[a/s] Moab Utah - June 8th 2000

[HHamp5246@xxxxxxx]

Hi Gang,

Yesterday was see everything around Moab day. It started out hot and got 
hotter.  Everyday here has been over 100... and a bit humid.  At least we 
kept going up where there were breezes, but hot breezes.  

I have connected up with a former listie, Don Emerson from Austin, who is 
fulltiming in his '89 34' Limited.  We will be carvanning hopefully from now 
til Bismarck... I really enjoy travelling with someone, seeing the sights 
etc. (c:

First stop was Arches National Park.  It's obviously where all the old timey 
cowboy movies were filmed.  Lots of desert ground, sagebrush and interesting 
red rocks jutting up like stalagmites (tites?) in wild formations.  The huge 
rocks had names like Court House and Jug Handle.  The drive through this park 
took about 1/2 hour.  Including picture stops.

Then a quick trip to the Potash plant. Saw a dinosaur track and some wall 
drawings. Didn't go past it to the 4 WD road.... I think I had seen enough 
without beating the crap out of my truck.

Then after lunch at the trailer, on to Dead Horse State Park. Needless to say 
I hate this name.  Seems some cowboy captured some wild horses and corraled 
them there.  Beore he could get back they died of thirst. )c:  Not 
surprising.  Oddly, this is on open range with cow crossing signs... and I 
saw some cow poops on the road.  I asked a ranger how cows could survive in a 
cat box (ok I didn't say it that way) and she said they are only here in the 
winter and the ranchers have to cart water in to them.  They are moved to 
higher ground in the summer.

This state park has a Grand Canyon feel.... the Colorado winds through the 
canyon. The views are spectacular.... 

Then on to Canyonlands National Park, which is so near Dead Horse you are 
seeing some of the same views from different angles.  This park looks even 
more like the Grand Canyon. The canyon is so deep, you have to hang 
perilously over to see the bottom. That was enough... I feel like I've seen 
enough red rocks and red sand to last me two lifetimes....

Saw lots of cute things... like Kangaroo rats (which I thought were gerbils 
at first) and little lizards.  The lizards are the same red/beige color as 
the ground.... the only time you can see then is when they scoot across the 
road. I need a bumper sticker... Warning: I brake for Lizards.

Of course I do have some souveniers of my visit.  Vinyl petroglyphs things 
for the truck (or trailer) and a gorgeous turquoise necklace. (c:

Next stop?  Somewhere between here and Jackson Hole.... The next 2-3 dys will 
be spent travelling.... Jackson Hole, Yellowstone and Cody Wyoming are the 
number one places I have wanted to visit so I'm getting excited. I am looking 
forward to getting back to green grass and mountains.  The dogs are too.... 
they want grass.  I did find a grass park in town for a quick game of Frisbee 
last night.

No hope of Frisbee anywhere else.  There are horrible sticky things that 
attack their paws.  Can't let them off leash in the desert because of all the 
cottontails anyway.

Gotta go......

Hunter