Camp Cookery
Every ten days or so I restock the fridge in the camper. Part of that process is cooking proteins that I buy in bulk, to be portioned out in salads and such over the days between grocery runs. Chicken and salmon are my goto selections, but occasionally I find a good buy on beef, pork or lamb.
This time I found a package of “London Broil”, a butcher’s marketing label which was applied to a nice top sirloin roast. Sliced thin it made for some fine steak salads. 🙂 As long as the Sportsman’s Grill is hot, I throw on some veggies to make the most of the coals.
Canyonlands National Park
Arches gets the most press, but the sister park Canyonlands is nearly as close to Moab and much larger. So big in fact, that there are four separate areas of the park, each served by its own access roads. I took a day trip to the most popular, Islands in the Sky. The Needles and The Maze would have to wait for another time.
There was a nice interpretive path on the way to the popular Mesa Arch that had good markers identifying the native plants. Here are a few to help you pick out some the more common high desert species.
Much of Canyonlands can be enjoyed by anyone from the many good overlooks just off the main road. Some even feature paved paths to allow wheelchairs to roll right up to the rim (with protective fences of course). If you are more adventurous you can explore the back country by foot or mountain bike. Just be wary there is no water available once you leave the rim!
Upheaval Dome
As sunset approached I hiked the trail to Upheaval Dome, quickly discovering that I chose the wrong footwear. I was wearing my low-rise waterproof work boots, and should have chosen my taller hiking boots for this ankle twister of a trail! I got through fine, but definitely had to slow my pace to ensure I didn’t make any missteps.
Upheaval Dome is a bit of a mystery. Scientists can’t agree whether it was created by an upthrust of a salt dome or impact from a meteor. Accessing the area is very difficult, so it will probably be years before a conclusive study can be made. Right now it makes for some spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. With the light fading, I decided against making my planned final stop at Dead Horse Point. Since it’s a state park my National Park Pass wouldn’t get me in, and it seemed silly to pay an entrance fee for the remaining 15 minutes of daylight. Another destination for next time.
I enjoyed Canyonlands much more than Arches. The scale of the place rivals the Grand Canyon, and there are fewer specific focal points to concentrate visitors. This means the people spread out more, so you have a better wilderness experience at Canyonlands. I still want to return to the area to check out the rest of the “Mighty Five”, but Canyonlands made me forget any disappointment I had about being snowed out of Bryce Canyon.
Next time: Petroglyphs and ghost town exploration in Sego Canyon