The road is beat up more than usual. I had three sets of guests not make it so far this month to include two nights in a row just last week. That makes 13 this year out of six or seven hundred but still, they tried, and didn't make it. A couple of them got talked out of it when they were within just a few miles by people going the other direction who told them there was nothing down here. Every time somebody calls me to tell me they couldn't make it in their Jeep the very next guest is usually a grandma with her two grand kids in a Geo Prism. Since San Juan County has taken this road and the entire Navajo Nation off their responsibility list I'm gonna have to figure something out.
The last cowbird left over the weekend for a warmer climate and like clock work the red-winged blackbirds returned.
The days are short. With the sun coming up behind the Anti-Cline now it knocked off 30 or 40 minutes of sunlight on the lodge. Kobae is ready to go hiking by noon and within a few minutes either side of that is when we go. I have to get all my work done prior. With some guests not checking out until the last minute getting a room clean before Kobae heads down the driveway for the new guests checking in is limited.
Kobae is taking hikes to places he's never been before and that seems to be his goal each day when we leave. He'll be walking down the road and keep staring at something in the distance as if his memory banks are trying to recall if he's been there before and if he thinks not that's where he heads and if he thinks so he focuses on a new location.
It's been a bit different the last month or so. Random people show up and I ask them if they need direction or the bathroom and sometimes they do and sometimes they say they wanted to see the tortoise but just as often lately they want to get their picture taken with me. I don't know what that's about and I probably don't want to know. Even Haydukers have been asking for joint selfies.
I've had a few nice comments about the blog lately of which my favorite was the people that checked out, took turns driving all the way back to Texas while one of them would read the blog, for 15 or 20 hours or so.
When someone reserves online through one of the booking sites they usually write a review about the place and I get a request from the site to rate them also. I've given up on my writing and apologize for not commenting but sometimes I don't get the request for a week or two and by then I've had 10 or 15 more guests and I'm ten reviews behind. Usually their response is pleasant, out of a possible five, I think i've had one three and a one from a lady that was just bat shit crazy. That's not my fault. All the rest have been fours and mostly fives. Over the last month or so though I've gotten some reviews that are really detailed and standout. No names but so well written and positive I'm posting them.
“What an amazing adventure! I am still basking in the beauty and excitement of our trip here this past week. MY husband and two daughters (19 and 21) stayed in the female hogan. Being a frequent Moab visitor and from the Price area, I was semi-familiar with the terrain. However, Tom’s property topped all expectations and was so incredibly beautiful and surreal!! The vastness and beauty of this place is truly unmatched. I can’t say enough good things about Tom, he’s an incredible host. What a great guy to allow people into his space and use his property. We had everything we needed amenity-wise, and more. Tom had coolers of fresh water for us, ample fire wood, nice outdoor grill and patio, utensils, towels, and anything else we needed. The hogan was so cool to stay in!! Very private, nice, clean, and spacious. And the bathroom was nice and clean. The outdoor shower was cool too. It’s closed in, just the top is open. It’s very spacious, with hot water and high water pressure. We showered at night under the stars. From our morning hikes in the canyons, meeting Kobe the tortoise, kayaking the river, playing on our own sandy beach, off-roading to the wind caves and chicken corners, watching my babies dangle their feet over thousand foot ledges, to star gazing and basking in the complete silence and glorious serenity of this place. - it was all an experience we won’t soon forget. The road to get here was long and bumpy. However, we are used to off-roading so it wasn’t too bad. It was a beautiful drive! We went into town a couple times and it took us an hour each way. I’m so thankful very few can travel this road though! This place is truly heaven on earth! Let’s keep it that way! :)”
“We loved our stay at Basecamp as a true "off the grid" experience away from the crowds and surrounded by stunning scenery and animal life at every turn and corner. If you are looking for something unique and off the beaten path of the tourist hoards, a stay with Tom should be high on your list. That said, do take the time to read all of Tom's very thorough and honest instructions in his listing description. He's 100% forthright and he is NOT joking. The drive up and thru Hurrah Pass is not for the faint of heart of those without a 4x4 that has some slightly higher clearance than a standard car. The drive is not for those who have never gone off road before. Basecamp is remote and Tom has lots for you to do, so be prepared to stay once you get there, and bring your own groceries for the length of time. All that is fully disclosed pre-booking, so no surprise. But on to the good stuff: One of the main features is feeding the critters at night. You’ll forget you ever wanted to watch TV when you can sit and watch a family of raccoons feasting right at your feet, or foxes standing off in the distance waiting on their meal too. Kobae the guard tortoise is also a nice surprise to see roaming through the house in the afternoons. The room itself is cozy with a queen bed and mini fridge. Though the prize is really the view from your bed, which is breathtaking at all hours of the day. There are many activities you can do including side by sides, dirt bikes, kayaking, and hiking. You’ll get a more personal taste of the Canyonlands without all the tourists and Tom is probably the single best host/guide you could ever ask for, just tell him what you are interested in and let him whip up an itinerary with maps and gear where he has it. After a week of visiting national parks, which all have their own high points, I can assure you the stay at Basecamp is still the one we will remember and talk about for years to come.”
“Tom's place is unique and amazing. From seeing the foxes, raccoons, skunks and the Ringtail at night to renting the side by side to see the Wind Caves, high cliffs along the Colorado River, hiking the 100 foot narrow path around Chicken Corners, finding petroglyphs and kayaking, this place will keep you busy! What an amazing journey! I would definitely recommend getting whatever food/water you need for your whole stay. You won't want to travel the road back to Moab if you've forgotten anything. There are a few spots that are really sketchy and I am not sure how sedans have gotten to Tom's place. I rented a Mitsubishi Outlander and it was front wheel drive. I would have felt better with AWD as I did get stuck and bottomed out a few times. They way out seemed to be easier than the way in. A lot of rock ledges have paint/scuff marks on them. Don't let this deter you just plan ahead and take a high clearance vehicle and you'll do ok. You just need to find the easiest route when maneuvering the rocks and potholes. It took me almost 2 hours to get there and about an hour to get out. Tom was a great host and this was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. You won't be disappointed!”
I've been carrying around the epi-pen on the right for years and then wound up, I think through Heather, of the more squared off ones that fit way easier in a pocket. Only today after returning with Kobae did I realize that I've been carrying around the "trainer" that teaches you how to use it but doesn't have any ingredients in it to help you.
"It began with an indescribable view on the drive up to our Hogan. Be prepared, it's rocky but Tom let us know this ahead of time. When we arrived we encountered Kobae, the tortois. He enjoyed chasing our dogs around for a bit which had us all laughing for quite some time afterwards. Our Hogan was exactly as captured in the photos with the exception of the beauty you see in every direction. We encountered wildlife daily including big horn sheep, lizards, chipmunks and vast array of birds. We slept comfortably every night without the use of the air conditioning that was available. You must spend the day on the beach and take the side by side to chickens peak. As a family we vacation annually but this trip is the only one that had my children begging to stay longer. We hiked and explored daily, enjoyed coffee and hot coco each morning as the sun came up and the night sky was something that no picture can capture. If your looking for an experience that captures nature, scenery and exploration than this is the place. Some things to make sure you bring: food, sleeping bags, jug of water, tin foil (I found it easier to cook on the flat plate of the grill) and binoculars. We will be back, thank you Tom!!"
SF guys repelling off the cliffs earlier today.
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