Tuesday, April 22/2014

It is chilly and windier than all get out so it looks like the quad trip planned for today is postponed and we will be taking a road trip in the truck.  There are a few good roads throughout the Swell that are suitable for a full sized truck so we are off to explore the North section past the Recreation Area on the San Rafael River.

More skyline

We travelled through some beautiful country today with many a picture stop.   The terrain varied is some areas, especially around the river where the huge cottonwoods grew and the colour green was so very vibrant.

Incredible color

The Bottleneck…….I don't know about that….you decide!!

A little lizard for Kimmy!!

The San Rafael River from the bridge

Apparently there is good kayaking on the river
in this area

The "old" bridge.    It is a suspension bridge that is 140 feet long.

side view of the bridge

The road followed the river.  Huge cottonwood trees
followed the river as well 

Petroglyghs (carved in the stone)

Our travels took us past the petroglyphs and pictoglyphs and we spent a bit of time here looking at the fantastic history displayed on the walls.   They had little plaques up to explain some of what we were looking at and that alone was a big help.

Pictoglyphs (painted on the stone)

Humans and Snakes

Holes in their chests

Rain Angels????

This was the best panel we have seen this year

Tunnels that the Dept of Defence blasted into the sandstone
during WWII.

We then passed the Morrison Knudson Tunnels.  There were a secret Dept of Defence undertaking during WWII to see how far the Navajo Sandstone could be tunnelled into and to what degree of outside explosive blast the sandstone could withstand.   I am sure there was more to it than this but basically I think that was it!!

We also passed along side some of The Old Spanish Trail today.  This is a historical trade route that connected New Mexico with California.  At about 1200 miles long, it travelled through mountains, arid desert and deep canyons.   It is considered the most arduous of all trade routes ever established in the United States.  It was explored early (1500s) by the Spanish…..hence, its name.

The Wedge Overlook

The Wedge Overlook is a huge the juts out over the San Rafael River hundreds of feet below.  The wind here was incredible and I wondered just who would use the campsites that had been established up here!!   It was a definitely "no hat on your head" day for sure!!   The scenery here was phenomenal and looked rather unworldly.   Once again, I couldn't help but feel blessed to be able to actually see so much of the continent we call home.

The huge canyon that went on for miles

part of The Wedge Overlook

Truly an unworldly site

The San Rafael River waaay down below!!

absolutely beautiful scenery - one
of my most favourite pics of the day!

Our journey ended when we arrived back on the pavement of highway 10.   We stopped to pick up a few groceries, gas, ice and water and headed back to the interstate which in turn took us to our exit and back to camp.  We travelled 149 kms today and saw some incredible sights.   Hopefully tomorrow, the wind has gone down and we are back on the quads.

It may not look like it but,  these are huge boulders!!