The Big Meander, Summer 2011

scarysharkface

Explorer
Colin, my son, wanted to go back to Moab and run some trails in the Jeep.

With that thought (and not much else) in our heads, and a couple weeks' time on our hands we headed West.

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It was actually cool enough to just leave the windows open..

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At the end of Day 1 we parked it in a KOA somewhere in Western Kansas. We drove late and wanted to shower and hit the road early, so this was the quick and dirty way for us to accomplish that.

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My thinking was to find a convenient spot somewhere in Kansas to depart the Interstate and make for South-Central Colorado..

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The Great Plains has an allure that is hard, for me, to explain.

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The family wasn't so taken with the ample space and understated landscaping. Meh..

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John
 

scarysharkface

Explorer
Maybe what I like is the feeling of exposure.

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Back East we've got electric fences. Out here, the fences are honest, real and beautiful..

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Soon enough we're in the mountains. Find a pullout and throw together some turkey sandwiches..

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To those who suggest the JK doesn't have the oomph for the mountains, yeah, it is pretty gutless, but I was able to keep up with traffic so can't really see the problem.

Again, in the interest of simplicity we end the day at a KOA in Durango. Nice place, clean showers and a known-quantity..

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The kid gets his own tent this time..

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Tracy and I get OUR own tent this time..

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And I fix dinner..

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John
 

scarysharkface

Explorer
Up early again and after a quick stop to fill the cooler we head in the general direction of Canyon de Chelly..

New Mexico, Navajo Road 18, if memory serves..

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Funny thing is, we didn't even stop for any pics of Shiprock. Why escapes me.

Eventually we climb into the mountains along the New Mexico and Arizona border..

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Great roads. Wish I was on the motorcycle..

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Coming down the West side, some nice red rock..

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John
 

Box Rocket

Well-known member
I get excited when I see a new thread from you. Love the photos and that you're getting out as a family! Best way to explore by far! Can't wait to see more.
 

scarysharkface

Explorer
We didn't spend nearly as much time taking pictures as we did maintaining a dialogue about what we were seeing. Folks here live a simple life, in general, lacking so many of the things my son's generation takes for granted. He's got his nose buried in his iPod, cell phone or Game Boy whenever he can, while folks are living with dirt floors and, well, nothing for entertainment. He started to see that, and to recognize that we are quite material-rich.

We did take pics of Canyon de Chelly from one of the overlooks as we spoke about the people of the area.

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My wife, Tracy, has been here before and could speak about some of the challenges and culture a little bit..

[video]http://www.indstate.edu/news/video.php?videoid=582[/video]

So we spent a bit of time looking and pondering and just generally being thankful that we can experience different things in our world..

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I've got to dig up Scott Brady's trip through the canyon, to see what this is like down there..

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We did spend time playing with photography, just enough to determine that Colin's camera is broken..

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We also chatted with a Navajo vendor, and Colin bought one of his necklaces..

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Soon enough we're back on the road..

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Headed in the general direction of Monument Valley..

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John
 
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scarysharkface

Explorer
Next up is Goosenecks State Reserve, just North of Mexican Hat, Utah..

Wish I'd gotten closer to the edge. Glad I didn't get closer to the edge.

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A subtle thumbs-up from a 13-year-old is worth its weight in gold..

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Cool, but hot. 103 degrees and no cover whatsoever, except for a steel structure at the overlook. We thought about camping here, but it wasn't going to happen tonight..

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We moved on..

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John
 

scarysharkface

Explorer
Thanks, All, for the kind words. I recognize that for many this is just a variation on dragging the family out in the station wagon, and as you'll see we didn't spend ample time any one place. There are some elements of adventure to follow, and hopefully Colin will feel the pull of the old places as he comes into his own. He already wants a Jeep.

I'll post more, slowly, as I'm able to sort through what we've shot.

John
 

Renrag

Observer
I always enjoy your adventures as well.

There are some elements of adventure to follow, and hopefully Colin will feel the pull of the old places as he comes into his own. He already wants a Jeep.

Exactly why I take my girls out on what used to be solo trips. My 9yo is already showing signs of seeking adventure. I think I'll be jealous of the places she goes on her own......

mikE(the middle sister gets her first 'Dad trip' in two weeks to CO)
 

scarysharkface

Explorer
I always enjoy your adventures as well.

Exactly why I take my girls out on what used to be solo trips. My 9yo is already showing signs of seeking adventure. I think I'll be jealous of the places she goes on her own......

mikE(the middle sister gets her first 'Dad trip' in two weeks to CO)

Yeah! That's the beauty thing about it. My parents drug me around a bit when I was a kid and some of it stuck. Hopefully I can pay that forward and help the kids realize happiness comes from knowledge and context instead of money and things. I think they'll be okay, and maybe eventually want to drag old crusty Dad along on some of their forays.

John
 

scarysharkface

Explorer
For years I've wanted to ride down it on the motorcycle. It was fun driving up it in the Jeep.

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This is where we came from. It was a neat approach.

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What a beautiful world we live in.

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All hail the Moki Dugway!

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Tracy says I was enjoying myself.

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We drive on across Cedar Mesa, I believe, but it's just going to be uncomfortably hot to camp. We're on vacation, so we head to Blanding and grab a chilly room there..

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We're near the A&W in the travel center, and big frosty mugs of root beer sound good. We order, pay extra for drinks other than water and then discover they're out of root beer.. It's still nice to sleep in a nice bed in a cool room..

John
 

scarysharkface

Explorer
It's a decent enough hour and the sun is climbing when we hit the road. I can't remember what we had for breakfast, although it was probably bagels and fruit.

A little squiggle leading to the Anticline Overlook interests me, so when we make it that far North I pull off to scope it out on the maps..

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The landscape is ever-changing. Each mile holds a new visual treat, or several.

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I'm shooting with an ultra-wide zoom on the Canon, with a circular polarizer which does some interesting things (that I like) to the sky. Tracy's using something more telephoto on the Nikon..

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We have company..

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John
 

scarysharkface

Explorer
Really couldn't ask for better weather this morning..

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Or better company..

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It feels good to get the Jeep covered in desert dust again.

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Mounted a set of Wranger Silent Armor tires just before this trip. Tread looks useful yet highway-friendly, and the notion of kevlar belts seems good. I did also get a second spare for the trip. Peace of mind, and all..

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We're here and sign the book..

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A small hike to the overlook, teenage rock star in-tow..

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I think we all took about 400 pictures of this..

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The smiles are worth the effort.

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Optimism..

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John
 

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