Tuesday, December 30, 2008

History Lesson: Matrimony Springs

Linny gathers drinking water for Base Camp from Matrimony Springs. Given it's name from the picnic and party area just down the road where couples would frequently leave to get some water which would some months later lead to a wedding. Just to Linny's right in the sandstone rock are genuine dinosaur footprints.

Relax My Friend

With San Diego temperatures hovering around 70, Kobster finds a way to get that deep tan on all parts of his body.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Toys

The Base Camp "toys" have all been put away for the winter.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Monday Afternoon From On Top of Hurrah


A cold China Man watches over the east side of Hurrah and the view looking west from the summit of Hurrah towards Base Camp at the water of the Colorado, the Saddle to it's right and the straight up and down drop off in the distance is Dead Horse Point.

History Lesson: Hurrah Pass



John Shafer would herd his cattle from Schafer Basin to Cane Springs Canyon. At the completion of the first journey the story is John proclaimed "Hurrah, we didnt' lose a single cow." and it's been Hurrah Pass ever since. The China Man watches over the east side of Hurrah and looking west to Base Camp at the river and the Saddle beyond.

Monday Morning




Apparently Linny's snow dance worked.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Snow Dance and Anti Cline



Despite all the snow on the Anti Cline, Linny does the snow dance asking for more.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Dinosaurs and Sunsets




Linny and Tom spend the day at the Dinosaur Museum in Price. Linny "pets" a dinosaur, then the best friends return to Base Camp just in time catch the sunset from on top of Hurrah Pass.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

History Lesson: Pot Ash Plant



Constructed in the 60's the Pot Ash Plant and Mine in 1963 suffered a terrible underground explosion that killed 18 miners. Shortly thereafter mining was altered to flooding the mines with Colorado River water, then pumped into evaporation ponds above ground. There they are filled with a deep blue dye that speeds up the evaporation process leaving potash in it's place. The potash is then collected by bulldozers, loaded onto railroad cars and shipped off to be processed.
1. Pot Ash Plant from Cliffhanger.
2. Pot Ash Plant from the western most tip on top of the Amasa Back.

History Lesson: Amasa Back




In the early days Amasa "Am-aw-suh" Larson kept cows on the fin of the rock that the Colorado snakes around. In time the route to the top became the infamous Cliffhanger jeep trail and as hikers and bikers began using it they developed the trail from top to the bottom into Jackson Hole known far and wide who periodically perish there as Jacob's Ladder.
1. Amasa Back from back porch of Base Camp (center in distance).
2. Cliffhanger and Jacobs Ladder from the Cliffhanger.
3. Jacobs Ladder from the bottom looking up.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

History Lesson: Jackson Hole



The area directly north of Base Camp, bounded by the Amasa Back and the Colorado River, is called Jackson Hole. Named after John Jackson who settled and kept cattle there in the 1890's. The first picture is looking into Jackson Hole from just east of the river and the second looking down into Jackson Hole from on top of the Amasa Back.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Kobae Spends the Day Following Bishop



Don't say the t word, he thinks he's a dog.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Kobae Polishes Up His Magic Act





Now you see the flower, now you don't, now you see the flower, now you don't......

Thursday, December 11, 2008

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood



Kobae, with Bishop tagging along, on a stroll through the neighborhood, or perhaps, he's searching for Ms Rogers.

History Lesson: Meander Canyon



Meander Canyon was first named by Robert Stanton who did the first survey of this section of canyon in the 1800's. The first picture is looking down at the north side from the Amasa Back at the Portal area coming in from Moab and the second is looking south from the top of the Amasa Back towards Base Camp which can barely be seen on the left bank far in the distance. Meander goes all the way to Catarack Canyon which begins at the confluence merger of the Green and Colorado Rivers.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

History Lesson: Dead Horse Point

Tom has heard three explanations as to how Dead Horse Point got it's name.
1. Looking down from this picture Tom took, you see white rock shaped like a dead horse lying down.
2. Horses were herded out on the point, locked up, and forgotten. They became so thirsty they jumped off to get to the Colorado River below.
3. During the Uranimum boom in Moab there was a house of ill repute on the north side of Moab. The local Bishop gave a strong sermon, the wives got pissed, rounded up those of ill repute, drove them to the point and threw them off. The event was written about, but spelled wrong. Dead Whores Point.

Class dismissed.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Kobae Magic Trick



As you can see, Kobae has no shirt on, so nothing up his sleeve. He approaches a dandelion, and poof, it is gone. Magic.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Fueling Up


While all the vehicles in the background appear to be out of fuel, there is one that is always fueling up.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Together Again


Kobae, Bishop, and Chewey on a walk thru a San Diego office park.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Kayenta



Tom spends his 3rd day on the Navajo Reservation waiting for car parts. When going to the shop yesterday to see if the parts had come in they said "No, we didn't order them." When Tom asked "Why." The mechanic said "You have to pay for them up front." Tom said "Why didn't you tell me. I would have." The mechanic said "I forgot." At Holiday Inn, the receptionist said "How many people staying?" Tom said "Just me." The receptionist said "How many beds would you like?"