Four Corners Inn Blanding

... up just missing the farmer's market but that was okay...I'm sure we'll make it there one of these days. So we parked downtown and walked to Spruce Tree Coffeehouse- a coffee shop I've been wanting to go to since we moved here. It's in a building that used to be a house right on the main strip through downtown- it was very cute inside. It still had the feel of an actual house with several different rooms with tables and chairs and lots of books- it ...

... we got back on the water and the wind had really picked up. It was so windy it would just push us to the bank and no matter how hard we paddled, we couldn't get back to the middle of the river. We finally just pulled over and got out of the boat and waited it out and when it finally died down a little we were able to get back on the water and made it to our next camp.
We had both really been hoping that we would be able to camp at the place ...

... late spring this year, and an unusual amount of rain, so the desert flowers were blooming everywhere. Lots of prickly pear cactus, which bloom in fuschia pink and peach colors as well as the standard yellow we see in southern Saskatchewan. They were everywhere! There was also lots of other flowers, most of which we couldn't identify. And plenty of Pinyon Pine (the kind we get pine nuts from) and juniper with giant juniper berries. All set against a very picturesque wash of ...

... Ballroom Cave Ruins in Butler Wash from an overlook. After that, we hiked up Mule Canyon which gave us a chance to view more unnamed Anasazi ruins tucked away in the canyon ledges. We had the canyon to ourselves, and felt like true discoverers as we'd come across the ruins. It's amazing seeing these remains nestled among the canyons out here. Growing up in Massachusetts, American History naturally began with ...

... canyon itself and had a nice lunch in the shade. I sat and sketched some of the Dr. Seussian features for a bit. We met an unusual man along the way. He was admiring my sketching and we got to talking. He was in his 80's, and had broken bones mended while "in Burma", pins in parts of his body, and at least two stents in his heart - but he was still out hiking. Alone. With minimal ...

... that I actually had to answer! I had thrown myself on him and hugged him, but I hadn't said anything besides, 'oh my God, Silas!'. Of course I said yes! And at this point Silas says I was 'rolling around in the sand' but I don't think I actually was, although I remember having the urge to lay down and make sand angels!! For the rest of the hike all I could think was 'I CANNOT BELIEVE I'M ENGAGED!!!' I really don't think it completely ...

... thank you Wine and Eberhard). Took the next day off and went on a hike with the couple around the largest natural bridges in North America. The German Couple made me a delicious meal which I was very thankful for but I wanted to eat everything. I had two servings and I still wanted more. Greedy, I know.

... new what it was doing here. Dave and I started our day in the town of Escalante at the head of the Grand Staircase National Monument. Right from the very beginning we were treated to amazing vistas that were dull given what was to come. It wasn't long before we located our trail for the day. The Burr Trail is a dirt road that descends from the top of a huge mesa, through slot canyons and treacherous switchbacks deep into the heart of the Capitol Reef National Park. Once at the ...