I haven’t missed a daily blog post since, well – forever. This morning I did and this is why.
When we left last Wednesday for a camping/photo trip to southern Utah I planned on returning by Saturday so I only prepared and scheduled three blog posts. But the best laid plans of mice and men oft go astray…
Here’s where we spent the last four days – that’s my camping trailer at middle-bottom. It was the kind of camp site we prefer – dispersed camping out in the middle of nowhere, by ourselves and in a spectacular setting. And this time we had the added bonus of birds. Great birds! There was simply no way we could leave before we had to. So we didn’t.
We just got home a few hours ago. This post is meant to explain my unusual “absence” this morning. Tomorrow morning I’ll post my first bird or two from this trip.
Ron
Wonderful to have the choice to not return when you don’t have to.I know I would do the same. I see the camper was right below some tall trees and am curious how productive that has been.I never heard of the term “dispersed” camping before, will have to “google” the expression.Skip the guilt and show us the photos. 🙂
All you needed to do was put that title above that picture. No further explanation necessary! I gazed longingly at the setting while sipping morning coffee and felt amazingly refreshed. Thanks, Ron!
Technically you haven’t missed a daily post…this counts as one;-). I’m so glad you had a wonderful time. Such a beautiful setting! I can’t wait to see your images.
Like minds!!
OK, you took these breathtaking shots of beautiful birds, and we will all wait with baited breath to see them, BUT….
As a geology minor in college, I’m dying to hear what the explanation is for the colors in the rock! Gorgeous scenic shot of your campsite! How did you escape the snow? I thought even southern Utah got snow. We are under 4-5 foot drifts in some places and hardly any in other areas, but it is slowly melting. Can’t wait for warmer weather!!
Dick, these colors are largely caused by iron oxides in ancient sea beds that have been lifted up and then eroded over eons of time. In reality, the colors in this shot are much less intense than they are in many nearby areas. The snow in the region has mostly melted though there still was some at higher elevations.
Good for you! Looks wonderful out there 🙂
It was, Nala – it certainly was.
The best possible reason for not posting. And we will benefit in the fullness of time. And, while I am not familiar with the term dispersed camping, that is what we did growing up. One other family was sufficient incentive for my father to pack up and move. Sadly we camped beside disused mine shafts and slag heaps. Bird watching (even then) would have been much more better.
Elephant’s Child. “Dispersed camping” is generally camping in remote Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management areas with access via rough dirt roads at undeveloped camp sites. Usually all that is there is a fire pit someone has made with a ring of rocks. The solitude and beauty is often breathtaking.
Permission to go AWOL any time if we get to share the sights!
I hope to go AWOL the very next time a weather window of opportunity presents itself, Diane. This one was a blast, especially after the dreary winter we’ve had!
Glad ya’ll had a great trip. Looking forward to those photos.
Thank you, Marvin. I hope some of them are as good as I think they could be but I may be disappointed too, since I’ve only seen a few of them on a laptop. I’ve got lots of culling and processing to do!
Lucky you, Ron. No excuses necessary. So glad it was good enough to not want to leave.
Thanks, Rich. It was “good enough”, for sure.
Ron, I’m so glad that you all took a well-deserved break in such a beautiful setting. Thanks for sharing this photo and the pleasure you partook of. Even your absence is a presence!
“Even your absence is a presence!”
Thanks for that, Alison. I wasn’t sure if this was a worthy post but I wanted to explain…
Good for you! Nice to know there are still remote areas to camp alone. I spent many a weekend as a child like that in the woods of Northern Arizona. Tent, campfire, and nature all around. Life at it’s best. So glad you could enjoy some quiet and beautiful nature that included birds. Do so love those rugged mountains of Utah.
Patricia, Yes, there are still lots of remote areas in Utah – especially in the southern part of the state. It’s not like it “used to be” but it’s still wonderful!
I love dispersed camping where I live too in Central Oregon. So much more peaceful and a chance to see wildlife instead of crammed into a small RV spot a few feet from other RVs. Looking forward to your post tomorrow Ron.
My feelings about camping exactly, Kathryn. In addition to the possibilities of birds and wildlife, there’s no risk of screaming kids, loud partying low-brows, barking dogs, traffic noise – the list goes on.
Sweet! Thanks for thinking of us anyway Ron, we won’t hold it against you…
It felt strange not posting this morning, aka Blue. Even made me feel guilty for some reason…