Virgin River Canyon, Utah

First, it is worth noting that this is not an easy walk. This is a long, moderately difficult hike that should not be attempted without the proper attitude. Which I, of course, did not have. The only thing that saved me was that Jonathan brought me a professional walking stave and he, and Jenny, and Kelly, and Martin carried all my food and water. That allowed me to concentrate on putting one sore foot in front of the other and stiffling my cries.

Second, this is not a trip for solitude. Many, many people hike this canyon each day and the take-out is at Sinawava. (Valerie called it the back-door to Disneyworld.) Let's just say that one is less likely to be trampled at a Who concert. This is a very unpleasant feature of Zion National Park and summers there are to be avoided.

All that being said, this is one of the most beautiful trips I have ever done. The walls are soaring, the flora is verdant, the river is refreshing. The hiking is never boring. Around every corner is a sight more beautiful than the last. The six or eight miles from the mouth of Deep Creek down to Orderville Canyon are spectacular. This is a place that one must see to believe. If you get the opportunity, and you are modestly fit and not too whiny--at least no whinier than I am--you have got to do this hike.

http://picasaweb.google.com/aorlemann/VirginRiverUtah

Escalante, Utah

We're selling our Escalante house. We've lived in Escalante for five years. And it is a great place to live. But we want to be closer to the four corners. So we have our eye on southern Colorado. In the meantime, we want to sell. The house is comfortable and it comes with five bedrooms--one of which we have used as an art studio. Dean Gledhill is helping us with the sale. A link to his website is attached.

http://www.toprealtyutah.com/
http://picasaweb.google.com/aorlemann/HomeForSale

Barker Reservoir, Utah

For the Father's Day weekend, we went up to the Barkers. We camped in the Gates Group site and it was pretty warm when we set-up. A nap in the shade was comfortable, though. After burgers on the grill, we went to Upper Barker and put our feet in the water. Then we went back for a campfire and marshmallows. On Sunday morning we hiked around Lower Barker and put our feet in the creek. When we packed-up, it seemed hot. By the time we got back to town we knew why: It was 97 degrees. The long cool spring was over. And so was the quiet fire season. The Corn Creek Fire was putting a big column of smoke over Escalante.

http://picasaweb.google.com/aorlemann/BarkerReservoirUT

Montpelier, Idaho

On Saturday we drove to Idaho. Idaho is not one of the four corners states. Idaho is not near Escalante. Idaho is not convenient. Idaho is, however, better than Montana. We wanted to see cousin Catherine and cousin Johanna. They live in Montana. We did not want to drive to Montana. So, we drove to Idaho and made Catherine and Johanna drive there, too.

We stayed in some cabins, swam in the pool, and enjoyed the swing set. I mean, we really enjoyed the swing set. On Sunday we drove over to Bear Lake and played in the water. Then we went for a hike in Home Canyon. But, what we liked the most was the pool (again) and the swing set.

We had to drive all the way back to Escalante on Monday. We had mosquito bites and memories of cousins to keep us company. Now we need to find Uncle Keith a job in the southern Rockies so Catherine and Johanna aren't so far away.

http://picasaweb.google.com/aorlemann/MontpelierID

Mese Verde, Colorado

From Boulder Mountain one can practically see Mesa Verde. Well, not really, but, as the crow flies, it just ain't that far away. But, not being crows, the only way for us was to drive down to Hanksville, cross the river at Hite, go all the way north to Monticello, and then through Cortez. It was a long way. We went down on Saturday and stayed with Valerie in an historic hogan near the museum. We did a few short hikes on Sunday, but a trip into Cortez on Monday and another on Tuesday used up the rest of our time. This one was mostly about driving, I'm sorry to say.

http://picasaweb.google.com/aorlemann/MesaVerdeCO

Cedar Wash, Utah

Mark and Kristi came down for wind season after the resort closed. They came to Escalante on the day that Valerie left for Mesa Verde. So, they knew that they would be cooking for themselves. And washing the dishes. Plus, Ellen wasn't feeling well, so Kristi got to practice medicine for free. All in all it was a good deal for the Orlemanns. We tried to go for a hike at Cedar Wash Arch, but Ellen wasn't up for it, so we sent them to Egypt. After a couple more days with the Monument gnats, they returned to town for showers. We let them buy us dinner, make us breakfast, vacuum the house, and cure the common cold. OK, I made up the part about vacuuming. But, really, Ellen was sick, and I ain't much of a house dad.

http://picasaweb.google.com/aorlemann/CedarWashUT

Durango, Colorado

I went to Durango for work. I was indoors all day. But, in the evenings, I looked around. The Animas Valley is beautiful. I can see why it is spralling with commuters. I drove up to Purgatory. It is trying to be a resort now, too. The whole place is beautiful. The whole place is busy. Busy, busy, busy. Welcome to the new west, I guess.


http://picasaweb.google.com/aorlemann/DurangoCO

Pet Hollow, Utah

On Saturday we went up the Pet Hollow Road until we got to the Forest. We found a place to camp in a wash on the oil field. It was a pretty nice afternoon and the sun was warm. But the wind was just starting. Once it started, it didn't stop. It blew and it blew and it blew. It blew hard and it blew cold, and it blew some more. And did I mention the wind? We went for a hike in Pet Hollow, but had to eat dinner in the camper to keep the sand out of our teeth. It was windy all night, and all day Sunday. We hiked some more, but finally went home for a Sunday afternoon nap out of the wind.

http://picasaweb.google.com/aorlemann/PetHollowUT

Fine Art in Salt Lake City, UT

I made this picture in Alvey Wash last year. Valerie subsequently did a painting from the same area. That painting, and a dozen others by Valerie, will be on display at the Wine Store (255 S 300 E) in Salt Lake City starting next weekend. Valerie will be showing with Joshua Baird, a painter from Kanab, Utah. For this exhibit, the two artists have agreed to donate 10% of any proceeds to the Grand Staircase Escalante Partners. Check out websites for Baird and the Partners, below. Plus, Orlemann and Baird made the front page of the Southern Utah News. Check that one, too.

http://joshuabaird.typepad.com/

http://www.gsenm.org/

http://www.sunews.net/weekly/frontpage.pdf

Alta, Utah

On Monday I drove to Park City. On Tuesday I skied Alta with Mark and Kristi. Since it was my only ski day for 2007/2008, Mark thought we should warm up with a short hike to Gunsight. It was cloudy, the wind was blowing, and the light was flat. I couldn't see what I was skiing so I mostly skidded down on my edges. It wasn't really skiing, but, hey, there is no shame in a traverse. After that, we took a few runs on the Albion side. That helped me gain some confidence, especially after Mark let me ski the Rabbit. We went back over and took a couple of laps on Wildcat. The light was really flat and Kristi was having trouble seeing, so we took a break and sent Mark back to the truck for a couple of beers. He reached into the case, pulled out two bottles, and carried them back to us across the parking lot. One of them was empty. Kristi got a good laugh; Mark was really depressed; and I insisted on drinking at least six ounces out of the full bottle. Later, Kristi took a break in the lodge and Mark and I skied a bunch of laps off the High Traverse, including Alf's from the top. It was really fun, but my legs were done by about 3:30. After I fell on my face in front of some beginners side-stepping down Corkscrew (they were side-stepping, I was trying to ski), I told Mark that we'd better call it a day before someone got hurt. We headed for tacos at the Lone Star and, by Friday, my legs had stopped hurting. I truly enjoyed my 2008 ski day and I can't wait to do it again in 2009.

http://picasaweb.google.com/aorlemann/Alta