On my way to Capitol Reef, I saw this unique formation on the side of the road. It reminded me of a Native American Hogan.
I also passed by the Colorado River, which is always very exciting for me. About 14 years ago I was able to join a rafting trip down the Colorado River and through the Grand Canyon!
As soon as I arrived in Capitol Reef, I drove to my campground which is just around the corner from the old barn.
This horse lives there at the barn, in the middle of the National Park, but I don't think he was too happy. I don't know a whole lot about horses, but it seemed like he was trying to tell me something. I thought maybe he wanted food, but he had a bunch of hay right in his enclosure. Then he almost kicked me, as if to say, "Get me out of here," but what do I know. Sadly I walked away unable to speak his language.
The sun was setting, and the glow caught me by surprise. I grabbed my camera and got in a few shots before the glow disappeared.
One of my many campsites at Capitol Reef National Park Campground, located in the historic Fruita district. As a result of making my reservations so late, I ended up having to book a different site for each of the 5 nites I was there!
This Showy Milkweed was blooming all over Utah!
I took many drives and hikes throughout the park, but my most favorite was the Scenic Drive behind my campground in the Fruita District. There are so many places where you can stop and take pictures, or get out and hike down the trails.
The Petroglyph Narrows is off of the Scenic Drive, 8 miles south of the Visitor Center. Turn onto the Capitol Gorge unpaved road and when that ends, be prepared to walk. Its very interesting to see the narrow canyon where the Mormon pioneers passed through to bypass the 100 mile long Waterpocket Fold. Many of them carved their names into the sides of the canyon.
There are so many interesting colors and shapes in the mountains and canyons of Capitol Reef National Park. Reddish brown rocks contain rust or iron oxide, Yellow to orange rocks are the result of limonite, and organic matter can create gray, green and blue rocks. The mineral gypsum can be found in white rocks. Quite the rainbow of color!
One morning, right in my campsite, I saw a Robin fly up to this crook in the tree. On closer inspection, I found 4 open mouths just waiting to be fed. That little mama worked so hard bringing food to her babies. The baby bird in the center was the biggest, and for a while he left the nest and was stretching out his wings as if he would fly away! I had to move my campsite the next day, so I couldn't watch them anymore.
One day I took the hike up to the Hickman Bridge. Even though I had taken this hike once before, it was a very hard hike for me as it was all uphill. Age tends to do that to me! But it was well worth it. Along the way I stopped and talked with people, and that was just as enjoyable as the hike itself!
A different perspective of Hickman Bridge, from the other side of the bridge. It changes everything to see things from a different perspective.
The Fremont River flows right by the trailhead, so after my hike, I jumped in the river to cool off!
It all looks very peaceful in the photos, but towards evening, the wind would pick up and blow hot sand in my face and eyes. By my third day of camping in the park, the temperature rose to 97 degrees!
In spite of the heat, it was very pleasant to be there. Both night and day, I carried a spray bottle filled with water and sprayed myself whenever needed. It saved my life!
On my way out of Capitol Reef, I stopped and took this photo of the Navajo Dome, named for its Navajo Sandstone composition and the shape which resembles the capitol dome. The park is wonderful and I recommend visiting Capitol Reef to see these amazing sights.