Fruita Campground, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. Tachometer – 1535 miles
Click here for Pictures.
I got up at 6:30am for a hike that started just across the road from the campground. It was a climb up to Cohab Canyon, from there to Frying Pan Trail for a few miles and then a beautiful side trail to Cassidy Arch. This is quite a large arch that can only be really appreciated and seen by doing this hike. Click here for hike pictures. Legend has it that famous bank and train robber Butch Cassidy (partner of the Sundance kid, see the movie with Robert Redford) hid nearby when escaping from the law. At the arch I met two English hikers, one who has a camera just like mine (Nikon D200). A few days ago it fell into Lake Powell and after drying it up for a few hours it amazingly still works. (He did need to change the lens though).
After the arch I continued with the Frying Pan Trail (where did that name come from?) to the Grand Wash Trail which took me back to the park’s scenic road. Luckily, the first car that passed by picked me up, and dropped me off at the campground.
It was just after 10am and Paola was outside with the kids having fun on the large grass lawn attached to our RV site. This campground is so spacious and fun that we decided to stay another night, even though there is no hookup, no phones, no Internet. We spent the entire day on the lawn, mostly under the shade of some huge trees, just playing with the kids and having fun lazing about.
Ron is getting very good at throwing a Frisbee. Orr can sometimes catch a ball. Shir likes to play with bubbles but instead of blowing into the blower she likes to taste it. There was a small mud patch where all three played with sandbox tool.
After lunch we took a leisurely stroll from the campground along the Fremont river running by, and passed by the famous Fruita Orchards. The girls fell asleep rather quickly and Ron was in good humor because when we got back we took out the portable DVD and watched Nemo together outside on the lawn. The girls did not sleep much and joined Ron for part of the movie before getting bored and moving on to other games.
Throughout the day, Paola and I took turns trying to catch birds in flight with a fast lens on the digital camera. If you are interested in the results, check out these pictures.
In the evening after supper and quick showers (no hookup means get wet, lather up, rinse. Next kid…) we drove to some scenic viewpoints and I took some nice sunset photos.
Back in the campground I am going over plans for the next week or so. It seems we will be in the Moab area as a base for both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.
Good Night,
-Hemi
This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 16th, 2007 at 8:15 pm and is filed under Big Trip, North America RV 2007, Utah. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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