Sat May 1
(Note that pictures occur in reverse order of days posted.)
We traveled to Bluff, Utah today. On the way we visited the Butler Wash Indian ruins between camp and Blanding. They were in pretty good shape and we could get fairly close. In Bluff we found an RV park to camp and visited Bluff Fort which is run by an independent foundation that is closely tied to the LDS Church. At the visitor’s center we watched a video about the trek and hardships of those called by church leaders to colonize the San Juan area of Southeastern Utah. They planned on a six week trip that turned out to be six months through the winter. One of the most difficult obstacles was down through the “Hole in the Rock” to cross the Colorado River and, in fact, that was just the beginning of their difficult trek. When these pioneers finally reached their destination they founded the town of Bluff and built a “fort” made up of small log cabins in a block pattern all facing the inside along with support buildings such as a blacksmith shop and store. Many families of these ancestral pioneers now make up this foundation dedicated to restoring the original fort. Each family is erecting a cabin in memory of their ancestors and furnishing it with items from that era and, in most cases, including a large pictorial chart of their genealogy. We then had dinner at the Twin Rocks Café and visited a pioneer cemetery on a rocky bluff above the town. The weather continues quite cold and windy.
Sun May 2
We attended church in the local LDS Bluff Branch this morning. It was very inspirational to hear so many Native Americans bear their testimonies. After the block services a break-fast pot luck lunch was held and was very good. We then just took it easy with conversation, games and a movie. It was raining most of the morning but cleared off by evening. We hope for a nice day tomorrow for exploring.
Mon May 3
Today we headed west from Bluff to tour several sites. First we drove the Valley of the Gods road between US 163 and Utah 261. There were many rock formations, some with names, along this road. The most notable was Castle Rock at the northern apex of the road. Once on highway 261 we immediately began the ascent up the Moki Dugway with 11% grades, 5 MPH switchbacks and sheer drop-offs on a graded gravel road that climbs 1500 feet in 3 miles up seemingly sheer cliffs. At the top we took a short drive to Muley Point to view down into John’s Canyon of the San Juan River with Valley of the Gods to the east and Arizona’s Monument Valley in the far distant south. We then descended back down the dugway and drove further south on 261 to another turnoff over to Goosenecks State Park that overlooks a winding San Juan River traveling 6 miles to equal 2 miles as the crow flies in the valley below. It is an amazing view similar to Muley Point. We then drove further south to the small town of Mexican Hat. We crossed the San Juan River into the Navajo Indian Reservation and took pictures of the river and of the rock just north of town that gave the town it’s name. Finally we headed back toward Bluff and stopped at the Sand Island Visitor Station on the bank of the San Juan River. There is a campground and boat launch ramp there as well as a cliff with numerous well-defined hieroglyphics from ancient inhabitants that were available for very close viewing. The weather was cool today but bright and sunny. What a welcome change!
We traveled to Bluff, Utah today. On the way we visited the Butler Wash Indian ruins between camp and Blanding. They were in pretty good shape and we could get fairly close. In Bluff we found an RV park to camp and visited Bluff Fort which is run by an independent foundation that is closely tied to the LDS Church. At the visitor’s center we watched a video about the trek and hardships of those called by church leaders to colonize the San Juan area of Southeastern Utah. They planned on a six week trip that turned out to be six months through the winter. One of the most difficult obstacles was down through the “Hole in the Rock” to cross the Colorado River and, in fact, that was just the beginning of their difficult trek. When these pioneers finally reached their destination they founded the town of Bluff and built a “fort” made up of small log cabins in a block pattern all facing the inside along with support buildings such as a blacksmith shop and store. Many families of these ancestral pioneers now make up this foundation dedicated to restoring the original fort. Each family is erecting a cabin in memory of their ancestors and furnishing it with items from that era and, in most cases, including a large pictorial chart of their genealogy. We then had dinner at the Twin Rocks Café and visited a pioneer cemetery on a rocky bluff above the town. The weather continues quite cold and windy.
Sun May 2
We attended church in the local LDS Bluff Branch this morning. It was very inspirational to hear so many Native Americans bear their testimonies. After the block services a break-fast pot luck lunch was held and was very good. We then just took it easy with conversation, games and a movie. It was raining most of the morning but cleared off by evening. We hope for a nice day tomorrow for exploring.
Mon May 3
Today we headed west from Bluff to tour several sites. First we drove the Valley of the Gods road between US 163 and Utah 261. There were many rock formations, some with names, along this road. The most notable was Castle Rock at the northern apex of the road. Once on highway 261 we immediately began the ascent up the Moki Dugway with 11% grades, 5 MPH switchbacks and sheer drop-offs on a graded gravel road that climbs 1500 feet in 3 miles up seemingly sheer cliffs. At the top we took a short drive to Muley Point to view down into John’s Canyon of the San Juan River with Valley of the Gods to the east and Arizona’s Monument Valley in the far distant south. We then descended back down the dugway and drove further south on 261 to another turnoff over to Goosenecks State Park that overlooks a winding San Juan River traveling 6 miles to equal 2 miles as the crow flies in the valley below. It is an amazing view similar to Muley Point. We then drove further south to the small town of Mexican Hat. We crossed the San Juan River into the Navajo Indian Reservation and took pictures of the river and of the rock just north of town that gave the town it’s name. Finally we headed back toward Bluff and stopped at the Sand Island Visitor Station on the bank of the San Juan River. There is a campground and boat launch ramp there as well as a cliff with numerous well-defined hieroglyphics from ancient inhabitants that were available for very close viewing. The weather was cool today but bright and sunny. What a welcome change!
No comments:
Post a Comment