-the-way Campground (name changed to protect the guilty) was there exactly where the map said it would be. What the map didn't say was that it was a dump. The teenage attendant who was busy with her friends was surprised that I wanted a tent site and said that I could have any one that I wanted. I paid my money and went over to the 'grassy' place where she said I could set up the tent. Now, 'grassy' spot turned out to be a scrub/rock covered patch without even a grill or fire pit. For the first time in memory, I was tempted to get my shovel out and dig a big hole, a really big one. But I was tired. So, we got the tent up and went to bed pronto without even a cup of tea.

Saturday arrived bright and clear. We broke camp as fast as possible and left that miserable spot behind. There was adventure beckoning ahead of us. Arches National Park is 5 miles out of Moab in red rock country and it's a favorite area of mine.

I last saw the park ten years ago and the lure hasn't changed. I remember the intense July heat, the intense color of the red rock against the blue sky and my fascination with the holes that Mother Nature put in the sandstone. Arches in stone. A fantastic sight to see. Katherine and I drove the entire length of the park (18 miles) and stopped where ever possible and walked out into the desert to see the arches. The park has greatly expanded the access to these wonders. Ten years ago, you had to do quite a bit of walking to get close to the arches. Now, you can drive up to a viewing area and see Delicate Arch without having to walk more than 100 feet. The only fly in our ointment was the wind. The wind was blowing so strongly that it was hard to hold the camera steady. We walked as much as we could to see as much as possible. The rain came in the late afternoon. Wet and cold aren't our favorite combination so we cut back on our tramping over the red rock.

In every direction we are surrounded by mammoth cliffs of red Estrada sandstone layered with the buff colored Navajo sandstone. The wind erosion is fantastic. You can see cliffs 2000 feet tall with delicate sculptures adorning their walls, the remains of previous sculptures are crumbled at the bases. We stopped to look at a beautiful band of green on the red rocks. It's cryobiotic soil gone wild I think. Tiny living plants that are literally eating the rocks and creating soil. I wondered if the Appalachians had ever looked like that. If you stripped the flesh off of the earth and left only the bare bones, would it have looked like that, I don't know. The Appalachians are gentle and rounded, what they must have looked like 200 million years ago is beyond me. I will live in only a brief instant compared to the rocks around me. Kinda puts you in your place...doesn't it.

We headed back to camp through the valleys of beautiful red monuments. You can see the arches on the horizon as you drive. Wow. Actually, Katherine did most of the rubber-necking. Due to the road, it was better for me to pay attention to my driving.

In order for you to get a camp site in the park itself, well you almost have to be there when they open up to have a chance. So, we found another one outside the park. The campground that we found was on the banks of the Colorado and infinitely better than the last one. Right across the road were towering cliffs, a most pleasing sight. We set up the tent and got dinner on as quickly as possible. By now, we were tired and it was getting cold. Katherine grilled pepper coated steak and served it with fried potatoes and whole corn. I love camping, indeed I do. We went to bed happy.

The wind came again during the night and it rained very hard. I thought that there was hail at first, but it was just a hard rain. We just snuggled into our sleeping bags and enjoyed the sound. Too bad we didn't have a tin roof to sleep under, that really brings back memories.

Sunday morning started off cold and partly overcast. The storm clouds coming over the mountain looked unfriendly. I got the charcoal started and fixed hot tea while the bacon fried. Bacon and eggs are my favorites at camp, but this time we did pancakes, too. For desert I did a chocolate raspberry dump cake. We sat and ate breakfast and admired the morning as it progressed. This is a special day, it's my birthday. I couldn't think of a better place to celebrate it. I hadn't told any one because it just isn't my style to do so. But, my parents remembered anyway. They sent a package and I waited until now to open it. Trust them to know my likes. They sent me a rock. A beautiful rock. My favorite rock in fact. Opals have always fascinated me and I will cherish this one. In this place I can reflect on my life as it is at this moment. What talents I have, I believe that God gave to me. But, my Mom and Dad were there for me every day and they helped me to become the person I am today. If in any way you like what you are seeing, please say a little thanks to them. They are the best.

Well now, it was time to get going so we finished breakfast and broke camp. I hadn't heard any news from Salt Lake so we didn't know what the weather would be like. Rather than go back through the mountains, I chose to go on I-70. It was the best decision yet. We drove west through a fantastic land of cliffs stretching horizon to horizon, and every kind of magical creation that could be gotten through the efforts of wind and water. The road went on through nearly 100 miles of this. We stopped at almost every rest stop and took pictures. Magnificent, awesome. The road went up and down one plateau to the next. It felt like we were driving on top of the world. We were up above the valleys and looking down on everything. When the sun came out, the colors were blinding. I could stay out here a long time.

But, all too soon it was time to leave the road and head north. The clouds have been gathering and we have already come through several small snow showers. What is in front of us is an ugly shade of blue/gray that means trouble. The mountains are frosted in snow. It looks like a scene on a gingerbread house. As we go farther north the clouds thicken and we start to encounter real snow. The snow looks like something from Star Trek or Star Wars with tiny points coming at you just like the warp effect. Aye Captain, warp nine! Well, not actually but close. :-) Katherine was fascinated with the snow. She doesn't get to see much of this elusive stuff in Georgia. The visibility is down to maybe a mile and those leaden gray masses are surrounding us. It's kinda strange because the sun breaks out of tiny places in the clouds and the effect is really neat.

All too soon, we arrived back at our apartment in Layton. With another adventure behind us, we unloaded the truck and settled in to watch the snow fall.

Take care and write when you can.

Jan Noble, steel_magnolia@mindspring.com

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