National Parks of Utah

First off we have to say we are sorry for the lack of blog entries over the 2 weeks or so. We flew home for a couple of days and as funny as it sounds it was an adjustment getting back into the swing of things especially since we played in Vegas for a couple of days and of course everyone knows how that messes things up. :) Then we headed for Kings Canyon and Sequoia, which we can't wait to share with you in a future blog but while we were there we did not have Internet (not good for people who are addicted but it was a nice break from the everyday) so needless to say we are even further behind then before we left, but we are back and ready to continue our updates!!!

There are 5 National Parks in Utah and we have now hit them all. Capitol Reef National Park was 3 of 5 and a step back in time. The nearest traffic light was over 75 miles away, Internet was not even a thought, the park still operated the Apple Orchard that the original founders planted and which the Gifford Farmhouse (also from back in the day) used to make and sell homemade pies and breads (so yummy). The original town of Fruita still had the schoolhouse intact, everything was as it used to be, really makes you think about life past and present.

We stayed in the park at the National Campground at Capital Reef, another "dry" camping experience, so peaceful. A small creek ran behind our campsite, the orchard was in view, a huge field where the puppies could play was there too and we were greeted with the sight of Mule Deer everyday and everywhere around the park.

Numerous scenic drives around the park allowed us to explore the natural beauty of the park with short hikes and a bit off roading in the Jeep. The area was a hideout for Butch Cassidy and many of the sites where named in his honor. The bridge you see here was named for an early settler/explorer Hickman and is over 125 feet high and a 2 mile hike that takes your breath away. (Does every hike have to be up hill?)